Great People: Martin Luther King, Jr.

Many years ago Rev. Sun Myung Moon was asked to name one person whom he admired greatly in the United States. His answer was, Martin Luther King, Jr. Recently, I read some comments made by Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy a few months after the death of her husband about Rev. ML King. The comments were not kind and reflected a particular moment in time. They left me with a “bad taste” in my mouth.

Rev. ML King has been regarded with admiration because of his dedication to a peaceful revolution that would bring equality of rights in America to all people. Recently I also read a long letter that was written by Rev. ML King while in jail in Alabama (click here for full text of the letter). The letter is very clear about his thoughts and his plans. I found nothing wrong with his way of thinking. He had a plan he carried out that plan to the best of his abilities. And because of his efforts, basic human rights, long overdue, were granted to a significant segment of our population in this country of America that until his time had been marginalized and badly mistreated.

I think what I am trying to say is that great people are great because of the way they think and because of what they try to achieve due to their great thinking. That does not mean that on the way to accomplishing their goals they will not make mistakes. Should we disregard the greatness of an individual solely because of his or her faults and weaknesses? We may be displeased and we may wish them to be perfect, but, regardless of their imperfections these people, ultimately, helped in the creation of a better world for all.

There are few people that in the course of history, and some in our world today, that through their actions are influencing the whole world for the better. Most of us do not have the ability to emulate them, our responsibility then is to support them and help them fulfill their divine mission. Their victory will be ours as well.