Martin Luther King Jr.

Today is a special day throughout America. Not just for African-Americans but for all Americans. We honor what I feel is America’s first Prophet. Other nations throughout the world with their ancient history have stories throughout time of special men and women. People who have changed the course of their nation’s history and culture to such a degree that the people they impacted were never the same again. I have to admit I always looked at Martin Luther King Jr. as a hero of the “black” population. A man who lifted up his people and inspired them to greatness. For how can this country at the time ask a black man to defend his country in the military, yet turn around and leave him defenseless in his own country? At the time how could this country ask a black man or woman to bring glory to their country on the world’s stage in the Olympics and not bring that same glory to him at home? This country needed Martin Luther King the same way as we needed George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, or Franklin Roosevelt. For Martin Luther King gave America back it’s soul. Providing the moral compass to hold injustice up to America’s face and say live up to greatness.

 My whole point of view on MLK changed when I watched a documentary on him. I saw a video clip of him marching through some southern town. During the march some kind of explosion happened. Either it was a firecracker or backblast from a car exhaust and MLK  jumped from the noise. At the moment I realized MLK was not some fictional Superman. He was a man who at the time had fear. Who knew what the stakes were on his life and he was scared. But he kept marching. He faced his fear with dignity and courage. A lesson we all can learn and apply even today. For it is only human to be scared when you try to change the social order and fight injustice. But as MLK showed you must keep marching.

I’ve included two of MLK’s speeches. The “I have a dream” speech which is just utterly amazing, powerful, and poetic. And apparently his last speech which if it does not give you goosebumps you have no soul. Also his words are very prophetic and dark. Enjoy.

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