The World House: The Beloved Community as a New Global Vision for Peace and Justice

Abstract

Many people still revel in the January 2009 historic inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama where millions of Americans across racial, ethnic, economic, and generational lines, from every region of the world, gathered in tribute and celebration. In the shadows of rulers and leaders from distant lands and icons of the black freedom struggle like John Lewis and Joseph Lowery, it is difficult to imagine that just a generation ago the United States was on the brink of catastrophe as the country struggled emotionally to respond to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee—which produced shockwaves that reverberated around the globe. It has, perhaps, not been since that dramatic gathering of Americans in the Selma campaign of 1965–1966 that such a massive multicultural, multireligious, and multiracial coalition was assembled in terms of what was achieved during the 2008 presidential election. As the first year of President Obama’s second term draws to a close, it is truly an opportune time to reflect critically and imaginatively on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and his creative vision of the beloved community. From this point of departure, we will reflect on the way in which King’s legacy of the beloved community offers a constructive theological and ethical perspective on developing an inclusive vision of justice and reconciliation within today’s context.