“We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people. We must come to see that human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of [women and] men willing to be coworkers with God, and without this hard work time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

Letter from the Birmingham Jail

It has been 51 years since Martin Luther King Jr. penned these words from a small jail cell in Alabama. Yet, half a century later, it seems they are as timely and relevant as they were in the summer of 1963.  In the following paragraph one need only substitute the name of the city, St. Louis instead of Birmingham:

“I am sure that each of you would want to go beyond the superficial social analyst who looks merely at effects and does not grapple with underlying causes. I would not hesitate to say that it is unfortunate that so-called demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham at this time, but I would say in more emphatic terms that it is even more unfortunate that the white power structure of this city left the Negro community with no other alternative.”

To reduce what is happening in St. Louis to isolated incidents, the fatal confrontation between Michael Brown and Darren Wilson, or the death of Vonderitt Myers, is to desperately cling to a superficial social analysis. The deaths of these young men were, as Dr. King writes, “the effects.”  Our Jesuit education and tradition requires us to develop a holistic social analysis that accounts for not only the effects, but the root causes. This means confronting the structures in our community that perpetuate poverty and injustice.

We must ask, what are the forces and structures in our society that lead to a disproportionate number of black men dying on the streets and spending their prime years behind bars? An answer that seems to account for these injustices is systemic, institutionalized racism. This pernicious practice has plagued this country since its inception, and this city since its founding. It endures because generations of Americans have been, and continue to be, more willing to tolerate a radically unjust status quo, than to act radically for justice.

King reminds us that history’s greatest leaders, spiritual and political, have set before us the example we are to follow. The sacrifice required to turn the tide of human history, to resist “the forces of social stagnation”, to advance humanity’s benchmark for justice, one must radically and unwaveringly articulate the greatest values of humanity – love your enemy, all men are created equal and treat others as you wish to be treated.  And so the question we must ask of ourselves is this: “not whether we will be extremist, but what kind of extremists we will be. Will we be extremists for hate, or will we be extremists for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice, or will we be extremists for the cause of justice?”

As a University, we have collectively claimed a commitment to justice. Now is the time to act on that claim. We cannot retreat to our dorm rooms, classrooms and offices, as our community is torn apart by injustice. Let us not be the “good people” who witnessed injustice with “appalling silence,” burdening the next generation with our legacy for which to repent. We must recognize the urgency of the moment and respond to the need for powerful action.  It is our responsibility to stand together boldly against endemic racism.

So we are inviting everyone at SLU, everyone who believes in justice, everyone willing to defend the idea that – “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly” – to stand as a public witness for the spiritual truths we profess to hold.  Join us on Grand Avenue, following the decision from Grand Jury, to peacefully assemble in support of justice. We will display a large banner reaffirming Dr. King’s timeless message.  Let us not stand silent.  Let our presence be heard and faithfully enact our obligation to solidarity and working for justice.