WE
Are The Keepers of The Dream
President Obama spoke in a church over the week-end remembering the live of Dr Martin Luther King; he talked about the country, the economy, the challenges and opportunity that we as a nation face. He honored the life and the legacy of Dr King... a life lived on conviction, on faith in the human spirit; spirit that went beyond color and into the heart of the matter. He spoke in a church where Dr King himself had stood more than 50 years ago . . . he called himself an African American President and he spoke of the work that Dr King had done to fight the fights to make that possible.
I wonder... What would Martin Luther King think if he were with us; right here right now... most of us, many of us shared in that dream. We walked those miles alongside him, we cried with him, we stood for the rights of others, for the civil rights of all. We did not see color, we looked for those with good hearts and intentions. We believed in the resiliency of the human spirit.
We had faith; even in the hardest of times, we kept the faith, even in the ugliest of times, we sang together and prayed together.
"We Shall Overcome, One Day"
President Obama talked about our difficulties as a nation, our challenges and struggles being faced. He spoke of the myriad of struggles during the civil rights movement, the growth and he talked about the past ~ the present ~ the future.
He talked about his pride in being an African American and being the President of the United States of America and the journey in getting to the White House in pasrt being forged by the work done by Dr King and many others during those times way back when. Yes the walk has been long, the fights and the scars fresh for many, the legacies live on, although many youth today have no real ideal of the history.
Here we are in 2010 . . . some struggles continue.
Mr. President, you are not an African American; you are a man, a husband a father. After those things you are also a man of "mixed race"; you are a beautiful and wonderful composite of parents, grandparents and
Elders that are wonderfully different. You are a role model to millions of people, adults and children alike that now can see "The President of the United States of America" who is a mirror image of themselves no matter how they identify themselves. Isn't that what Martin Luther King was trying desperately to teach all of us with his work, his life and his legacy... haven't we learned? We are people first...
Elders that are wonderfully different. You are a role model to millions of people, adults and children alike that now can see "The President of the United States of America" who is a mirror image of themselves no matter how they identify themselves. Isn't that what Martin Luther King was trying desperately to teach all of us with his work, his life and his legacy... haven't we learned? We are people first...
It is not about color, not about identification or skin color or how much of this blood or that breed or labels... it is about love, acceptance tolerance,
"what you STAND FOR,
understanding, forgiveness
and togetherness.
It is about all the people, uniting together under one nation under God.
It is about the old saying, "can't everyone just get along"!
Do you remember these quotes and beliefs of
Martin Luther King...
For his life and his legacy,
I give thanks, and so it is!
"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 there skin but by the content of their character"
"Everything that is done in the world is done by hope"
"Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times."
"God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars."
"If I am not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there".
"Music is the art of the prophets and the gift of God."
"My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary".
"Peace if possible, truth at all costs".
"When schools flourish, all flourishes"
I can think of no better way to honor Martin Luther King today than to share some of his quotes and remember the man, the leader and to continue to honor the legacy. I hope that he is laughing in heaven and dancing in the lights. I feel certain that he would be saying to all of us, "I have a dream... I have a reality, I have faith; and all can do better, all can do better."
I wish he could have been here to see how so much has changed and then again... so much stays the same...
It is my sincere hope that I have not offended anyone with today's post... it is not my intention to offend, only to honor Martin Luther King today.
Walk In Beauty
author of Healing Heartaches, Stories of Loss and Life
3 comments:
Here, Here ! A great tribute to MLK, Jr.
A welcome blog, after the series.......
IRM
Wonderful message. Thank You for honoring his memory. Would that we all led lives where people would long remember our words. Be the change you want to see. You are right, Obama is so busy building consensus that he is failing to be the man, the leader we elected... I am disappointed that he has not continued to make color less important by his new definition that he is an African American. Why not just be a man of conviction. His convictions sadly have become convictions of convenience. We need him to step out front and be first an formost a leader. To inspire us to action. To stand strongly for his beliefs and stop looking for "middle ground". MLK would give him a swift kick. No matter who disagrees with you, if you believe strongly in your opinion, listen , really listen, adapt if you feel your opinion has really been influenced, but have the courage of your convictions. That is what a real leader does. We need Pres. Obama to be that kind of leader. Thank you for the opportunity to respond.
I watched the innauguration, with hope, like so many. And 1 year later am overwhelmingly positive that he is no better than all the other politicians who promise, promise, Promise, and then ultimately disappoint!
I remember MLK, we all should still dream whatever the color of our skin. I wonder what he would be thinking today?
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