more than thirty years ago, the summer before i graduated from high school, i served as a youth representative to my church denomination's state assembly. it took place at the penn state (johnstown) campus. it would have been mostly memorable for the time i spent on the handball courts and at the pong machine but for one notable exception: the rev. martin luther king, sr. was the keynote speaker.i don't remember much about rev. king, but i do have a few clear memories: i shook his hand and thanked him for being there. he smiled and sincerely thanked me for having him (as if a mere teenager wielded that sort of power or influence). he struck me as a quietly proud, dignified gentleman, not unlike my grandfather.
i was old enough to be keenly aware of the impact rev. king and his family had on the civil rights movement; i had vivid memories of martin luther king, jr.'s assassination. i knew rev. king had to be an extraordinary man to influence and inspire his son. i was amazed that he could speak to us about him (among other things) so recently after his wife's tragic murder. the pain and grief had to be immense.
today, as barack obama becomes the 44th president of the united states, i am thinking about rev. king and the personal sacrifices he (and so many others) made so that we could reach a point in our history where a man -- finally -- wasn't judged by the color of his skin but by the content of his character. when i see racists, pessimists, neocons (who are mostly racists and pessimists in denial), historical revisionists, et al. trying to cast a pall over this remarkable achievement, i am saddened and troubled.
as we bask in this shining moment in our nation's history, let's take time to consider the road that has taken us this far -- and acknowledge that we still have quite a distance to go.
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3 comments:
Agreed... peace.. and thanks for sharing.
Dave
As someone who has come from a long line of racists and has experienced first hand the power of hate to divide and destroy, it was amazing today to watch and think how far we've come. But seeing the deep seeded hatred still reminds me that we have a long way to go. I am encouraged by the next generation that I teach all the time... they are much less hung up on race, or gender for that matter. It's my hope that the country can join together now and give him a chance... and to step up to the plate ourselves as well. I was moved this morning too. Thanks for sharing Rose. I have such an appreciation for the history and the sacrifce of so many to see this day. I'm glad the Tusgeegee Airmen could be there this morning too.
I did not know this about you, that you'd met Dr. King. I met Rosa Parks, briefly. Long enough to touch her hand, look into her enormous eyes (maybe that was the trifocals)and croak out a "Thank you..." Something we'll never forget, eh? You're brave to state your sentiments, considering who might read your blog. I admire you. Them's fighting words, these days! But you got integrity out the Eye-talian wazoo, girl. Good on ya.
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