Because of the political climate in the US right now and also because it is a day we need to recognize now more than ever, I thought I'd dedicate today's post to MLK day.
I think an important piece of history we often have heard about but most have not read in it's entirety is the Letter from a Birmingham Jail (link in title). He did struggle with what was happening around him. He was frustrated with everyone telling him to "wait" for others to either catch up or let others finally do what was right. For this he states:
This "Wait" has almost always meant "Never."
He reiterated:
We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that "justice too long delayed is justice denied."
This brings me to this point we often hear:
I think we may be at this point again so it is important to speak up.
Why are we at this point again? Well, it isn't just the recent elections. I feel this has been coming for some time now and we have all ignored the signs because we didn't believe that we would truly have to go through this again in this country. That we would be led so far back.
An example of this is Rep. Bob Thorpe (R) AZ has recently introduced a house bill to ban almost any gathering or courses in colleges that even discusses social injustice especially those of racial equality (link to NY Daily News Article). So yes, it is happening now. I also have no doubt it will not be the last of them nor will it be contained to just racial injustice.
So, I think to honor this man truly we need to stand up once again and forever for those principals he fought so hard to get into our consciousness.
And it is good to know that John Lewis, who worked with Martin Luther King Jr. is still working hard for all of us. This is what he said against the nomination for Sen. Sessions.
Democrats went relatively easy on Jeff Sessions. Then John Lewis got up to speak.
I'll leave you with a bit of song and one last thought.
We all have it within ourselves to chose the latter course no matter how small of an act.
I didn't know that there was a day like that
ReplyDeleteIn the US it is a federal holiday. :) Despite AZ trying to take it away in their state. What is happening there??
DeleteThank you for sharing. I know it's we're always confronted with the idea that we are book bloggers first and not political bloggers, but we are also humans. We need to use our platforms for the common good. And your post is very important because I can guarantee that most of the American people probably doesn't even about that legislation that was brought forth by a conservative (surprise, surprise) law maker. This makes me so mad.
ReplyDeletePolitics affects us all and I don't want to shy away from it especially in the climate that has sprung it's ugly head. This angers me as well and even though I'm a small blog, hopefully I've made a few more people aware of what is going on.
DeleteThanks so much for posting about this today!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWe've come so far but still have so far to go. And it feels like we're sliding back instead.
ReplyDeleteKaren @For What It's Worth
Yep, and yep. However, there are more people speaking out than any other time in history so I'm grateful for that!
DeleteAmen! Well put my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteNice quotes
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
DeleteThanks for sharing Melissa. So true that it ma be easy to put our heads in the sand, bu only if we are then willing to accept responsibility for refusing to take any action.
ReplyDeleteI so agree!
DeleteWell said! Thank you for this awesome post.
ReplyDeleteThanks!!
DeleteI love some of his speeches Melissa. The man spoke to the masses.
ReplyDeleteSo true. :)
DeleteWord! Wonderful post, Melissa. That type of stuff hasn't really stopped in certain areas (including here in CA), but it's getting louder now. And those who fight for equality and such need to be even louder.
ReplyDeleteI so agree! We need to be loud!!
DeleteMLK was an inspiration of freedom and equality. I just wish that I could say the same for the president elect. Great post, glad to see that people are not losing hope and sight of what is important
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think it lit a fire under a lot of people.
DeleteI actually had never heard some of these before... Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh glad you liked them! :)
DeleteAgreed! I will be with you all in spirit on Sat!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Another thing I saw a lot of on MLK day was a "white-washing" of his quotes. There was little from the right that were taken from that letter. Most were just quotes of piece. And seeing people trying to tell Lewis what King would say, made me want to throw things. Lewis probably new King better than almost anyone alive today. Grrr. Anyway, great posts and great quotes.
ReplyDeleteMelanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads
I can't believe they would try to school Lewis! Wait a minute, actually I do believe it. 🙄 That is also why I posted a link to the actual letter so people can read it for themselves. It is a university link that studies MLK and others.
DeleteGirl! I love how passionate you are about your country and it's current state. We are all going to be on edge, I think!
ReplyDelete