Last year I posted a few excerpts from MLK’s famous speech, which I make a practice of reading in full on this day every year. I recommend you do too: his words remain immensely powerful to this day. Last year, for the first time, Grace and Whit watched the video of him delivering the speech. They were spellbound, and I plan to watch it with them again today.
…I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream….
…one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers….
…This will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with a new meaning, “My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.”
Martin Luther King, August 28, 1963
I always talk about this day with the kids, too. MLK’s words are so visionary and poetic–I get goose bumps and tears every time I watch his I Have A Dream speech.
I always talk about this day with the kids, too. MLK’s words are so visionary and poetic–I get goose bumps and tears every time I watch his I Have A Dream speech.
(That fist line about Light and Darkness…Wow. as I know you know, I have the same fascination with the relationship between these two intrinsically linked forces. Glad to read Dr. King’s words about them, here. Xo)
Love this post, for so many reasons. Thanks for sharing it.
Amen.
“Only love.” Sometimes, I think they’re the only words we really need. Thank you for reminding me of the spirit and the vision that we pause on this day to celebrate. And, belatedly, huge huge congratulations on finishing a draft of your manuscript. What a fine way to begin the year! YOU are a light, and I’m grateful for the illumination you bring to this weird, wonderful online world of ours.
I can’t remember ever watching the whole speech, so per your recommendation I did! WOW!!!! thank you, it brought tears to my eyes and created a meaningful tradition I plan to continue in years to come! You are an inspiration to me!
Oh goodness… Wish I had watched this with the girls today. Perhaps a belated viewing tomorrow.
My favorite Martin Luther King, Jr day ever will always be seven years ago, when I took my growing belly to a tribute where my unknown baby danced to these glorious words (and so many more). She still is drawn in by language and conscious of human rights in ways that astound me for one so young.