Debbe Kennedy, author of "Putting Our Differences to Work", in a recent blog posting shares how in the book, "A Testament of HOPE: The Essential Writings of Martin Luther King Jr.", edited by James M. Warrington, there appears the following address that Dr. King gave at the First Annual Institute for Non-Violence and Social Change titled, "Facing the Challenge of a New Age." The speech was given in Montgomery, Alabama in December 1956. I want to share what Ms Kennedy pulled out of King's speech with the modification she makes of changing the century. This address is a profound call whispering to us from another time calling us to be a part of a new generation of leadership that masters putting our differences to work through our thinking, actions, and behavior when no one is watching.
FACING THE CHALLENGE OF A NEW AGE
"Those of us who live in the twenty-first century are privileged to live in one of the most momentous periods of human history. It is an exciting age filled with hope. It is an age in which a new social order is being born. We stand today between two worlds---the dying old and the emerging new.
...another thing that we must do in speeding up the coming of the new age is to develop intelligent, courageous and dedicated leadership. This is one of the pressing needs of the hour. In this period of transition and growing social change, there is a dire need for leaders who calm and yet positive leaders who avoid the extremes of "hot-headedness"... The urgency of the hour calls for leaders of wise judgement and sound integrity---leaders not in love with money, but in love with justice; leaders not in love with publicity, but in love with humanity; leaders who can subject their particular egos to the greatness of the cause."
Then Dr. King goes on to paraphrase Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819-1881), a poet and novelist, this way:
God give us leaders!
A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands;
Leaders whom the lust of office does not kill;
Leaders whom the spoils of life cannot buy;
Leaders who possess opinions and a will;
Leader who have honor; leaders who will not lie;
Leaders who can stand before a demagogue
and damn his treacherous flatteries without winking!
Tall leaders, sun crowned, who live above the fog
in public duty and private thinking.
The call seems clear--- we need to evaluate and to strengthen our portfolio of skills to live up to the call of this new age. Are you, as a leader, up to the challenge? Do you hear the whispering call to step up?
Randy Spence, Director of Ministries
Dr. Spence, Thank you so much for sharing Dr. King's timely message. It meant a great deal to me especially when we need it most. -- Debbe
Posted by: Debbe Kennedy, author, Putting Our Differences to Work | January 20, 2011 at 07:13 PM