The American Civil Rights struggle can teach us a lot about love and forgiveness — especially that of loving our enemies.
“The black freedom struggle is the best example of bringing together the quest for unarmed truth and unconditional love in the face of American Terrorism for 400 years. Instead of a Black al-Qaeda you get Frederick Douglas and Martin Luther.” – Dr Cornel West
Of all the inspiring stories that have come from the Civil Rights struggle in America – one of the most powerful ones I’ve heard is the story of Rev. Wade Watts.
I’ve shared his story before, but it’s always such an an amazing reminder of the power of love.
When Wade Watts walked into a restaurant in the late 1950s, a waitress confronted them at the door and told Watts that the restaurant did not serve Negroes.
With a smile, Watts replied, “I don’t eat Negroes. I just came to get some ham and eggs…”
When the Klan showed up at Wade’s house in their hooded robes they called Wade out and he came out and said, “Boys, Halloween’s four months away, I’ve got no trick-or-treat in here for you. Come back in October!” And he turned around and went back inside.
The Klan was left dumbfounded – not sure how to respond to this man who didn’t respond with anger or rage.
They later set a cross on fire across the street from his house and Wade came out asking if they needed hot dogs or marshmellows for their BBQ.
When surrounded by members of the Klan at a roadside diner, the Imperial Wizard told Wade, “Whatever you do that chicken we’re going to do to you.”
Wade looked down at his plate, picked up the chicken and kissed it.
It seems like Rev. Wade took his own preaching seriously. He walked a walk of scandalous grace. Giving second, third, forth (and more) chances to the very group of people who wanted to see his demise.
In the end, it was the love and forgiveness of Rev. Wade that changed the heart of the Imperial Wizard.
Not cyclical or redemptive violence — but redemptive love.
See the Imperial Wizard Johnny Clary tell the story:
“I’ve seen too much hate to want to hate, myself, and every time I see it, I say to myself, hate is too great a burden to bear. Somehow we must be able to stand up against our most bitter opponents and say: “We shall match your capacity to inflict suffering by our capacity to endure suffering. We will meet your physical force with soul force. Do to us what you will and we will still love you… But be assured that we’ll wear you down by our capacity to suffer, and one day we will win our freedom. We will not only win freedom for ourselves; we will appeal to your heart and conscience that we will win you in the process, and our victory will be a double victory.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Who do you know that needs a second chance today?
Imagine if through your forgiveness you set both you and them free…
i loved this , thank you for shareing. i laughed and i cried , feeling both joy and sorrow.sadness at the darkness that lives within us all and happiness for the mercy through christ that redeems and restores us all to gods glory.. i lived in those days but i can honestly say that even as a young girl the difference between black and white made no since to me. god bless you..
Thanks Donna!
It’s a pretty powerful story and reminder of how love and forgiveness can (and does) win.
Thanks for commenting as well!
Love it. Thanks for sharing this.
Sure thing! Thanks for reading!
Great story! Thanks for sharing it!
This is amazing! I had no idea! Thank you so much for sharing and for challenging me.
This story amazes me! For one man who is hated so much to show an equal amount of love is unbelievable. I’m glad that Clary found the Lord in a real way, I’m glad he was able to shed the white robes of hated and replace with with white robes of righteousness!
Thank you for sharing his story (and the video) with us. It was awesome!
Wow… thanks for letting God give you a tender heart. this will stay with me forever. that is how it works… even when we don’t know we are touching lives we are… see how God works when we don’t know it!!!