With the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Day comes a lot of reflection. Reflection on a time when we, as a society, were intolerant and unwilliing to understand the importance of cooperation. Cooperation by ALL of us.
I have been watching the story of Rosa Parks and doing some thinking. And, for the most part, that has me marveling at just how far we have come as a country ... and how far we have to go. I was a small child when Rosa Parks stood up for herself and thousands of others. I remember it vaguely, but by the time the early 1960s arrived I had a pretty good grip on my opinions.
In the movie there is a scene where Dr. King is delivering a speech in the Holt Street Baptist Church in defense of Rosa Parks' refusal to surrender her seat on the bus. While listening to the speech I was also hearing the words of our President-Elect.
Barack Obama will be sworn in tomorrow as the President of the United States. This, in and of itself, is a milestone for so many. For those in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955 to present day America. The years have passed, but the tensions still remain in many places.
It's time to put it to rest. To stop the separation of people based on their skin color, their ethnicity, their financial status, their educational achievements, or their abilities. There is no room for hatred in the world I live in. But there is room for understanding. I don't always agree with everything said about every issue. That would make me a puppet and I'm far from that.
But, if we allow ourselves the luxury, we can be more objective about our world. We can improve our own situations and become better human beings.
Life is not about money, success or material things. Life is about making a mark in the world, and for the better.
On December 5, 1955, Dr. King made this speech at the Holt Street Baptist Church. One portion of that speech stands out for me, and I have taken the liberty of posting it here.
How far have we come? How far do we have to go? Only time will tell.
"And we are not wrong; we are not wrong in what we are doing. (Well) If we are wrong, the Supreme Court of this nation is wrong. (Yes sir) [applause] If we are wrong, the Constitution of the United States is wrong. (Yes) [applause] If we are wrong, God Almighty is wrong. (That's right) [applause] If we are wrong, Jesus of Nazareth was merely a utopian dreamer that never came down to Earth. (Yes) [applause] If we are wrong, justice is a lie (Yes), love has no meaning. [applause] And we are determined here in Montgomery to work and fight until justice runs down like water (Yes), [applause] and righteousness like a mighty stream. (Keep talking) [Applause]"
We are certainly making history in the election of Barack Obama. And, regardless of your opinion or political affiliation, as Americans we need to step up and do our part to put our country back in shape. We are all suffering, and it will take all of us to cure that problem.
This is my dream. I like to think it paralells Dr. King's dream.
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