Signing a promissory note for justice...

Dr. Martin Luther King is one of my true heroes. His pioneering efforts to lead a sea change of public opinion and political action across our country is nearly unmatched. In the words of Winston Churchill, "rarely have so many owed so much to so few." My favorite part of the speech is where he talks about the "promissory note" America has "signed" with all people to treat them equally with justice for all regardless of color, sex, or other attributes. Each year when I listen to this speech I find a different part compelling. Given today's climate in our country, I'm encouraged by his steadfast commitment to the "solid rock of brotherhood" and his optimism. Like MLK, may each of us be able to say that in 2008, "we refuse to believe the bank of justice is bankrupt."

Enjoy the holiday everyone!

PS

Here is what I posted last year about this day and how we celebrate it in our home.

Thank you, Dr. King

One of my all-time heroes is Dr. Martin Luther King. I am encouraged by the strength of his leadership through a very trying time in American history. It is amazing to me that his legacy was created practically within my life time and it has had such an impact on our culture.

Two short stories related to Dr. King...

First, this morning at breakfast I took about a half-hour and recounted a brief history of civil rights in American history to my two oldest children (Marcus came in an out as a four-year old is prone to do). It was very interesting to me to see how much they have learned about these issues in 2nd and 4th grades respectively. They were already familiar with several of the key concepts (Declaration of Independence, Emancipation Proclamation, Segregation, Rosa Parks...) but ignorant of some of the darker sides (Liberia, slave trading as an industry...). Anyway, after our long introduction, we all sat down and watched the "I Have a Dream" speech from the March (available on video, audio, and pdf here). It was a wonderful experience and I think we'll do it every year on MLK day.

Second, my wife shared a telling story. She said last week she was at Ralph's here in Malibu and on the TV Screen at checkout there was a brief segment on MLK. Behind her in line was a junior-high age girl with her mother. The young girl saw the video and said something like

"You know, if he were alive today he would have nothing to do. We don't have anything like that anymore."

Michelle said all the adults nearby sort of chuckled and sort of gasped. They tried to tell her that these issues were still very much a problem but it is perhaps not evident in Malibu (a 95% white community). Makes me wonder...did white (and black?) children in Maryland, New York, Michigan, California...in the 1960's "get it" with Dr. King? Or did they--like the Ugg wearing, BMW driving 16 year old at Ralph's--think "all that oppression is in the past".
I wonder...what are the injustices going on all around the world that I'm unaware of that 30 years from now my children will be teaching to my grandchildren as examples to learn from?