As the Mesa Martin Luther King Jr. Committee prepares for the annual 2013 Celebration of Dr. King’s life, Legacy and dreams this weekend, my thoughts are not only on Dr. King but also on President Abraham Lincoln.
I recently saw the Movie “Lincoln” over the holidays; it was indeed one of the best movies I’ve seen in decades. As a child and young adult I’ve all heard how President Lincoln was the man behind the Emancipation Proclamation 150 years ago – thus ending slavery and later ending the Civil War, which took thousands of young Americans lives on both sides of that conflict.
Regardless of all the fighting that took place, that war and slavery came to their ends because of a few committed men endlessly going back and forth negotiating behind close doors. I’ve always had admiration and respect for Lincoln but that Hollywood movie – although I’m sure not exactly 100 percent accurate – did bring a new perspective and appreciation for his commitment and passion to get that Proclamation passed, and bring slavery and the war to an end.
So thank you, Honest Abe.
Like Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was also on a mission for racial equality, including human and civil rights for all men.
King’s steadfast commitment toward non-violence, accompanied with patient perseverance, also led him to meet with men behind close doors.
While on that battlefield there were marches, rallies and boycotts, the savior in that battle was the media. TV nightly news and news papers were key and instrumental with that cause and effect, showing marches being spit upon, attacked by mobs, police dogs, water cannons and more.
Yes, that mainstream media was the savior to the 1960s civil rights movement success in the Deep South.
America’s conscience was called into question and voices throughout America were heard loud and clear. The once-hard corps who embraced segregation would soften that strangle hold and do the right thing, ultimately resulting in integration.
Many Americans also died in that movement. Both Dr. King and President Lincoln never got to see the fruit of their labor or dreams.
I’ve written before (in 2008) on my thoughts of how Dr. King would react when Barack Obama was elected as the President. My thoughts are now on President Lincoln, and I think he’d be tickled knowing that President Obama will once again be residing in that big house at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. while serving his second term.
How fitting that on Monday, Jan. 21 – MLK Day – the Nation will celebrate the life, legacy and dreams of Dr. King and once again celebrate the inauguration of President Obama.
Like many Americans, I will reflect on both events Monday. However, my heart will hold a special place, thoughts and tribute for a man named Lincoln.
Lord, Thank you for your good and faithful servants, Abraham and Martin. I invite you to join us, the Mesa MLK Committee, for a weekend of reflection and fun-filled events. We are, indeed, “Many Faces … One Community."
John Goodie of Gilbert is a Mesa park ranger.
VofReason posted at 12:48 pm on Wed, Jan 23, 2013.
President Obama put his hand on Bibles? Perish the thought. What happen to the strict ordinance of seperation of church and state we hear so often on these pages? You know, how we now live in an entirely secular world and that anyone who (gasp) believes in God is outdated. Guess those commenters may have to go back to the echo chamber and see what George Soros and Moveon.org wants them to think now. I mean how can the President make such a misstep on such a grand stage? To the rest of us, we realize it is business as usual- God is great.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 10:55 pm on Tue, Jan 22, 2013.
I sure didn't see very much "diversity" in the audience ...did you?
I did love the video going around showing Michelle Obama being her "First Diva" self and rolling her eyes as she was stuffing her face at breakfast sitting between President Obama and the Speaker of the House, John Boehner. Like a petulant child, she kept on making "faces" at whatever Speaker Boehner was saying to the President.
Don't believe me...go on ...YouTube..."Michelle Obama Rolling Her Eyes"...and the video(s) will be displayed.
Cerulean posted at 1:19 pm on Tue, Jan 22, 2013.
Rep. Ron Barber attended the inauguration in Washington, this is what he said,
“I saw just a mass of who we are – a rainbow of America across the color spectrum, across the ethnic spectrum,” Barber said. “It’s who we are coming together. And I loved what the president kept saying: We the people. Because that’s really what it’s all about here.”
Juggernaut8000 posted at 3:10 pm on Sat, Jan 19, 2013.
I'm going to celebrate this day by receiving government assistance and then blaming the very source of these benefits for all of my shortcomings.
chatmandu002 posted at 9:55 am on Sat, Jan 19, 2013.
Good luck President Obama in redistributing my money because there is less and less of it everyday.
Accuracy posted at 9:13 am on Sat, Jan 19, 2013.
President Barack Obama is planning a symbolic twist during his oath of office for his second term. The president will place his hand not on one Bible, but two.
He'll use one owned by Abraham Lincoln and one owned by Martin Luther King, Jr.
The inclusion of King's Bible is significant because the inauguration (public swearing-in at the Capitol) falls on Monday, Jan. 21. The day America will pause to honor the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who would have been 84 years old on Jan. 17, 2013.
The Faith and Action building, which is right across the street from the Supreme Court, is displaying an inaugural banner that reads, "We don't always agree with the president, but we always pray for him."