History regards Dr. King as one of America's greatest heroes, famous for taking to the streets to peacefully confront the forces of evil and bring civil rights for all Americans and also to bring enormous pressure to help end the Vietnam War.
If he were alive today, would he take to the streets to oppose the Iraq and Afghan Wars? Would he confront Wall Street and the Obama Administration in front of the Lincoln Memorial, appealing to America's conscience, calling for an end to corporate bailouts and an end to lobbyist control of our government?
Or with today's technology, would he do as most Americans do, stay in the comfort and safety of his home and occasionally voice his feelings on a computer? Would he take to the streets demanding new controls over Wall Street and protection for the U.S. consumer or would he stay in front of his TV set, watching his favorite shows and twittering his buddies, while posting on Facebook?
My friends, I know there are few organized opportunities for you to take peacefully to the streets to express yourself, for today there are no great leaders like Dr. King. But for a cause that really matters to you, the greatest leader of all is you.
Nothing stops you from speaking at your house of worship, at a club or a college or a gym. Here in the Los Angeles area, each Wednesday night for an hour, I go to a busy street corner, light a candle and display a sign that reads:
"My candle is lit in memory of all who have died or been seriously wounded in the War in Iraq [and Afghanistan]. It is also lit in consideration of the pain and loss felt by their families." This is not just another piece of email. Many thousands of people have seen this vigil in its four years, and some of them express themselves or even join for a little while.*
You too can touch the lives of others. Just as Dr. King appointed himself a civil rights and anti-war leader and Gandhi appointed himself to free India from British control, if you can spare as little as an hour a week, you too can appoint yourself and take to the streets to make a difference.
Dick (updated 4/5/10)
*To see the vigil summaries, please visit http://candlelightvigils.blogspot.com/
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