LETTER: Martin Luther King Jr., Charlie Jones and Black History Month

Dear Editor,

Recently, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was celebrated in Moses Lake. Charlie Jones (one of the primary sponsors of past events who passed last year) was honored along with Martin Luther King Jr. I watched a YouTube program last week ( “Plymouth vs Jamestown Kings and Priests”) that provided a positive and balanced historical view of America's founding, the influence of Christianity and the contributions of many Black Americans like Harry Hosier and others not as well known as Frederick Douglass, Josiah Henson, Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver and Martin Luther King Jr.. 

What these men had in common, brings me to my story of Charlie Jones. 

A few years back, right around the time of the George Floyd and BLM protests, Charlie visited our men's prayer meeting at the Red Door Cafe. We had never met, and on a skin color scale, he and I are at opposite ends. What Charlie did next was unexpected. After being introduced, he walked over, not knowing anything about me, and as I was about to give him a handshake, he instead gave me a big hug. 

Here is the point to my letter. Charlie was a follower of Christ. It is a changed heart that allowed Charlie to hug me, that also prompted Frederick Douglass late in life to forgive his cruel slave master, that prevented Josiah Henson from committing murder on a riverboat that would have given him freedom, and that was the power behind Martin Luther King Jr.’s peaceful methods. 

Christ, and a changed heart, are the answer to racism. Please watch the video. This being Black History Month, I think you will find it surprisingly interesting and applicable.

Mick Feldbush
Moses Lake