Hero Worship

​Heroes. It's safe to assume that we all have had people or characters we hold in high esteem because they have inspired us in some way, shape, or form. We have them in literature, sports, and history, and try to emulate parts of their lives we respect. However, with our heroes, we get blinded by their accomplishments and achievements and fail to see them as flawed individuals.

​Today is the day we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I want to explore hero worship from the legacy he left. I'll dive into the Founding Fathers and how they were also revered. So, let's get it.

“Black” America

​I like being black, and I wouldn't trade the time and place where I was born. I'm grateful to the black men and women who came before me and persevered through many challenges to put me where I am today. Because of their sacrifices, I can go to places they only dreamed of. From a hero perspective, many in the black community hold Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as our culture's ultimate hero.

​However, growing up and even today, MLK isn't in my top 3 favorite Americans who are black. My heroes were:

• George Washington Carver
• Benjamin Banneker
• Jackie Robinson

​The unique thing is I grew up more Christian Jew than an American who's Black because I learned and studied the accounts in the Bible, which was Jewish history and the life and events of Christ's life. Outside of Christ (it's too easy to use him), my heroes from the Bible are:

• Joseph
• Daniel
• Timothy

​They were my favorite because I identified more with their lives and interests than MLK.

MLK

I'm eternally grateful for MLK's work and life. I strive to hold up my end of the bargain through his dream of being measured by my character and not by my skin color. On a personal level, that's been real for the most part. MLK is considered one of the greatest orators in known history, and he deserves much of the praise he gets.

​But, I find from observing my culture, the black culture, as a whole, we tend to revere him almost as if he were Christ himself at times. It's been documented that he had some character flaws, just like you and I, mainly stepping out on his wife in extramarital affairs. That doesn't take away from his work on rectifying justice, but it proves that he's still a man who had and still has significant influence, but is still a man.

​Unfortunately, my sister and I are considered outliers or enigmas because we were both born under the marriage union, and our parents have a healthy marriage. It breaks my heart and saddens me to see many of my peers and those younger than me grow up in broken homes. My sis and I should be the norm and not the outlier.

​We significantly impact the culture for a small percentage of the U.S. (13%). As an art form, hip-hop music is so unique and transcendent, as seen on the world stage. The stage play Hamilton is a good measure of the art form's impact. I love words and care about good lyrics, and most modern music that comes from us has no substance.

“White” America

A part of MLK's dream was to see friendship among the races, specifically between Black and White.

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. - MLK

​Thankfully, I have many friends and acquaintances who are white. They come from all walks of life. Some are liberal, some are conservative, and others do not hold to one or the other. One unique thing I found while observing is their connection with the Founding Fathers. I see a very similar experience with the Black community with MLK and how narrow a scope they have about them.

Founding Fathers

I'm grateful to be an American and thankful to the founding fathers for creating a democratic republic that can correct itself (when consciously convicted). I'm not someone who believes we should destroy the statues and the things named after them. However, like others have said before me, not all history is to be celebrated.

From my vantage point, the Founding Fathers are almost seen as mythical and legendary, revered almost like gods of old, negating that they are humans just like us. It is documented that they had personal contradictions and participated in hypocrisy, just like we have all done, only on a bigger scale.

​Some of the major sins of our country include:

• Taking of land of the Natives (before the Declaration)
• Trail of Tears
• Slavery (obviously)

One of the primary reasons I trust the Bible is that it doesn't hide the great people's flaws in the accounts. Judges as a book doesn't seem like a book you would include in a Holy book. But it's a book of accounts that is not to be celebrated, but it shows humanity's deep depravity when we try to do things with our own wisdom and understanding.

The theme of the book of Judges was expressed twice:

Judges

17:6 In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

21:25 In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

​When truth, justice, love, and other qualities of high character become relative and do not hold to a standard, you get fractured ideals that harm more than help.

“Other” America

​Black and White are so polarizing in America that it seems as if Americans who aren't a part of either group seem left out. I've been blessed with being able to call friends who are from heritages that aren't just Black and White, such as:

• Native American
• Hispanic American (Mexican, Colombian, Puerto Rican, Dominican, etc.)
• Asian American (Filipino, Chinese, Taiwanese, South Korean, Indian),
• Middle Eastern American

From some of the conversations I've had with them, a common theme is that they can feel just like others and get lost in the shuffle and commotion. It can't be easy watching from the sidelines, seeing the turmoil that's been going on, and picking a side even when you have an objective view and can agree with points from numerous sides.

Line in the Sand

​I find it harder to be a genuine follower of Christ than to be Black. Like anyone, there are things I like and don't like about my culture. However, I don't believe any other culture in the U.S. has to deal with consistent identification validation, like the black community. I hate it when I've been told, "You're not black enough" or "You don't act black."

​I find it harder to be a Christian than to be an American. I'm not naïve to the history of my country. I prefer to take a holistic view of my nation of origin, praise the praiseworthy things, and condemn those things that need to be condemned.

Many are looking to the government to solve problems they aren't equipped to handle. One of my favorite quotes is:

You can’t legislate love. - Denzel Washington

Personally, I believe love to be a choice and is sacrificial and servant-oriented in nature. We're getting close to Valentine's Day (not a fan personally), and one of the sayings and verses that comes up often in greeting cards and letters is:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

​I choose to hold myself to a standard that calls for unity between all people, nations, and communities. I fail miserably, just like any and everyone, and I have character flaws that I work on through the aid of Christ and the Holy Spirit.

​One of my favorite people in scripture, outside of Jesus, is Joseph. I identify with his life at different points of mine. Speaking of Joseph, the verse below is after he becomes second in command in Egypt, after being sold into slavery in a foreign land, falsely accused and put in jail, and meeting his brothers who sold him there.

Genesis 50:19 - 21

19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.

​Historically speaking, America is a very young country compared to the likes of Egypt, Ethiopia, China, Israel, India, etc. We are immature in many ways, but I know we can do better if we actually look to seek out unity and reconciliation. Since its inception with amendments, we have come a long way, but we need a heart change, and every group is culpable in this. So, let's grow up.

Questions for Thought

I believe truth to be facts, in context, with original intent.

For those who agree with the same worldview as I, in being a Christian, here are two questions to ponder.

• Shouldn’t the cross supersede or be above your culture?
• Shouldn’t the cross supersede or be above the American flag?

Where does your allegiance lie?