This morning, as I drove Nerissa to school, the voice of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. filled the car and overpowered the conversation. His "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech, which he gave in support of the striking sanitation workers at Mason Temple in Memphis, TN on April 3, 1968 — the day before he was assassinated, was so clear and fresh, it sounded like he could have been in front of a large crowd somewhere at that very moment. And the things he discussed - a dangerous world, threats to individual freedom, war and poverty - are issues that plaster the front pages of newspapers and are featured on the evening news even today.
The Washington Post published an article today that talks about this very thing. The times change. The heroes fall, but somehow what they fought for is still there in various forms. Yes, Dr. King fought for love and equality, but he also very much opposed the Vietnam War and championed the rights of low-income and impoverished people. My daughter believes that all of Dr. King's dreams were realized because she is able to sit next to children of various races in her classroom, but the reality is, he had many dreams for a better world. While that particular dream has come true, many others are still far from reality.
Today reminded me that I need to teach Riss about all of the things Dr. King fought for. It also reminded me that those fights are still being fought. We have a war going on that is taking precious lives. We have people living in deep poverty right in our own cities. We have inequalities -- while not always as obvious -- that still translate into horrible circumstances for various groups of people, such as women, homosexuals, African Americans, Native Americans, and many other minorities.
To read Dr. King's final speech, please click on the link below. His words are haunting and powerful in light of the fact that he left this earth the very next day. His closing remarks are as follows:
"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."
http://www.afscme.org/about/1549.cfm
I don't know about you, but I'm inspired.
Love you guys.
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