Let Justice Roll Down
As we honor the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his fight for civil rights today, I’d like to high-light another civil rights leader who has continued to fight for racial equality: Dr. John Perkins. 
End to Racism
MLK, Jr. began fearlessly and nonviolently fighting for civil rights in 1955. His impassioned speeches motivated others to join him. His “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963 called for an end to racism. In 1965, MLK, Jr. was assassinated because of his beliefs. But his legacy still continues after 53 years. As well-known as MLK, Jr. was in the civil rights community, John Perkins was spreading the same message in Mississippi. After giving his life to Christ in 1957, John began fearlessly and nonviolently fighting for civil rights for his black brothers and sisters. He, like MLK, Jr., faced beatings, slander, and false imprisonment in the fight for racial equality.
Let Justice Roll Down
His book Let Justice Roll Down gives detailed accounts of the atrocities done to the black community in the 1960’s. It also describes his tireless efforts to help blacks vote, receive Christian education, and build co-ops to strengthen the economy of the black community. The title of his book came from this desire: “I kept on longing for the day when it would be Christians in the forefront, taking seriously the words of the prophet Amos:
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (5:23, RSV)
A Quiet Revolution
In October of 2016, our church hosted “One Sunday: Responding to Racial Tension” with Dr. Perkins. It was clear Perkins feels a sense of urgency with regards to racial reconciliation. “There is a quiet revolution happening. God is moving in issues of race and ethnicity,” he shared. “Christ chooses to use us broken people to cause change.” After hearing Dr. Perkins’s impassioned discussion with our pastor, I found myself thinking about his words. He is well-known for saying, “Love is the final fight.” As terrorist attacks and the divide among races in our country continue, I know he’s right. Love IS what it’s all about.
Love is the Final Fight
In 2009, the band Switchfoot honored Dr. Perkins by including his famous saying in their song “The Sound.” Check it out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNQgABsUfK8
Leave a reply (below):
On this day of honor and remembrance, I wonder if we could on purpose choose to interact with others IN LOVE. Our flesh often defaults to being politically correct, offended, defensive, or wanting what’s in our best interest.
What if we “fight” past those defaults and choose love instead? Imagine what our world would look like!
Paul said that the greatest of things was love. And Christ was nothing BUT love-love for ALL people. He never discriminated or said “Yeah, but….”. Having been a nurse for over 25 years I can tell you that we are all the same in the inside. Everyone of us no matter what that color on the outside bleed the same color. I remember so well taking care of a young man with white supremacy tattoos all over his chest. There was a black doctor, an Indian doctor and a Muslim respiratory therapist-and me-working feverishly to save his life. One of his tattoos was very vile toward the black race. The black doctor never even hesitated. I wondered what the man would have thought if he had been awake and able to see the people working so hard to save his life. Have never understood the hatred of another person because of their skin color. I think about what God has sent us out into the world to do and the love and grace that he has shown us…and how the human race messes that up so often. luckily for us He is a God of mercy.
Great Blog, Melony and Amazing example, Shannon! God bless!
I LOVE your example! How true that we all bleed the same!
Your words are inspiring! Thank you for sharing!
It saddens me that we have gone backwards in this issue. I hope one day we can all learn to love and appreciate each other for who we are.
Thank you for sharing this post with me on my Facebook page. A powerful message we all need to live. My desire is to live the love of Christ to all. Satan is having a field day in the church. We must stand firm and fight with love (verb) not react with selfish emotion. We can do this through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Yes! Yes! Yes! It was so powerful to hear him speak. His passion for healthy and even vibrant race relations was evident.