httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs
I know that this may seem like an easy out for the video of the day, but I'd never really listened to this speech. On the day that most* of us take off from work to celebrate the birth of MLK, I think it's only right to listen to his words, and to examine our relationship to injustice and prejudice. Today is a day to reflect, and a day to challenge long held beliefs, in an effort to effect positive change in our world through nonviolent intervention.
Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.
If only we could all find a way to channel our feelings of injustice, of inequity, into such a positive, non-violent action for change.
*I work for an institution that believes MLK day isn't actually a holiday. I'm afforded two days off for Mardi Gras. Draw your own conclusions.
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Thanks for sharing this, meat. Cheap's guest DJ video superseded this one, but I saw it early this morning. I'm lucky enough to work in an industry that has been having some pretty serious conversations about race and diversity over the past year, and while I'm sometimes dismayed by how far we have to go, I'm also so grateful that the conversations are happening and hopeful for the future. So even though today is just another day at work for me, it has more meaning to me than MLK Day has often had in the past.
This is our greatest, and most American holiday. What could be more American than to celebrate the fight against oppression and injustice, and the fight for equal rights for all?
Something with a more capitalist bent, maybe?
like Christmas, you mean?
I'm shocked to discover that Louisiana isn't one of the states that participates in celebrating his birthday. Actually shocked.
Just remember: Sherman was president of LSU when the Civil War began.
Free and I have mentioned this before, but y'all should really read Taylor Branch's America in the King Years trilogy if you haven't. Incredible stuff. I actually found the last two books more entertaining as the Civil Rights movement splintered and MLK couldn't figure out where to take the momentum.
Adding to my wishlist.