Although his life was cut short (January 15, 1929—April 4, 1968), Dr Martin Luther King‘s legacy in the Civil Rights Movement and his impassioned speeches live on. One memorable day, on August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King gave his “I Have A Dream” Speech as part of his Address at the March on Washington in Washington, D.C. Little did he know that his inspiring message will continue to resonate in the hearts and minds of people around the world. Dr King was a visionary, a man with great kismet, and his message in the Dream speech was a gift and a blessing to remind us all that we are one spirit… Today, I am grateful to honor his memory and legacy.
“I know my country has not perfected itself. At times, we’ve struggled to keep the promise of liberty and equality for all of our people. We’ve made our share of mistakes, and there are times when our actions around the world have not lived up to our best intentions.” President Barack Obama
Dr. Martin Luther King & President Obama: Faith In The Dream…
This is also a special day because President Obama was sworn in for his 2nd term as the leader of this great nation. He is a product of the dream and my prayer is that we all find it in our hearts to encourage and support others to pursue their dreams regardless of isms and barriers. We can be a light in someone’s life; especially someone from another ethnicity, religion or culture. Let’s do our bit for our community, Dr King’s legacy and build faith in the dream.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr.: A Legacy Of Courage & Hope…
On April 3,1968, the day before he was assassinated, Dr. King addressed a rally at the Mason Temple in Memphis Tennessee. He had delivered a speech “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” and made a reference to the fact that his flight to Memphis had been delayed by a bomb threat. The excerpt above was his final comment and essentially the last portion of his final public speech to us all. He left with his entourage and checked into Room 306 at the Lorraine Motel. Kismet: A Single Garment…
Yesterday was Dr. Martin Luther King‘s birthday, and today is the designated National Holiday in the USA. While many of us will pause and reflect on the legacy of courage and hope that he shared with the world, others will continue their legacy of hatred and ignorance… Thankfully, the voices of truth, reason, justice, and goodwill are never diminished by the cacophony of the rest. Dr. MLK lived an extraordinary life and made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the Civil Rights Movement would succeed and not become another mirage. His grace, eloquence and prophetic messages/legacy continue to resonate in the lives of many people around the world.
The following day, April 4, 1968, he was in the company of The Reverend Ralph Abernathy, Jesse Jackson and other close friends. Ben Branch, a musician, was also present and scheduled to play that night at an event that Dr King was to attend. According to Jesse, Dr. King’s last words on the balcony before he was murdered were said to Ben. He said, “Ben, make sure you play “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” in the meeting tonight. Play it real pretty.” Kismet: A Single Garment…
As I worked on this post, I decided to share another important part of his life story. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. loved the hymnal “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” and, as the story of his last moment goes, before he was murdered, he turned to Ben Branch, a musician on tour with him and he said, “Ben, make sure you play “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” in the meeting tonight. Play it real pretty.” Dr. King’s life was not lived in vain. Many of us have opportunities today that were only figments of our imagination during the movement. I am grateful for all the good people around the world who continue the effort to ensure we can live together in peace… More below.
We have all come across many quotes by Dr MLK that we love, and many of us have favorites that we reference from time to time. A few of my favorite MLK quotes (see below) come from the I Have A Dream speech because they speak to a period in history when our dreams were still deferred and not quite our reality:
“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. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“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 together at the table of brotherhood.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
As I said in a post I wrote last year about this anniversary, Dr King’s eloquence and courage has always been a source of great fascination and pride to me. It remains my dearest hope that we will continue to honor his legacy and spirit by honoring the best in each other. What are your thoughts? Do Share!
Positive Motivation Tip: We can choose to be a beacon of light in the world or an icon for ignorance and hate; what we believe, we become… Good begets good.
“All I’m saying is simply this, that all life is interrelated, that somehow we’re caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. For some strange reason, I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. You can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Kismet: Martin Luther King, Jr ~ I Had A Dream ~ Famous Speech at March to Washington Rally
Part II – Kismet:Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr ~ A Single Garment of Destiny Dr. Martin Luther King Jr left an indelible mark on the lives of many around the world. Today, as we celebrate the enormous impact his life’s work and divine calling had on the Civil Rights Movement, I am again drawn to the subject of destiny. As Dr King so eloquently explains above, all life is interrelated and it behooves us to recognize that when we deny others the right to be, we inevitably diminish our own chance at true greatness. It was with this spirit that he carried the torch of equality in his heart, knowing somehow, that even if he did not reach that promised land or place of freedom, others will definitely get there. We are all cloaked in that garment of destiny; albeit to different degrees.
As I was pondering which story to share with you today, I re-read I’ve Been To The Mountaintop on Wikipedia and felt compelled to share both an excerpt of the speech and the back-story with you below. What is so striking about that speech, aside from it being his last one, is the tone of finality and the assurance in a higher power or intelligence.
And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers? 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. MLK
On April 3,1968, the day before he was assassinated, Dr. King addressed a rally at the Mason Temple in Memphis Tennessee. He had delivered a speech “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” and made a reference to the fact that his flight to Memphis had been delayed by a bomb threat. The excerpt above was his final comment and essentially the last portion of his final public speech to us all. He left with his entourage and checked into Room 306 at the Lorraine Motel. Read: More below…
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