On Monday we celebrate the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the same day we will inaugurate our next President. I can’t help but feel it’s a strange clash of history. And while we are no longer in the midst of the Civil Rights movement the question that Dr. King consistently asked, “What does it mean to be a good neighbor?” continues to be the lingering question of our time. What policies will be enacted that either embolden or diminish our neighborly affection, particularly for the most marginalized in our society?
Some would say neighborly-ness (if you will) is about advocating for policies that positively impact people’s lives. And I believe that to be true. As in Dr. King’s day, the fight to end segregation was vital and demanding justice from the government was a non-negotiable. Eradicating segregation by law has paved the way for integration in all sectors of society and we continue to see the positive ripple effect of unjust laws being dismantled.
However, we should not be naive to think there is not a policy of the heart that needs altering along the way. While segregation is illegal by law, prejudice that leaves our communities divided, and should I say segregated, still remains to this day. Ending an unjust policy does not eliminate irrational fears of the other, pride and even hate that ultimately break down neighborly affection-something Jesus calls His followers to embody.
In Dr. King’s Sermon, On Being a Good Neighbor, he warned against ignoring the policy of the heart, particularly from moderate white Christian Americans. In an effort to advocate for the vulnerable “millions of missionary dollars have gone to Africa from the hands of church people who would die a million deaths before they would permit a single African the privilege of worshipping in their congregation.” (Strength to Love, 27) While a public policy may be rightfully decimated, policies of the heart must always be scrutinized.
President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to change policies that will negatively impact millions of refugees and immigrants living in this country, ironically our newest neighbors. Whether he wants to construct different parts of the border wall, reimplement the Remain in Mexico policy for asylum seekers, prioritize mass deportation for millions or greatly reduce the Resettlement Program for refugees fleeing from war (and the list continues), his policies will hurt our immigrant neighbors.
Unlike the Good Samaritan, we must not cowardly pass the most vulnerable on the outskirts of our society by ignoring “a bruised and beaten brother.” According to Dr. King, we must be willing to give up comfort, prestige, and even our life for the welfare of others. The Good Samaritan risked his life to be a good neighbor and Christians are called to do the same.
I work with newcomers everyday from around the world who are fleeing life's most dire circumstances. I can tell you that newcomers from various legal statuses are often left to fend for themselves. Many are forgotten. Whether they are navigating underemployment, loss of community, school systems that don’t meet the needs of their children or literal mental and physical wounds from real-life battlegrounds, these are who are laying on the road to Jericho and many are passing them by.
And just like demanding the end to segregation, we must demand an end to policies that negatively impact immigrant’s lives. We must uphold policies that welcome the most vulnerable in our global society even if it is a risk to ourselves. Call your senators. Host a documentary night. Add your name to the list. Go to Washington. Protest!
But at the same time, we must examine the polices of our hearts. Where fear of the other is rooted, remember that the perfect love of Jesus casts out our fear. Where prejudice might remain and the comfort of our circle keeps us from extending simple acts of love to our newest neighbor, we must ask God for an expanded vision for His global Kingdom. And where hate might have taken root, remember that love and light consume all darkness in the end. Hate never wins.
As we celebrate the work of Dr. King, and embrace a new President this Monday, let’s be holistic policy makers for the most vulnerable among. us. Let’s fight to change laws and hearts. Dr. King, even at the expense of his own life, showed us what that looks like.