I Have A Dream Today

[wes]

"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." --Martin Luther King

What a terrific speech that was -- the "I Have A Dream" speech. There were so many others (I've been reading them today).

Dr. King was also a vehement anti-war speaker. In his time, he spoke out against the Vietnam War:

"All the while the people read our leaflets and received regular promises of peace and democracy, and land reform. Now they languish under our bombs and consider us -- The Real Enemy. They move sadly and apathetically as we herd them off the land of their fathers into concentration camps where minimal social needs are rarely met. They know they must move or be destroyed by our bombs." --Martin Luther King

Today, Dr. King would be likely be speaking out against the tyrannical Bush regime.

"We can no longer afford to worship the god of hate or bow before the altar of retaliation." --Martin Luther King

Today, Dr. King would probably continue to be supporting unions and striking workers, as he did on the eve of his murder:

"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." -- Martin Luther King

That's my favorite passage -- Martin Luther King appearing to support striking garbage workers in Memphis, Tennessee the day before his assassination -- from the "I've Been To The Mountaintop" speech.

We’ll get there yet.

[MOSSE]

Thanks very much for posting that, wes.

[harmony]

i remember i think the day he was shot

maybe i was in parking lot of school in 8th grade or maybe it was next day i heard

he seemed like a nice guy



Sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta (4 February 1968)

* Every now and then I guess we all think realistically about that day when we will be victimized with what is life's final common denominator — that something we call death. We all think about it. And every now and then I think about my own death, and I think about my own funeral. And I don't think of it in a morbid sense. Every now and then I ask myself, "What is it that I would want said?" And I leave the word to you this morning.

If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don't want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. Every now and then I wonder what I want them to say. Tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize, that isn't important. Tell them not to mention that I have three or four hundred other awards, that's not important. Tell him not to mention where I went to school.
I'd like somebody to mention that day, that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others. I'd like for somebody to say that day, that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to love somebody. I want you to say that day, that I tried to be right on the war question. I want you to be able to say that day, that I did try, in my life, to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say, on that day, that I did try, in my life, to visit those who were in prison. I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity.Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice; say that I was a drum major for peace; I was a drum major for righteousness.

[edit]

en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr.#Letter_from_a_Birmingham_Jail_.281963.29

[Duane]

I saw Kings former speach writer on TV tonight say that King would not approve of Gangtsa Rap