For those of you reading from somewhere besides the US, and in case you are not familiar, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a great leader in the fight for Civil Rights here in the United States. He believed, during this very turbulent time, in NON-VIOLENT resistance.
Dr. King was instrumental in changing the course of our history, believing that segregation was wrong, that "Separate but Equal" was always unequal, and that some day, all people would get along. He dreamed of a day where people of all colors and backgrounds would celebrate their shared humanity and when no one would be denied the dignity of basic Civil Rights.
That day, sadly, has not come 100% here to the United States, but hopefully the strides we have made as a country over the last 40+ years will continue, until Dr. King's dream is fully realized.
I too have a dream, where one day this holiday will be celebrated ANYWHERE in the World where people have been discriminated against, where Civil Rights have been unequal, or where race or religion have prevented some from achieving their goals. I dream that one day, children of all nations will know of the wonderful and uplifting words and works of this real American Hero.
So I leave you with a link to Dr. King's best known speech, which still rings true today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk
Ray learned about Martin Luther King in third grade, one day he came home and had to tell me about segregation, how MLK helped his people, all people, and what a wonderful man he was, he also had a lot of questions. The next day he came home to tell me more of what he learned about MLK and sadly said "and then they shot him," he was hurt and outraged. It was the first time he learned how cruel man can be, we talked about it and I cried like a baby!! I'm crying now both for the loss of innocence and an incredible human, the singing and his speech give me goose pimples.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's really sad that so many good, inspiring people have been lost to violence. :( Sad for Ray, sad for us all. I just hope 'ole MLK can see us all from wherever he is, and know that he's really made a huge difference!
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