Life, Legacy and Lessons: Why King Mattered
ATHENS, Ohio (January 18, 2001) -- Sometimes America doesn't like to hear the truth. But Michael Eric Dyson, much like his mentor, Martin Luther King, Jr., is not afraid to tell the truth as he sees it. Dyson spoke at Ohio University's Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, Jan. 17 in celebration of Dr. King's life. He addressed the topic, "Why King Mattered."
With a subtle hip-hop style and a strong, attention-demanding voice, Dyson delivered a multitude of noteworthy messages encouraging empowerment and pride. His goal was to show the way you live your life is what matters, not the color of your skin, religious background, gender or any other difference. America should embrace its diversity, Dyson said.
"Use your life as a vehicle to relieve suffering," Dyson said. "The basic litmus test for our dignity is our capacity to love people that are put in the margins."
White and black Americans discounted King during his fight for equality. He faced concrete challenges and convictions, but continued his struggle to reveal the realities of inequality to America. According to Dyson, the difference between King and everyone else of his time was his willingness to risk his reputation for what he believed.
"King didn't poll the nation and ask what he should say," Dyson said. "He risked his reputation to tell the truth about America." In today's society, "we check to see if we can speak up," he added.
America doesn't like truth-tellers, because sometimes the truth is hard to handle. But if America does not acknowledge the sufferings of the past, he said, it will become the "United States of Amnesia."
Dyson shared his ultimate reason why King mattered: he taught America to have pride.
"King told us to embrace our culture and empower ourselves. Our dignity is in our diversity."
Michael Eric Dyson, critic, scholar and ordained Baptist minister, is a leading voice in the African-American community today. His most recent book, I May Not Get There With You: The True Martin Luther King, Jr., is available in stores now.
