“Making a Difference out of our Differences”

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Can we make a difference out of our differences?” I believe we can. However, it is a huge undertaking and requires a tremendous commitment. Take inventory of the many things going on around us and you would agree that the majority of society is headed in different directions. The result is that the disproportionate are falling further behind. “Only when we take the time to see what is different about us can we truly see what is common among us.”

Finding this mutual point sets us on track to make a difference and allows us to move forward on a common agenda for the betterment of humanity. To begin, we need to do three things. First, we recognize the fundamental need for us to make a difference; secondly, we accept that life gives us an appropriate and purposeful opportunity to make a difference; and thirdly, we exercise a committed willingness to make a difference.

For years we were cautioned on the dangers of allowing the continued erosion of the three pillars of our traditional society (home, church, and school). Given the grave state of affairs today we must work harder at trying to make difference out of our differences. The good news is that we are not short on opportunities. Just turn on the television, go online, or pick up a newspaper to find an opportunity to make a difference.

In order to make a difference we need to periodically access how it is that we may be of service to others. Humbling ourselves to a position of service allows us to be appropriately guided into a chosen opportunity. It also means that we are at the right place at the right time to truly effect a positive change where and when most needed.

Were Dr. King here today, I feel he would challenge us to continue the struggle. It is also our moral and ethical responsibility to cry out on behalf of humanity when we witness devastating injustices and wrongs. Hearing with a deaf ear or looking with a blind eye is unacceptable and fosters an immoral system of complacency. The attitude of “not in my neighborhood” or “it doesn’t affect me” or “it is someone else’s responsibility” should not be tolerated. We are in deed our brother’s keeper and as such, we need to take advantage of these rare opportunities.

We can’t fully make a difference unless we pursue change with a committed and willing heart. Early civil rights leaders believed in committing to a cause or struggle so strongly that not even death could deter them. Although they suffered great indignities, their true message was that the purpose was greater than the moment of peril. Today we enjoy the fruits of their struggle.

Dr. King also reminded us that can make a difference if we would only commit to a common purpose or need. That’s what Rosa Parks did when she decided to take advantage of the bus opportunity. Responding to the need and taking advantage of our best opportunity means that we can truly make a profound difference out of our differences.

If we are to reclaim our village so that our children feel safe to play in our yards and our elders look forward to enjoying their golden years, we need to make a difference. Additionally, based on the number of complaints filed, we have yet to achieve equality and fairness in the work place, so we still need to make a difference.

Our young men and women are continually disillusioned about life when they see law enforcement racial profiling, courtroom injustices, and jails full of innocent victims. Until every person feels that the pendulum of due process swings fairly for all and the scales of justice are fully and equally balanced, we still need to make a difference.

Some fifty years after the historic Supreme Court “Brown vs. Board of Education,” we are still fighting racism and discrimination in our schools and colleges. As long as teachers are not being provided adequate resources and children are being left behind, we still need to make a difference.

The social and economic divide in our nation continues to grow. Likewise, more and more people are unable to get basic health care and catastrophic diseases are at an all time high. I believe we still need to make a difference.

Our mission is very clear. Your willingness to make a difference must be based on your conviction that the need is just and absolute and the chosen opportunity will yield a changed society. A willing heart will stay the course in the struggle for justice, equality, and freedom and work to ensure that every person is treated with the basic human rights and dignity of their creator.

Look around you - see the difference. See what separates us and also see what makes us one. By not acknowledging what we have in common, we only focus on our differences. Thus, we allow ourselves to disenfranchise, discriminate, dishonor, disengage, and/or discourage. To the contrary, when we respect what is common among us we are able to see our differences. This allows us to accept, encourage, and honor all of humanity. To this end we are able to make a difference out of our differences.