Tuesday, January 15, 2008

The Times They Are A Changin'-Happy Birthday Dr. King--the Fight Continues On A Higher Level...


Photo Source
Senators Barack Obama(Ill.),Hillary Clinton(NY) and former

Senator John Edwards(S.C)- Las Vegas,Nevada Debates,Tuesday,Jan.15,2008



In light of what may now be viewed by many as a mounting, and at the very least, dead heat battle between Democratic presidential candidates Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois in a contest for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination,( more...) and this is Dr. King's birthday,I thought I'd share some reflections.

Of course, there are other candidates including former Senator John Edwards of South Carolina,also running in the Democratic race. On the Republican side we have several ,including but not limited to, Senators John McCain of Arizona, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney of Michigan and Mike Huckabee,past governor of Arkansas.

I thought I'd lift this blog which I wrote last year on www.heavieroctaves.com in celebration of the King holiday(scroll down). Why not celebrate with reflections on the dream this entire week leading up to the official federal celebration on Monday,January 21,2008?

I believe its safe to say that Dr. King would be proud concerning advances we have made in the struggle for human rights and racial equality, while on the other hand dismayed by some of the setbacks we have experienced. Poverty still exists and wars rage on.Even in light of these harsh realities and despite the customary fray and political jockeying for front-runner status which besets presidential races, across the party lines,this year's campaign has the promise to be one of the most exciting in the history of this country.

Yes.An African American man and a woman are both running in the same race at the same time in history as viable candidates.A dream come true for many African Americans, and also, for women who have never before had a real concrete shot at putting one of their own in the White House.

Amid the heated debates,the sometimes biting remarks, mud-slinging and the very subtle or blatant efforts at racial polarization from various factions of Republican, Democratic and independent voters or non-voting members of the general population,there is hope and we must keep it alive.Let's "keep hope alive", as Rev.Jesse Jackson does or have the "Audacity of Hope"like Senator Obama.

Let's also pray for peace while remembering Dr.King's dream constructively,as it appears in the process of materializing into sound reality, whether the next President of the United States is an African American male or a white female. Either result would be a first for this country. And, a move in a progressive direction for this country.I think based on the impressive level of skill and qualification each candidate brings to the table,that would be progress no matter your spin.

If Obama wins the nomination and goes on to victory in the national elections,Dr. King's dream that a person be judged not by the color of their skin,but by the content of their character will have become a reality in the presidential election process.And,he would be proud that many who would have without question been hosed down,lynched or jailed decades ago for exercising that right, now are having the opportunity to register, making their vote count, while in the process affirming the potency of the Voting Rights Act. The fact that an African American man is electable and that those previously disenfranchised may now be casting a deciding ballots has got to be motivating.One thing for sure,it is a measure of this country's greatness.

Harnessing the tremendous enthusiasm generated by Obama's candidacy and grass roots organizing wizardry may be the key to future political progress and bipartisan problem solving in this country. It certainly has the clout and momentum to set the tone of this year's race and the direction of Presidential races yet to come.It's wide open.

That is very exciting indeed.Keep the dream alive.

Happy Birthday,

Cynthia
________________________

First Published-January 15,2007

This blog post is in honor of today's holiday and committed to the memory of one of the greatest moral leaders of our time."I Have A Dream" is our Profile "speech" of the Week. March_on_Washington_for_Jobs_and_Freedom.jpg Happy birthday Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. May your spirit,dream and legacy continue to live on through future generations. To those tuning in,listen carefully to the words of his most famous speech, "I Have A Dream",considered to be one of the greatest speeches in history, posted below. If you were alive then,or were fortunate enough to attend the speech delivered from the Lincoln Memorial,with a crowd so enormous it spanned the National Mall reaching outwards beyond the Washington Monument,then you know that progress has been made in our society since the days of the "March On Washington". However,some current leaders legitimately question that progress.

If you were not yet born,then go to the nearest public library,or retail bookstore,read a book on the subject or google further and learn something additional about Dr.King and the struggles to make this holiday a reality. It took a very extensive effort,including a hard fought legislative battle by many to legalize it. In fact, Motown recording artist,Stevie Wonder,played a very prominent role in making the King holiday a reality.His song "Happy Birthday" was dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. and was instrumental in promoting the holiday's concept and contributed to the ultimate success of the bill being passed by Congress. To hear a sample of the song from Wonder's "Hotter Than July" CD click here. How does this writer know? In addition to the googling I did to secure the specifics to share with you,and having not been under a rock for the last twenty-five years,I actually spent a good deal of "real time" during the late 70's and early 80's attending rallies and concerts in support of the effort,and a good friend(law school buddy) was one of Stevie Wonder's principal organizers in the King Holiday legalization campaign.So,I had an inside track,so to speak.

Throughout Dr.King's struggle in the Civil Rights Movement,there were other recording artists who sang Civil Rights' songs and rallied the cause musically,including Bob Dylan,(Blowin' in the Wind","The Times They Are a Changin")Joan Baez,Peter,Paul and Mary ("If I Had A Hammer"),Nina Simone ("Mississippi Goddam") and Pete Seeger,the official listed author of "We Shall Overcome",though it was said to have been derived from a 1903 Gospel song. It became the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement and is listed on the 2004 Mojo Magazine Top 100 Protest Songs of all times.

Peace, Cynthia(Revcoolc)
Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 at 10:17PM by Registered CommenterCynthia | CommentsPost a Comment | References1 Reference | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Currently Reading:




Related Articles and blogs:

Report: Obama Plans Ebenezer Baptist Visit

Ebenezer Baptist Church Reflection Photo

Poverty,Racism and Katrina-First Stop Atlanta,Georgia

Weekend Inspiration:July 20-22,2007: Creativessel Inspirations-Remembering My First Love and Offering Some Friendly Advice



Featured Posts

Cynthia Wilson Updated Contact Information

  Multi-City Locations/Addresses: In the Detroit area: Cynthia Wilson  1420 Washington Blvd. Suite 301 Detroit, Michigan 48226 Email- creati...

Corona Virus Prayer