An Agape Love

             While reading Dr. King’s speech “Unfulfilled Dreams,” I was reminded of Dr. King’s ideas on agape love. In a class with Professor Ivory, I learned the meaning of agape love is not just a frivolous love or romantic love. Agape love is a sacrificial type love. It endures through suffering and pain without looking for anything in return. Agape love is a God like love that transcends any basic form of love. In Ephesians 5:1-2, the passage states "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Dr. King was an avid supporter of agape love and used it as a way of motivation during increased tensions between black and white people. With agape love, King hoped to encourage black folk to love those that despised them. This meant enduring the hate and abuse that white folk may inflict on them, but to love them past this hate.

              Therefore, when I think of Dr. King’s speech “Unfulfilled Dreams,” it appears that he is witnessing and grappling with maintaining this sense of agape love. King preaches, “Some of us are trying to build a temple of peace. We speak out against war, we protest, but it seems that your head is going against a concrete wall. It seems to mean nothing. And so often as you set out to build the temple of peace you are left lonesome; you are left discouraged; you are left bewildered (speech).” King recognizes the difficult in fight this fight for racial and economic justice. During this time this speech was delivered, King was being worn down by the race tensions in Memphis and across the nation that continue to persist despite his rigorous work with non-violent direct action. This speech does not solely sound like a motivational speech for the audience but for himself. King was unwilling to let go of his agape love.

              Towards the end of King’s speech, he says, “God knows that his children are weak, and they are frail. In the final analysis, what God requires is that your heart is right. Salvation isn’t reaching the destination of absolute morality, but it’s being in the process and on the right road (speech).” This is a King that has experienced sacrifice, abuse, and hatred. This is a King that has been exposed of his own faults and mistake. Although, not explicitly stated, I believe King is preaching an agape love. King preaches to carry on although the road may be tough, and one may fall, but all that matters is that your heart is in the right place. King seeks to encourage his fellow black folk with agape love and motivate them to endure with a love that transcends the hate and abuse.