"A river flows through Saratoga carrying the memories, wisdom, faith and courage of people who shaped the city before, and it flows down to its inhabitants now, reminding them that they do not stand in this river alone. This was the main metaphor the Rev. Michael-Ray Mathews, multi-faith leader, community organizer and author, got across in his speech on the steps of Saratoga City Hall for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday."
"His address aimed to challenge Saratoga and the larger community to address and heal from racism. Dr. King named the crossroads clearly near the end of his life: Where do we go from herechaos or community? Mathews asked the approximately 10 attendees. That question is not behind us; it is standing right in front of us. Every community stands in a river like this. Erik Swanson, a pastor at Westhope Presbyterian Church, introduced Mathews at the event and stressed the need to continue this tradition."
"Swanson talked about how King, who used nonviolent methods to advocate for Civil Rights, was described as an enemy combatant and domestic terrorist, mirroring the language being used by government officials against those protesting violent immigration enforcement. Those things are used to diminish, are used to undercut, Swanson said. And hopefully here in Saratogawe can be about something better than that."
A river metaphor connected Saratoga's past memories, wisdom, faith and courage with current inhabitants, serving as a reminder that individuals do not stand alone. The metaphor framed a challenge for the community to confront and heal from racism and to choose between chaos or community. A reference to Dr. King's crossroads emphasized that the question is immediate and present. Attendance at the gathering was small, around ten people. A pastor at Westhope Presbyterian Church highlighted historical mischaracterizations of civil rights advocates and linked that language to recent rhetoric targeting immigration enforcement protesters. Local resistance to housing developments was cited as evidence of ongoing racist attitudes.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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