Sitting at the Table of Brotherhood

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

On this fortieth anniversary of the assassination of Dr. King, we can expect both poignant reflection and political posturing. In the clamorous and media-heavy atmosphere, it is rare to find something that touches on both of those themes.

Senator McCain, speaking at an event with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, said that he was wrong for his initial opposition to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. He was met with boos, but also people yelling out their forgiveness, and one loud voice saying "we all make mistakes."

To the extent that he's a politician at an event, there is a sense of the political posturing ... the press "moment." This sense is greater for his being a Republican; such posturing is often unconditionally admired among Democrats. (Who can forget President Clinton's unashamed tears in church?)

Yet there is something to be said for the display despite that. Cynicism can be set aside long enough to remember that the Reverend Dr. King was a messenger of not just peace, but forgiveness. Dr. King was a genuine figure of hope in America. I don't doubt that he would have warmly received an apology such as that from Senator McCain today.

Yes, love - which means understanding, creative, redemptive goodwill, even for one's enemies - is the solution to the race problem. - Martin Luther King, Jr., 1957

The political cynic in all of us will likely dismiss this as opportunism before a generous crowd. However, in some sense we must appreciate the broader implication of the scene; we should consider the broader concerns of all humanity. This a chance for us to sit "at the table of brotherhood", and some in that audience were ready for it.

Senator Obama's speech "A More Perfect Union" elicited a chorus of voices calling for transformative healing of our many divisions. When the Republican nominee extends his hand seeking forgiveness, it is the test of what Senator Obama presents as his clarion call.

Senator McCain said exactly what he ought to have said. That he was wrong; that he was sorry for it. If you were in the crowd, would you cry "we forgive you" in the spirit of Reverend King's and Senator Obama's words? Or will you be the cynic and dismiss him out of hand? If this is the time for healing the nation, then let it begin. Don't let us have once more that "appalling silence of the good people."

This is the chance to make truth from rhetoric. My inner cynic wonders if anyone will take it.

"We can be slow as well to give greatness its due, a mistake I myself made long ago ... when I voted against a federal holiday in memory of Dr. King. I was wrong, I was wrong."
- John McCain