Civil Rights Directions

(text paraphrased from the speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr.)

adapted January 2002

Will you face the North.

Spirit of rock, energies of earth and endurance, we acknowledge that human progress is not inevitable, but comes through the tireless efforts of those willing to be coworkers with God. Help us to continue to lift our national policy from the quicksand of injustice to the solid rock of human dignity. We welcome your strength into our circle. Blessed be.

Will you face the East.

Spirit of the mountaintop, energies of air and wind, from your heights we look over into the promised land. Our eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord – a world without prejudice or discrimination. We welcome your vision into our circle. Blessed be.

Will you face the South.

Spirit of action, energies of fire and determination, we declare that we are on the move. Along with our brothers and sisters of many races, we are moving to the land of freedom. Like an idea whose time has come, not even the marching of mighty armies can halt us. We welcome your passion into our circle. Blessed be.

Will you face the West.

Spirit of compassion, energy of the cleansing flood, we protest that we are still not satisfied. No, no -- we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. We welcome your purity into our circle. Blessed be.

Will you face the Center.

Divine spirit within, we have come far in our struggle to liberate all human beings, yet much work still remains to be done. Let us all hope that the dark clouds of prejudice will soon pass away, and in some not-too-distant tomorrow, the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty. We welcome your life into our circle, where it has always been. Blessed be.