By Ferdinand “Mac” McAfee
The Timeless Conflict: Why the Good Face Opposition
Have you ever wondered why figures such as Jesus Christ, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President John F. Kennedy continue to symbolize the cost of challenging powerful systems? Each, in different ways, advocated for those with the least power, spoke on behalf of the marginalized and accepted significant personal risk in pursuit of what they believed was right. Despite their efforts, each faced intense opposition. Their stories remind us that the tension between good and evil is not confined to one generation or one era. It is a recurring theme throughout history.
A cursory look at the evening news, today’s political climate or the struggles facing communities across America suggests that conflict between competing values continues today. If you strive to live an honest, moral and compassionate life, you should also recognize that not everyone will celebrate those efforts. Sometimes, doing good invites resistance.
What do I mean by that?
The wealthiest individuals on Earth possess resources that most people cannot imagine. Yet poverty, homelessness, hunger and economic inequality remain widespread. In my view, many of society’s most influential people have become increasingly disconnected from the daily struggles of ordinary families. At the same time, celebrity and wealth often generate admiration regardless of whether they are accompanied by compassion or generosity. That imbalance deserves thoughtful examination.
The Historical Architecture of Sacrifice
History suggests that one of the greatest threats to entrenched systems is not violence but uncompromising compassion. Individuals who challenge existing political, economic or social structures often face fierce resistance because their ideas threaten established interests.
Jesus Christ challenged corruption within the Temple and confronted both religious and political authority.
President John F. Kennedy sought changes to Cold War policies and questioned elements of the nation’s intelligence and military establishment.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. expanded his mission beyond civil rights to include economic justice through the Poor People’s Campaign, placing greater attention on poverty, labor and inequality.
Whether one agrees with these historical interpretations or not, each illustrates how powerful systems often resist transformational change.
The Case Study: The Demise of Harmony Health Clinic
To illustrate what I believe many people devoted to serving others face today, I point to the recent decline of Harmony Health Clinic in Little Rock, Arkansas.
For approximately 15 years, Harmony provided free medical and dental care to more than 15,000 uninsured, underinsured and working poor residents.
I became involved after learning the clinic had been burglarized three times within six months. According to those familiar with the incidents, thieves stole laptops used by volunteer physicians from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to manage patient records. They removed the television from the waiting room wall, damaged windows and doors, and even stole industrial freezers filled with food intended for families in need.
In my view, the repeated break-ins appeared designed to undermine the clinic’s mission.
Believing the clinic faced an uncertain future, I purchased a replacement television for its lobby and began reaching out throughout the community in hopes of finding assistance.
Among those I contacted were:
• Two divisions within Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr.’s administration
• Healthy Connections, a larger community health organization
• A local television reporter who attended the clinic’s annual fundraiser
• Several members of the clinic’s board, including an active state legislator, a real estate professional, an ophthalmologist and the CEO of an artificial intelligence company
• Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ office
• U.S. Rep. French Hill’s office
• The lieutenant governor’s office
• A prominent real estate developer
• The pastor of a large church whose congregation regularly participates in overseas mission work
• A physician affiliated with Yale University
• The businessman once referred to by ABC News as the “Foreclosure King”
Despite those efforts, I was unable to secure meaningful assistance for Harmony Health Clinic. I found that deeply disappointing.
Administrative Oversight and Financial Findings
The clinic’s closure occurred amid broader public scrutiny involving the Little Rock Housing Authority.
According to publicly released oversight findings from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, approximately $30 million in expenditures were identified as questioned or disallowed during reviews covering multiple years.
Public reporting has also documented allegations involving commissioner compensation, questions surrounding governance practices and significant public disagreement over board leadership. Former board chairman Kenyon Lowe has publicly denied wrongdoing and has stated that he believes he was unfairly targeted. Former Commissioner Leta Anthony publicly described her removal as “a present-day lynching.”
These matters generated substantial public debate and became the subject of extensive media coverage and government oversight.
The Aftermath and the “Vampire Economy”
Ultimately, Harmony Health Clinic became one of the casualties of those broader circumstances.
Based on publicly reported information and my understanding of those reports, federal oversight actions involving the housing authority contributed to property sales affecting several tenants, including Harmony Health Clinic. I was not involved in those investigations and rely upon publicly available reporting regarding those events.
The clinic eventually lost the building it had occupied for approximately 14 years and relocated to a much smaller facility owned by a local church. Along the way, key staff members departed, including the executive director and office manager.
Today, the clinic continues serving the community, but in my opinion it operates with far fewer resources than before.
I have also been told that the clinic’s former building was purchased for approximately $200,000 above the asking price and is now being used as a plasma collection center.
To me, that transformation symbolizes what I call the “Vampire Economy.”
Where physicians once cared for sick patients without charge, a business now compensates financially struggling residents for donating plasma. While plasma donation is a legal and important component of modern medicine, I believe replacing a charitable health clinic with a commercial plasma operation represents a troubling shift in community priorities.
In my view, it reflects the growing commodification of human hardship.
A Final Warning and Path Forward
The replacement of a community health clinic with a commercial enterprise caused me to ask difficult questions about what our society increasingly values.
If you choose to build, heal or advocate for those living on society’s margins, do not assume your efforts will always be celebrated. Sometimes compassion itself challenges systems built on profit or power.
Whether you share my conclusions or not, I hope this story encourages reflection about how communities respond when institutions dedicated to helping others begin to disappear.
So what can decent people do?
Don’t Try to Do the Lord’s Job
No individual can solve every problem. Good and evil are larger than any one person. Focus on the gifts God has given you, do your part faithfully and trust that others will do theirs. Carrying the weight of the entire world is neither possible nor healthy.
Watch Your Circle Carefully
As the old saying goes, it is difficult to recognize an enemy when you believe they are your friend. Throughout history, many influential people have been betrayed by those closest to them. Pay attention to how people celebrate your successes—or diminish them. Sometimes jealousy disguises itself as humor or casual criticism.
Trust Your Discernment
Most people possess an inner sense that alerts them when something feels wrong. When your instincts encourage caution, listen. Discernment is one of life’s greatest safeguards.
No One Can Stop What God Allows
Ultimately, no person possesses greater authority than God. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that seemingly impossible obstacles can be overcome through faith and perseverance. Like the first domino in a long chain, your responsibility is simply to do your part. The rest often unfolds through forces much greater than ourselves.
Suggested Reading
• Project Harmony
• Combining Forces to Defeat Evil
• Forming a Temporary Emergency Community (Crisis Intervention) Task Force
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this guest column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The People’s Paper MS, Katina’s Klassroom, its staff, editors or board members. This column is published as commentary to encourage public discussion. Statements of opinion, interpretation and personal belief belong solely to the author.
