On Monday, the Crowley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., hosted its annual program celebrating the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The theme of the program was “Together We Win with Love for Humanity,” with the keynote address by Rev. Lois LeDuff, M. Div., from Baton Rouge.
Rev. Leduff is a magna cum laude graduate of Morehouse School of Religion at the International Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the first female to be ordained into the Fourth District Missionary Baptist Association and currently serves as Minister of Christian Education at Shady Grove Baptist Church and chaplain for the Baton Rouge Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Leduff delivered an inspiring speech on the momentous occasion, noting that the celebration of the civil rights activist was taking place in a building named after him on his 89th birthday.
She went on to discuss that Dr. King practiced what is now known as the “King Philosophy,” the result of many years of study. Dr. King was significantly mentored, both spiritually and intellectually, by Dr. Benjamin Mays, who initiated the desegregation of Atlanta, Georgia, schools. He was also heavily influenced by Gandhi’s idea of the power of non-violence.
The King Philosophy is based on four major precepts.
The first idea was based on the “Triple Evils” — poverty, racism and militarism.
According to TheKingCenter.org, the triple threats are forms of violence that exist in a vicious cycle. They are interrelated, all-inclusive and stand as barriers to our living in the community.
Examples of poverty include, but are not limited to, unemployment, homelessness, hunger, malnutrition, illiteracy, infant mortality and slums.
Prejudice, apartheid, ethnic conflict, anti-Semitism, sexism, colonialism, ageism, discrimination against disabled groups and stereotypes are all examples of racism.
War, imperialism, domestic violence, rape, terrorism, human trafficking, media violence, drugs, child abuse and violent crime are all examples of militarism.
The second idea, taught the six principals of non-violence, which include:
• Non-violence is a way of life for courageous people. It is active non-violent resistance to evil. It is aggressive spiritually, mentally and emotionally.
• Non-violence seeks to win friendship and understanding. The end result of non-violence is redemption and reconciliation. The purpose of non-violence is the creation of the community.
• Non-violence seeks to defeat injustice not people. Non-violence recognizes that evildoers are also victims and are not evil people. The non-violent resister seeks to defeat evil not people.
• Non-violence holds that suffering can educate and transform. It accepts suffering without retaliation. Unearned suffering is redemptive and has tremendous educational and transforming possibilities.
• Non-violence chooses love instead of hate. Non-violence resists violence of the spirit as well as the body. Non-violent love is spontaneous, unmotivated, unselfish and creative and non-violence believes that the universe is on the side of justice. The nonviolent resister has deep faith that justice will eventually win.
• Non-violence believes that God is a God of justice.
The third idea focuses on the six steps of non-violent change
• First, information gathering - to understand and articulate an issue, problem or injustice facing a person, community or institution you must do research. You must become an expert on your opponent’s position.
• Second, education - it is essential to inform others, including your opposition, about your issue. This minimizes misunderstanding and gains you support and sympathy.
• Third, personal commitment - daily checks and affirmations of faith in non-violence. Eliminate hidden motives and prepare yourself to accept suffering, if necessary, in your work for justice.
• Fourth, discussion/negotiation - using grace, humor and intelligence, confront the other party with a list of injustices and a plan for addressing and resolving these injustices. Look for what is positive in every action and statement the opposition makes. Do not seek to humiliate the opponent but call forth the good in the opponent.
• Fifth, direct action - these are actions taken when the opponent is unwilling to enter into, or remain in, discussion/negotiation. These actions impose a “creative tension” into the conflict, supplying moral pressure on your opponent to work with you in resolving justice.
• Sixth, reconciliation - non-violence seeks friendship and understanding with the opponent. Non-violence is directed against evil systems, forces, oppressive polices, unjust acts, but not against persons. Through reasoned comprise, both sides resolve the injustice with a plan of action. Each act of reconciliation is one step closer to the “Beloved Community.”
And, the fourth big idea was “The Beloved Community” a global vision in which all the people of earth can share the wealth. In the Beloved Community, poverty, hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated because international standards of human decency won’t allow it.
The program also included Evelyn Julian, program chair; invocation and benediction by Reverend Corwin Dale Morgan, Pastor at Love of Christ Baptist Church; greetings from State Representative John Stefanski, Mayor’s Office Designee City Councilmen Elliot Dore, Chief of Police Jimmy Broussard, Alderman Vernon “Step” Martin and Crowley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority President Latikka MaGee-Charles; a musical selection by Mona Woods of Israelite Baptist Church; a Liturgical Dance Selection by Ms. Lady’s Dance Studio with Ayesha Harmon as choreographer; an oral presentation of “Hey, Black Child” by the 2018 Coterie of Delta Sigma Theta Debutantes; a musical selection by the Salt of the Earth Choir of St. Theresa Catholic Church under the direction of Larry Wiltz; a musical selection by Malaysia Augustus; a special presentation by Cheryl Lewis; and acknowledgment of special guests by Ronnie Taylor.
