KING Speaks To The 21st Century

Ebony, Jan, 2001

A true testament to the greatness of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is the extent to which has words continue to move and inspire us. From September 1957 to December 1958, Dr. King wrote an EBONY column called "Advice For Living." The excerpts on the following pages show that Dr. King's words still resonate, and reach out through time to touch and instruct a whole new generation.

October 1957

Question: Our family has had more than its share of pain and trouble. Does God send pain and anguish to punish us for our sins and the sins of our fathers?

Answer: You are really raising the question, "Why do men suffer?" It is often true that we suffer because of sins we consciously or unconsciously commit. There are moral laws of the universe just as abiding as the physical laws, and when we disobey these moral laws we suffer tragic consequences. It is also tree that the interrelatedness of human life often necessitates our suffering for the sins of our forefathers. We must admit, however, that we are often the victims of pain and suffering that cannot be explained by sins committed by ourselves or our forefathers. We must admit that there is some mystery surrounding God's being. There are certain things that happen in our lives and in the life of the universe that we can't explain in rational terms. You must live by the faith that all suffering has some purpose which the finite mind of man can never comprehend.

NOVEMBER 1957

Question: Do you think God approves of the death penalty for crimes like rape and murder?

Answer: I do not think God approves the death penalty for any crime--rape and murder included. God's concern is to improve individuals and bring them to the point of conversion. Even criminology has repudiated the motive of punishment in favor of the reformation of the criminal. Shall a good God harbor resentment? Since the purpose of jailing a criminal is that of reformation rather than retribution--improving him rather than paying him back for some crime that he has done--it is highly inconsistent to take the life of a criminal. How can he improve if his life is taken? Capital punishment is against the best judgment of modern criminology and, above all, against the highest expression of love in the nature of God.

Question: I was raised in a Christian environment. My father placed rest stress on premarital virginity. Of late, I have begun to doubt the validity of his teaching. I am now 29. Over the years, I have lost many boyfriends to other girls who had a more liberal attitude toward sex, I recently met a wonderful fellow, who says no general rule is applicable to all situations. Is he right?

Answer: I think you should hold firm to the principle of premarital virginity. The problems created by premarital sex relationships are far greater than the problems created by premarital virginity. The suspicion, fears and guilt feelings generated by premarital sex relationships are contributing factors to the present breakdown of the family. Real men still respect purity and virginity within women. If a man breaks a relationship with you because you would not allow him to participate in the sexual act, you can be assured that he did not love you from the beginning.

January 1958

Question: I have been married 21 years and they have all been hell. Excuse the word, but that is the case. What can a man do to make a marriage a success? My wife will not go with me to our pastor or to a social worker. I work two jobs so that she can have anything she wants. But she shows no interest. The house is always dusty and dirty. She doesn't seem to care.

Answer: In advising anyone on marital problems, I usually begin by urging each person to do an honest job of self-analysis. Although you feel that you have done all within your power to make the marriage a success, it would be well to ask yourself the question whether you have done anything to cause your wife to react the way she does. After this, I feel that you should have a heart-to-heart talk with your wife and seek to show her the points at which she can improve and at the same time admit that if there are any points at which you are lacking, you too are willing to improve. No marriage can be successful without mutual respect, abiding faith, and absolute love. If these factors are present, you can work out the seemingly insoluble problems you now confront. I think you should also insist that your wife join you in discussing this matter with your minister. Often when marital difficulties develop, a counselor can be immeasurable help in strengthening the union.

March 1958

Question: Do you think Negroes are partly responsible for their plight? They don't stick together and they don't help each other. Negroes, for example, will walk past a Negro-owned grocery store or shoe shop to get to a White place. Instead of trying to make themselves financially independent, most Negroes are trying to keep up with the Joneses. Isn't it time for us to stop begging and stand on our own feet?

Answer: I quite agree that there is a great deal that the Negro can do to lift himself by his bootstraps. Well, it has been said by one that Negroes too often buy what they want and beg for what they need. Negroes must learn to practice systematic saving. They must also pool the economic resources through various cooperative enterprises. Such agencies as credit unions, savings and loan associations, and finance companies are needed in every Negro community. All of these are things that would serve to lift the economic level of the Negro, which would in turn give him greater purchasing power. This increased purchasing power will inevitably make for better housing, better health standards, and for better educational standards.