A great person and leader always leaves the coming generations with many writings and quotes to look back on as a guiding tool and inspiration. Often times these quotes are supportive, uplifting and in defense of a particular group of people.
These words of these great leaders also come with criticism of the people who they champion. The criticisms at times are more important than any other quotes and writing because they serve as a correction from within. If those in the camp are corrupt, how can they influence the outsider with any measure of credibility? If there is unchecked immorality within, then self destruction is sure to occur.
We also know that the quotes and writings of godly people are often time sensitive and are given for a specific time and purpose. Through the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, these quotes or writing are launched to serve the people.
Dr. Martin Luther King was one of those great leaders. He had many quotes that uplifted and defended the rights of African Americans, and we know them well. However, he also admonished the African American communities and pointed out things that were, and still are morally wrong amongst his people. Below is one of his quotes from 1961:
“Do you know that Negroes are 10 percent of the population of St. Louis and are responsible for 58% of its crimes? We’ve got to face that. And we’ve got to do something about our moral standards,” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. told a congregation in 1961, two years before his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. “We know that there are many things wrong in the white world, but there are many things wrong in the black world, too. We can’t keep on blaming the white man. There are things we must do for ourselves.”
The following quote. I believe was for a time such as then, and is even more pertinent today. But you will never hear or see this courageous and succinct self-criticism coming from our own civil rights leaders. They’d rather blame someone else. Until we take responsibility for our own actions and hold ourselves accountable, our future will continue to be dim. I challenge our leaders today to take a stance, and I challenge our young people to desire more for themselves. Start with yourself and find the courage to forge your own path. Stop blaming others for your own social and moral problems. As my wife always says, “Poverty is not synonymous with immorality.” We have to first start looking in before we go looking out.
J.R. Tracey+
The Branch Life 