Justice for All

This morning I watched the TV as President Barack Obama was inaugurated for his second term.  By noon I was standing inside the Idaho Statehouse for the Martin Luther King, Jr. / Idaho Human Rights Day State Ceremony.  The highlight was the Keynote Speaker, Rev. Percy “Happy” Watkins, who performed Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

I was struck by the similar themes—justice and equality—in President Obama’s speech and that of Martin Luther King, Jr.  Obama spoke about the little girl born into poverty having the same chance to succeed as any other American—because she is equal in the eyes of her fellow citizens.  King spoke of his dream that one day his young children would be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.  And, for the first time during an inaugural address, the President spoke of the need for equal rights for gays and lesbians, equating it to the women’s suffrage and civil rights movements.

Isn’t this what most Americans want our country to be?  A land of justice for all?  A country where no person is better than anyone else, where every person is equal?  Clearly, judging from our current politics, not everybody thinks this way.  However, in my heart I believe most Americans want to live in a country where justice reigns.  For me, as a Christian, this is important.  Accordingly, I will treat my fellow human being as equals and work for justice.  I hope my fellow citizens will do the same.

1/21/2013