Honoring Dr King
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Honoring Dr King
This weekend many people are honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King, who was gunned down in Memphis, Tennessee, 40 years ago on April 4, 1968.
We know that he was a champion of non-violent protest for social change, and his writings and speeches still resonate for many activists. But I hope that people also know is that it was because of him that many of us found the courage to stand up and be counted.
I remember thinking as a teenager just how bold and brave he was to speak out in a white dominated society. I was thrilled. You were in such a minority to speak out against any injustice back then but he led by example and everybody was listening. He was so wise and passionate that we all felt called to follow him.
So it's not just that Martin Luther King, Jr, was a brilliant orator and facilitator-- he's all that and more, he is also who he is because he helped show us the way.
This weekend many people are honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King, who was gunned down in Memphis, Tennessee, 40 years ago on April 4, 1968.
We know that he was a champion of non-violent protest for social change, and his writings and speeches still resonate for many activists. But I hope that people also know is that it was because of him that many of us found the courage to stand up and be counted.
I remember thinking as a teenager just how bold and brave he was to speak out in a white dominated society. I was thrilled. You were in such a minority to speak out against any injustice back then but he led by example and everybody was listening. He was so wise and passionate that we all felt called to follow him.
So it's not just that Martin Luther King, Jr, was a brilliant orator and facilitator-- he's all that and more, he is also who he is because he helped show us the way.
