History Still Matters

For Christians, understanding this movement matters because it reveals how faith was used both to justify injustice and to fight it.

In short, the post war Civil Rights Movement was an almost two-decade-long struggle for the equality in America, specifically for Black Americans to be treated as equals socially and politically.

“The Civil War officially abolished slavery, but it didn’t end discrimination against Black people—they continued to endure the devastating effects of racism, especially in the South.” | HISTORY.com Editors, Civil Rights Movement

And on the third Monday in January we set aside time to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But do you know why it’s important that we remember the work he did? He became the face of a movement built on the desire for peace among people — all people. While MLK Jr. did not start the Civil Rights Movement, he amplified, unified, and nationalized attention in the 20th century.

The Civil Rights Movement Before Dr. King

You may be familiar with the phrase “separate but equal,” which came from the post-Civil War American South.

After 1870, Black Americans lived in what is referred to as Reconstruction: the post-war period when freedoms were technically available, but life was overshadowed by widespread violence, voter suppression, and economic coercion. People—predominantly Southerners— decided it was problematic that those they had previously enslaved were on a level playing field with them in society.

This led to the establishment of Jim Crow Laws, which separated Black and White Southerners in public spaces. No sharing of public bathrooms, water fountains, schools, etc. Interracial marriage was illegal, and though Black men now had the right to vote, many were unalbe to vote due to barriers such as literacy tests, intimidation, and other voter suppression tactics.

The South continued its deep-rooted patterns of prejudice — public discrimination and violent encounters were routine, resulting in public protests for equal treatment. Many of these you’ve likely heard about — Greensboro Sit-Ins, Freedom Riders, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Dozens of activists were killed in the fight for equality while approximately 4,700 deaths by lynching were documented from 1882—1968, and historians believe this number to be drastically underdocumented. (Tuskegee Institute)

Many of these systems were defended by people who claimed the name of Christ, while ignoring the image of God in their neighbors.

Dr. King and The Pursuit of a Peaceful Protest

King was first brought into the Civil Rights Movement as a spokesman for the Montgomery Bus Boycott and was the founding President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference where he served until his assassination in 1968. It was during this time that he established himself as the face of the movement for civil rights.

Dignity is what he was fighting for, because dignity was not equally afforded to all people. Rooted in his faith in Christ, Dr. King’s leadership reminds Christians that faith is not meant to be passive in the face of injustice, but active in love, truth, and sacrifice.

“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. This is our hope.” | Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. , I Have a Dream

Today we live in a world that many of us feel is free from injustice because it isn’t our lived experience. But if you look at the news any given day of the week, you’ll quickly find we’re deeply divided as a people.

Whether it’s race, politics, or religion, it’s easy for us to slip into hurtful discourse online because we’re too focused on ourselves.

The Civil Rights Movement challenges Christians to examine whether our words, silence, or actions reflect the reconciling heart of Christ. Our country is far from perfect and truly it will never be blameless because it is a place filled with sinful people, but remember this today: God’s plan for humanity has always been communion — first and foremost with Him — and then with those around us.

We were the enemy.

We were the outcast.

We were the oppressor.

Still He sent Jesus.

Christians, the Civil Rights Movement reminds us that a people divided is not the end of our story. God has made a way that we will be together one day in eternity every nation, tribe, and tongue, worshiping together. Remembering the Civil Rights Movement is not about political alignment for Christians—it’s about obedience to Jesus.

“When we allow freedom to ring—when we let it ring from every city and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, ‘Free at last, Free at last, Great God a-mighty, We are free at last.’”

Quiz: Finish the MLK Quote