In Rock Hill, South Carolina, a judge recently vacated the sentences of nine civil rights activists who were arrested and convicted in the 1960’s.   Their crime was sitting at the same lunch counter as whites in a local five and dime store — a violation of the Jim Crow laws of the time that demanded separation of the races.

Although it took more than 50 years for this injustice to be overturned in the court system, the Friendship 9 as they are known have been hailed as civil rights pioneers and lauded for their courage and willingness to confront the immorality of racial segregation — even though it cost them.

“..the problems of three little people don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.” Stand out anyway.

There will come a time in your life when you will recognize that something isn’t right.  You’ll think to yourself, or say aloud, “Somebody ought to do something.”  And then you’ll realize — “It’s got to be me.”

When that moment comes, will you be ready to accept the challenge?  Here’s a sonnet from the poetry corner:

Stand
There comes a time to stand for what you know
To be the right, whatever be the cost.
Then get you up to speak, or do, or go
To fill some gaping breach, though you be tossed
From wave to towering wave, while dervish winds
Pull sail from yard, and blind your eyes with spray.
Do what you must; go fight beside your friends;
Do what you can, and more; go seize the day.
Fear not the foe, and damn the shores alee.
To win the fight, you must run to the van.
The valiant prisoner’s heart may yet be free;
The coward’s heart is chained, and never can.
Go fight your fight; you must do what you ought.
It’s better fought and lost than never fought.
– Mark Lukey

Speaking out against powerful people and their interests is not without cost or consequences.  Take note of that old Japanese proverb, “The nail that sticks up gets beaten down.”  When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  engaged in civil disobedience, he understood that his breaking of unjust laws would still result in his going to jail.  He did it anyway.

Likewise, if you are called to raise your hand or your voice against some wrong, you shouldn’t be surprised should you encounter opposition.  No one can guarantee your success or assure your safety.  Our society is as polarized as I have ever seen, and the lengths to which some people will go over mere differences of opinion is still surprising to me.

Even so, we must not allow ourselves to be cowed into silence.  There really is such a thing as evil in the world and, as Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”  Whatever battle we’re called to, let’s prepare ourselves to do the right thing.

So how about you?  What conversation or issue have you been avoiding?  Haul it out into the daylight, kiss it on the mouth and watch it die.  Add your comments below.