“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Posts for special days are important to me. They are the thoughts and feelings brought to mind about the day and what it means to me. This post is from another year, but the title quote is especially apt for the events now happening. I don’t think I could do better than have Martin Luther King write the post for today.
Today is Martin Luther King Day. These are excerpts from Martin Luther King’s speech delivered on August 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington.
“And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!
And this will be the day — this will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning:
My country ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim’s pride,
From every mountainside, let freedom ring!
And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.”
Explore posts in the same categories: Musings
January 20, 2020 at 2:15 pm
It was 2013, when KTCC became aware that the Prince’s Uncle Eric was going to Radio City Music Hall for the NFL draft. Eric was the number 1 draft pick
So now after 7 years , pro bowl, play offs and all that Uncle Eric and his Chiefs are on the way to Miami to play the odious 49ers. The Super Bowl. Wow.
At this point we do not know if The Prince is going, Eric has to go to work and we are not asking. I am sure it will all be worked out in the next few days.
I set aside my Lionsdome and cheer and cheer for #72 to get a Super Bowl ring
January 20, 2020 at 2:24 pm
My Dear Hedley,
I too will jump on the Chief’s bandwagon. I even watched the NFL draft so I could watch Uncle Eric go first.
The Prince should get an invite to go to the BIG GAME. It would be the game of a lifetime.
All the hoopla associated with the Super Bowl like media day and all must be so exciting for Uncle Eric. I do wish him there best and I wish the Chiefs many touchdowns.
January 20, 2020 at 2:59 pm
The Prince is now 13 and honestly I cannot think of a bigger event for him than to see his Uncle play in the Super Bowl. Of course he was picked to be “The Beast” when he visited Belle at Disneyworld when he was 8 and for his troubles he received a hail of abuse all day…you know the sort of thing, “Belle is your girlfriend”, “you want to kiss Belle”…all incredibly irritating and we were instructed to cease before we met the big fella, Mickey Mouse
I will let you know if he is on the plane to Miami
January 20, 2020 at 6:10 pm
MDH,
I also can’t think of a bigger event. What a thrill that would be for The Prince.
That hail of abuse was perfect for an eight year old. I’m glad common sense finally ruled the day.
Do let me know!
January 20, 2020 at 8:22 pm
Hi Kat,
Sadly Dr. King’s dream that he expressed in August 1963 has not come true. Sadly things have become worse for minorities because we have elected reactionary Republicans to office again and again disguised as populists. In the last couple of decades we have turned our fear of the ‘other’ into hate which has been expanded to include immigrants, Muslims, Hispanics, Asians as well as African Americans.
It’s so easy for a democracy to slip into a dictatorship or oligarchy by candidates who’s trade is predjuice and hate mongering.
We all should remember this poem written during WWII by a German Protestant minister:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
— Martin Niemöller
January 20, 2020 at 8:41 pm
Hi Bob,
The outright racism is appalling, and Trump has given permission with his deeds and words. It will get worse I fear. Trump isn’t done yet. We allied to raise our voices. We all need to vote those republicans from office who have supported Trump’s racist agenda as well as those who’ve just said nothing out of fear.
I remember this poem. We all need to take it to heart.