As an advocate of human rights, peace and love, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would be troubled by the divisiveness and dehumanization at the root of the terror and turmoil in Dafur, Sudan. Dr. King would encourage us to respond to the crisis with love: “Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.”

Finding a solution may be difficult, but we must make a morally responsible decision and do what is right. According to Dr. King, “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him that it is right.” The time is now.

Congress should be embarrassed if we allow this crisis to continue toward the bickering and balkanization of the past year. Fortunately, there are signs of real change on the horizon. The passage of the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act, which awaits the signature of President Bush, will authorize state and local governments to divest their investments from the Sudanese government. We must continue pushing the United Nations and the African Union peacekeeping force to fully deploy and work toward a just, inclusive process that will result in peace. We must also mobilize the international community to take similar actions. Anything less represents an apathetic, silent acceptance of the status quo. And, as Dr. King said, “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.”

Approximately 2 million people have been displaced. An estimated 450,000 have been killed. Fearful Africans struggle to escape and endure the tragic brutality of slaughter, starvation, rape and ruin that run rampant. Violence has spread to neighboring Chad, where thousands seek shelter and solace from the death, destruction, devastation and despair that has robbed them of their families, freedom, dreams of a peaceful future and, quite possibly, faith. We must be the light in their darkness and restore their hope!

The humanitarian, security, and political situations continue to deteriorate. Why can’t the international community agree on a resolution? We must work together to end this calculated campaign of violence that is creating chaos and conflict. The human rights violations, brutal violence and injustices perpetuated by this crisis extend beyond Darfur’s edges; their impact could inspire insurgencies throughout the continent. Allowing this war to continue has dire consequences for the world. What message are we sending to our children, the future leaders of our global community?

Are we demonstrating behavior we want them to imitate?

Dr. King said, “We are not makers of history. We are made by history ... If you will protest courageously, and yet with dignity and Christian love, when the history books are written in future generations, the historians will have to pause and say, ‘There lived a great people … who injected new meaning and dignity into the veins of civilization.’” Let us rise up and be that people who make Dr. King’s dream of a world transcended by race and transformed by love a reality.

As Americans fight for justice, equality and freedom at home, in Iraq and in other parts of the world, we must also lead the struggle against injustice and violence in Darfur. After all, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” We must end the genocide and bring peace to the region now.

As a minister, Dr. King would direct us to the Bible for guidance. In Genesis, we are asked, “Am I my brother’s or sister’s keeper?” Absolutely! The New Testament book of Matthew tells us “we must care for the least of our brothers and sisters.” Our response to this directive will ultimately determine if we are worthy of uttering Dr. King’s name. When it comes to Darfur, do we hear his clarion call to justice? For the children’s sake, I pray we do. Stand with me and the Congressional Black Caucus as we honor the legacy of Dr. King by bringing peace to the people of Darfur.

Kilpatrick is chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.