Moved By Death

If there is one condition that could be attributed as the principal “motivator” in the current consciousness of Mankind, it would have to be the condition of “death”. From the establishment of the Christian religion which is founded on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, to the recognition of our great world leaders, our move to appreciate, recognize, and value Life is only expressed at the onset of death; and even then, our efforts are in vain as we focus solely on the “celebration” of ceremonies as opposed to the “sanctity” and/or “spirit” behind them.

From the crucifix that dangles around the necks of many, to the stuffed deer heads over the desks of prideful hunters, to the war medals that drape the breast of decorated soldiers, the effigy of death in society has become a trophy of sorts; one that is ironically celebrated just as much as it is feared.

The majority of technological advancements and discoveries are directed at creating weapons for the removal of life, as opposed to creating tools to create and sustain it. Even worse, we use our beliefs, traditions, and religions to justify the promulgation of death, while simultaneously convincing ourselves that we are supporters of Life.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise than many people have condemned a movie about love between two men (Brokeback Mountain) as a sin, while going in droves to see Hostel and Saw II; two movies about death and torture. In essence, we are hypocrites in our own rite that are entertained by the rush of death and destruction. How ironic is it that we refer to ourselves as a “civil-ization”?

On January 30, 2006, humanity lost a civil rights Matriarch who carried the legacy and “baton of freedom” of a movement that was spearheaded by her late husband, Martin Luther King, Jr. On February 7, 2006, thousands of mourners descended upon New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta to pay their last respects to Coretta Scott King. But we each should take the time to sincerely ask ourselves if we ever truly paid our “first” respects. If Mrs. King were still alive, and an announcement was made stating that she was going to give a speech at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, would the same number of people flock to show their respect? This scenario is arguable; but I’d venture to say that the answer is an emphatic “No”.

So what is it that we’re paying respects too – the life that “is”, or the life that “was”…….or do we merely find comfort in the “appearance” of appreciation? After all, that is why the President was there. Photo Ops come in many shapes sizes and colors. And for the President, this was a good look.

Too many of us feel that merely showing up at a funeral equates to “paying respects”. However, this is about as accurate as surmising that showing up to your job equates to “doing work”. Instead of venturing to pay our “last” respects, we should endeavor to pay a respect that “lasts”; one that embodies the ideals, ideologies and actions that the Kings advocated. The “only” way to honor and respect the Kings in death is to bring their philosophies to life by continuing in the movement to make the world a better place for everyone.

Unless we quickly adopt and exercise a philosophy that displays an appreciation for life and constructiveness, it is our hypocritical values and ideologies – guided by the tyranny of our so-called leaders – that will ultimately usher in our demise; ending an era of a race that embodied infinite possibilities; who unfortunately, were only moved by death.

Tungz