Martin Luther King Jr. The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We celebrate him today in America. He is world famous, but he is indisputably one of us. He was an American. He was a citizen like you and me. He is an American founding father like Washington. He is a redeemer of the American Revolution like Lincoln and Douglass. He is an American martyr like his peers John and Robert Kennedy, who were murdered by hatred, while leading the country over the next rise towards the place that Martin Luther King would see first.
Thank you so much for this post. I just finished reading Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s letter from the Birmingham Jail. The first time ever reading it. Not much has changed since then. For me, this letter is as important as Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, among the others you mentioned. His love not only for humanity, his faith, and for the ideals this country was founded upon shines through. It’s such a shame how little importance is placed upon it when teaching about the history of the United States. I am proud to now have read this, and that I am an extremist for love.
I’ve witnessed segregation firsthand while visiting my parents families in both Northern Ireland and Scotland in the 1970’s/80’s. Both my parents emigrated here for a better life. Both thought very highly of both MLK and the Kennedys. I’ve participated in non violent protests in front of the UK embassy in the late 70’s, often to no avail. I remember when the first hunger strikers died in Long Kesh. I have family that were imprisoned there. Another piece of history that parallels the championing of overcoming segregation in religion, politics and education. What upsets me is even my siblings seem to have forgotten what our own family went through, and our family history is no different. Probably way too much information, but I find it relevant and in solidarity for my fellow Americans marginalized because of the color of their skin, religious beliefs and/or who they love.
Thank you Steve for this inspiring tribute to MLK. I'm posting a link to Mahalia Jackson singing Jericho on stage with MLK. (link above) I love the way MLK is smiling and the passionate and loving energy in the church. MLK: "We Have A Movement" I feel deeply touched and inspired when I watch this. We must continue to realize MLK's vision. We still have a dream. Thank you all here today!
I read this earlier and listened to his speech. Growing up in central Indiana, in a small all white community, during the 60’s and 70’s, was a confusing time. So much was happening, so much was changing. I think trying to take it all in as a kid & teenager and then observing and listening to the adults lead to the confusion. My family members were racist, all our parents were. No other way of saying it. I don’t think I thought that at the time, but I remember being quietly shocked at things that were said.
So I had to learn about MLK later in life, as I gained exposure to the world outside of that small community. Sadly, not a great deal has changed, some, but not what one would expect these many years later.
Hearts and minds. Can be difficult to reach/change for those still living in their protective bubble.
I will be reflecting on this all day. Thank you for posting the links. I was immediately drawn to this quote in the letter,
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.”
Too often we fail to recognize this (or just don’t care).
May we all pause and consider our actions, not just today but each and every day, and the effect they have on other races, colors, creeds, religions, and national origins.
America is a wonderfully flawed country, but together we can fulfill the “Dream” of what America can be.
Today is a call to reflection and action. What must we do, today, tomorrow, next week, next year to bring his vision to reality. Good to commemorate but better to act.
Thank you Steve for honoring Dr Martin Luther King today with something more than common platitudes. That letter you linked to is a gem capturing the essence of Dr King and what he believed. We can all honor Dr King in word and deed by helping to ensure that his vision lives on today in spite of the hatred and gaslighting that is so prevalent. There are a lot of topics you could have written about today but I’m so glad you wrote this one.
Hatred may have taken Dr. King's mortal being but it has not extinguished his eternal flame. His memory and achievements in Human rights have brought us out of the shadows of segregation into a more righteous America. We will always have hatred from the misguided who will never believe in the brotherhood of man. However, they are now in the minority and as each day renews a new opportunity for a better day arises with the sunrise. We are a long way off from the promise land but the journey is ongoing. There may be delays along the way but the progress and momentum will move ever forward. Hate may win a minor skirmish but can never win a war for freedom. Love is stronger than hate and love will win and carry us across the finish line to a better future.
I have always thought it haunting, like Lincoln, He seemed to know His life would not be a long life. I think the monument in Washington was breathtaking. And was happy to see the sculpture unveiled in Boston yesterday. He will always remain, in my mind, one of the heroes of our Country. We need more MLK and no KKK if we are to ever have a peaceful Country.
America is a racist country. We must face the fact that while not everyone is a racist at least 45% of the US is. The American approach to different races is a dichotomy. All of our ancestors immigrated to this great country from somewhere else. They were escaping poverty, religious bigotry, hunger and classism. Our ancestors brought with them the treatment they had experienced in their former countries. Unfortunately, they inflicted the same racist, classism, religious bigotry they fled from onto the original peoples of this land. When enslaved people were introduced by the Spanish conquistors the were treated with distain and racism. For 45% of the voting population these attitudes of hate and fear still exist. We are a young country soon to be 250 years old. Our experiment of inclusiveness is still a ongoing progression. 158 years have passed since the end of slavery. We have progressed from 100% of the population hating black people and other races to 45%. I guess we could call that progress.
Thank you Steve Schmidt for posting that fine tribute to a Great American on his birthday and sharing with his the full eloquence of his last speech. We have all heard the ending, but the speech is a treasure for speech givers to follow, for writers to think for philosophers to follow and for citizens to understand. I marched with Dr. King in the Open Housing marches in Chicago in 1966 and the anti-Vietnam War march in Chicago in 1967. Dr. King was an amazing man, and he truly sought truth and justice for all mankind.
In Santa Barbara, CA, i used to teach a class "Healing Our World" about solutions (achieved in the past and needed in the present) to various injustices and pressing problems. Dr. King was one of my exemplars of engaged spirituality on these fronts, his utterly peaceful, always respectful, Gandhian *satyagrahi* approach a consummate lesson for anyone who stands up for justice.
I've been searching this morning for my vast file of MLK quotes but can't find it (had to get a new computer a few weeks ago and can't find all sorts of things transferred to it), but Steve, knowing your passion for the media side of politics, you and everyone might find useful this scathing piece by Matt Taibbi from 2019:
Well expressed, Steve...On this day every year, I participate in a march in downtown Stamford, remembering this giant of a human being. Usually it is cold. Today it is very cold. This day evokes a terrible sadness in me, as I wish so much that this great American had not been assassinated, that we were further along in our collective quest for equality and justice...at this particular time in our country, division, racism, injustice are all around us. Somehow, in honoring Dr. King's legacy, we all must do better to help remedy the ills that surround us. I mean we ALL need to do more. I must try to regain the idealism that used to define me. It was his belief in the possibility of a better world that propelled Dr. King, after all...
I visited Washington, D.C. for the first time about 15 years ago. I was at a conference, and I was alone. One evening, I booked a ticket for a "Monuments and Memorials at Night" tour. It was a small group, just me and a handful of others.
The last two stops on the tour were the MLK Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. Although completely different in style, these memorials - and these men - have much in common. Both feature a towering statue of a towering figure in history. Both feature huge stone slabs inscribed with each man's immortal words. Both brought me to tears.
But what I did not know until I was there was that an inscription on a marble step at the Lincoln Memorial marks the place where King stood to deliver the "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963. Kneeling on the stairs and placing my hand on the inscription, I felt I was in a place as holy as any church. Holding the thought of Lincoln looking down, both literally and figuratively, as King spoke of a dream that both men shared was a spiritual experience unlike any I'd previously had.
I pray that their shared dream is realized one day, and I hope it is soon.
Would like to mention that recently elected Senator Rafael Warnock ministers at the same church in Atlanta where MLK Jr. preached.
Thank you so much for this post. I just finished reading Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s letter from the Birmingham Jail. The first time ever reading it. Not much has changed since then. For me, this letter is as important as Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, among the others you mentioned. His love not only for humanity, his faith, and for the ideals this country was founded upon shines through. It’s such a shame how little importance is placed upon it when teaching about the history of the United States. I am proud to now have read this, and that I am an extremist for love.
I’ve witnessed segregation firsthand while visiting my parents families in both Northern Ireland and Scotland in the 1970’s/80’s. Both my parents emigrated here for a better life. Both thought very highly of both MLK and the Kennedys. I’ve participated in non violent protests in front of the UK embassy in the late 70’s, often to no avail. I remember when the first hunger strikers died in Long Kesh. I have family that were imprisoned there. Another piece of history that parallels the championing of overcoming segregation in religion, politics and education. What upsets me is even my siblings seem to have forgotten what our own family went through, and our family history is no different. Probably way too much information, but I find it relevant and in solidarity for my fellow Americans marginalized because of the color of their skin, religious beliefs and/or who they love.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odHqG1rA4M8
Thank you Steve for this inspiring tribute to MLK. I'm posting a link to Mahalia Jackson singing Jericho on stage with MLK. (link above) I love the way MLK is smiling and the passionate and loving energy in the church. MLK: "We Have A Movement" I feel deeply touched and inspired when I watch this. We must continue to realize MLK's vision. We still have a dream. Thank you all here today!
I read this earlier and listened to his speech. Growing up in central Indiana, in a small all white community, during the 60’s and 70’s, was a confusing time. So much was happening, so much was changing. I think trying to take it all in as a kid & teenager and then observing and listening to the adults lead to the confusion. My family members were racist, all our parents were. No other way of saying it. I don’t think I thought that at the time, but I remember being quietly shocked at things that were said.
So I had to learn about MLK later in life, as I gained exposure to the world outside of that small community. Sadly, not a great deal has changed, some, but not what one would expect these many years later.
Hearts and minds. Can be difficult to reach/change for those still living in their protective bubble.
Thanks for this Steve.
I will be reflecting on this all day. Thank you for posting the links. I was immediately drawn to this quote in the letter,
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.”
Too often we fail to recognize this (or just don’t care).
May we all pause and consider our actions, not just today but each and every day, and the effect they have on other races, colors, creeds, religions, and national origins.
America is a wonderfully flawed country, but together we can fulfill the “Dream” of what America can be.
Today is a call to reflection and action. What must we do, today, tomorrow, next week, next year to bring his vision to reality. Good to commemorate but better to act.
Thank you Steve for honoring Dr Martin Luther King today with something more than common platitudes. That letter you linked to is a gem capturing the essence of Dr King and what he believed. We can all honor Dr King in word and deed by helping to ensure that his vision lives on today in spite of the hatred and gaslighting that is so prevalent. There are a lot of topics you could have written about today but I’m so glad you wrote this one.
Hatred may have taken Dr. King's mortal being but it has not extinguished his eternal flame. His memory and achievements in Human rights have brought us out of the shadows of segregation into a more righteous America. We will always have hatred from the misguided who will never believe in the brotherhood of man. However, they are now in the minority and as each day renews a new opportunity for a better day arises with the sunrise. We are a long way off from the promise land but the journey is ongoing. There may be delays along the way but the progress and momentum will move ever forward. Hate may win a minor skirmish but can never win a war for freedom. Love is stronger than hate and love will win and carry us across the finish line to a better future.
Over half a century later, his words still inspire. Simply amazing.
I have always thought it haunting, like Lincoln, He seemed to know His life would not be a long life. I think the monument in Washington was breathtaking. And was happy to see the sculpture unveiled in Boston yesterday. He will always remain, in my mind, one of the heroes of our Country. We need more MLK and no KKK if we are to ever have a peaceful Country.
America is a racist country. We must face the fact that while not everyone is a racist at least 45% of the US is. The American approach to different races is a dichotomy. All of our ancestors immigrated to this great country from somewhere else. They were escaping poverty, religious bigotry, hunger and classism. Our ancestors brought with them the treatment they had experienced in their former countries. Unfortunately, they inflicted the same racist, classism, religious bigotry they fled from onto the original peoples of this land. When enslaved people were introduced by the Spanish conquistors the were treated with distain and racism. For 45% of the voting population these attitudes of hate and fear still exist. We are a young country soon to be 250 years old. Our experiment of inclusiveness is still a ongoing progression. 158 years have passed since the end of slavery. We have progressed from 100% of the population hating black people and other races to 45%. I guess we could call that progress.
And the USA govt killed him!
Sadly history skips over this inconvenience.
He was one of the greatest men in recent global history.
Republicans love to quote him. But they don’t live up to any hand picked quote.
Democrats lift your game. The john lewis voting bill should of passed. You weaklings.
Thank you Steve Schmidt for posting that fine tribute to a Great American on his birthday and sharing with his the full eloquence of his last speech. We have all heard the ending, but the speech is a treasure for speech givers to follow, for writers to think for philosophers to follow and for citizens to understand. I marched with Dr. King in the Open Housing marches in Chicago in 1966 and the anti-Vietnam War march in Chicago in 1967. Dr. King was an amazing man, and he truly sought truth and justice for all mankind.
In Santa Barbara, CA, i used to teach a class "Healing Our World" about solutions (achieved in the past and needed in the present) to various injustices and pressing problems. Dr. King was one of my exemplars of engaged spirituality on these fronts, his utterly peaceful, always respectful, Gandhian *satyagrahi* approach a consummate lesson for anyone who stands up for justice.
I've been searching this morning for my vast file of MLK quotes but can't find it (had to get a new computer a few weeks ago and can't find all sorts of things transferred to it), but Steve, knowing your passion for the media side of politics, you and everyone might find useful this scathing piece by Matt Taibbi from 2019:
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/mlk-editorials-taibbi-783988/
The Annual ‘Misremembering Dr. King’ Editorials Roll In
This year’s offerings in one of the most dependable clichés in American journalism
By MATT TAIBBI 1/24/19
Well expressed, Steve...On this day every year, I participate in a march in downtown Stamford, remembering this giant of a human being. Usually it is cold. Today it is very cold. This day evokes a terrible sadness in me, as I wish so much that this great American had not been assassinated, that we were further along in our collective quest for equality and justice...at this particular time in our country, division, racism, injustice are all around us. Somehow, in honoring Dr. King's legacy, we all must do better to help remedy the ills that surround us. I mean we ALL need to do more. I must try to regain the idealism that used to define me. It was his belief in the possibility of a better world that propelled Dr. King, after all...
I visited Washington, D.C. for the first time about 15 years ago. I was at a conference, and I was alone. One evening, I booked a ticket for a "Monuments and Memorials at Night" tour. It was a small group, just me and a handful of others.
The last two stops on the tour were the MLK Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. Although completely different in style, these memorials - and these men - have much in common. Both feature a towering statue of a towering figure in history. Both feature huge stone slabs inscribed with each man's immortal words. Both brought me to tears.
But what I did not know until I was there was that an inscription on a marble step at the Lincoln Memorial marks the place where King stood to deliver the "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963. Kneeling on the stairs and placing my hand on the inscription, I felt I was in a place as holy as any church. Holding the thought of Lincoln looking down, both literally and figuratively, as King spoke of a dream that both men shared was a spiritual experience unlike any I'd previously had.
I pray that their shared dream is realized one day, and I hope it is soon.