In an article published on Friday, Jan. 20, 2006, Zachary Steinert-Threlkeld wrote that a performance by Visions Gospel Choir at the annual MLK celebration “left him, as a Jew, feeling alienated and unsettled.” He implied that the Gospel Choir did not have a place at the MLK celebration. Yet our intention was not to alienate anyone, but to honor Rev. Dr. King and celebrate the God that was at the center of his life.
Mr. Threlkeld was correct in saying that God was central to the Civil Rights Movement, but we believe, as did Rev. Dr. King, that this was not a “general God.” This God of the Civil Rights Movement, the God of Rev. Dr. King, and the God we praise, is the God whose son is Jesus Christ. “Jesus, I want to be on your right or your left side [in heaven], not for any selfish reason. I want to be on your right or your left side, not in terms of some political kingdom or ambition. But I just want to be there in love and in justice and in truth and in commitment to others, so that we can make of this old world a new world” (Drum Major Instinct, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Feb. 4, 1968).
The God he referred to in all his public addresses is the same God he preached about in the church and is the same God we sang praises to on Monday evening.
Although it was perceived that the Gospel Choir’s performance undermined the celebration of diversity, at the March on Washington and before an audience of blacks, whites, Jews, Christians and others, Mahalia Jackson sang a gospel song just before Rev. Dr. King’s speech. Certainly, this did not undermine the strength of Rev. Dr. King’s most famous address, nor do we believe that our singing detracted from the celebration of diversity Monday evening.
Additionally, Mr. Threlkeld claimed that reference to Jesus excluded people of other religions. As Christians, we have the constitutional right to express our faith, as does everyone else, even if everyone present does not believe as we do. Not allowing expression of the Christian faith, especially at an event where it is so significant, would be the same as suppressing any other religious person in a celebration of his or her faith. For example, if we attended a celebration of Gandhi’s life, we would not be surprised or offended to hear songs celebrating Hinduism, as that was a key part of Gandhi’s life and work.
Mr. Threlkeld stated that the University must embrace inclusiveness and tolerance, including the “awareness and celebration of religious diversity,” and the Gospel Choir’s performance was an excellent way to do that.
Toward the end of his article, Mr. Threlkeld noted, “At some point in the bureaucracy, the decision was made to include the choir.” In fact, this decision was made in 1987 for the University’s First Annual MLK Commemoration, and Visions Gospel Choir has performed at each King celebration since.
Visions Gospel Choir, which is a part of Harambee Christian Ministries, appreciates the tolerant atmosphere at Washington University, which allows us to passionately present this perspective of Rev. Dr. King.
Ashley, Michelle Hall, and Lauren are juniors in Arts & Sciences. Michelle Mahan and Brenda are juniors in the Business School. All are members of the Harambee Servant Team.