Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2011
As Martin Luther King Jr’s. Day, 2011 comes to an end, and as I reflect on what this day means, I don’t think I have the intelligence, the insight or the experience to comment on this great hero of mine. I definitely don’t have the credibility to comment on the era of history in which he lead.
All I can express on this day is my gratitude. I am so thankful for all that this man has contributed to humanity. I must admit though, in the spirit of this gratitude that I feel for this amazing individual, I am also overwhelmed with gratitude for the sacrifices made by thousands of people who have contributed toward building a bridge of hope toward Dr. King’s dream with their own blood over the years. People I have met personally like…
Ms. Joanne Bland of Selma Alabama who was 11 years old when she participated in the march across the Edmond Pettus Bridge on March 7, 1965. During that horrific day, known as Bloody Sunday, Ms. Bland witnessed fellow voting rights demonstrators receive brutal beatings and shootings. Over the years she has continued in her fight for human and civil rights. Her many accomplishments include co-founding the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute in Selma, Alabama.
Dr. John Perkins who endured the fatal shooting of his brother, by a police officer, for entering through the wrong door of a movie theatre. His brother was a World War 2 veteran who survived fighting in Germany, but could not survive the injustice in his own country. Dr. Perkins has gone on to be a great hero toward loosing the chains of injustice in our country, costing him a great deal of his own blood.
I could go on. There are countless heros who have given their lives to help us get to where we are today. I know that we have a long way to go in our journey toward justice and reconciliation, and I pray that I am not offending anyone by extending my thoughts on this day out toward other heros who have given so much and in many cases died to move us forward.
There is simply a whole generation of people who suffered greatly and like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. died for their convictions with the hope that their sacrifices might make a way for their children and grand children to have a better life. A good many people from that generation are still alive today…and I just want to communicate one thing on this third Monday in January commemorating the birthday of one of the greatest men in history. As far as me and my house hold is concerned, their sacrifices will never be forgotten…Thank You…
