#74 Thank You Dr. King

Today we celebrate the birth of another American Hero-- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

For those who would like to learn more about this great man visit the center established to carry on his memory and his work. (When I googled his name there were 1,340,000 sites that carried that name. So there are lots of references to him for the curious.)

He was a man who stepped into the breach to help us all to share his dream. Granted when he began his journey, he had yet to write that famous speech. I never met the man, but my military career allowed me to help in his efforts to enlighten us all to the view of his dream.

He awakened in me the desire and energy to study the issue of race relations, the effects of acculturation, the ways in which each of us behave toward others, the concept of non-violent disagreement, etc. Hopefully I have not come away from that view of the world.

He was encouraged by the bravery of Rosa Parks and went on from there. I am reminded of the photos of the efforts of the rightful authorities in their efforts to quell this man and his ideals. They were devastating. (Wikipedia will give you some additional information and links.) The use of dogs, high pressure water and tear gas were the most popular humane methods of crowd control.

Dr. King was a great orator. He is an inspiration to all who would strive to move others.

But, besides the greatness of the man, his message is even more important. We must all work and live together in mutual respect. This will require all of us to do some soul-searching to discover our self-respect, our view of the world, our place in the world, and our responsibility to make a positive difference.

Dr. King has led me down that path. I am sad that I have not lived up to his urgings to make his dream come true. There is much more that I can do.

Here are some things I have taken away from his example.

• Do I respect myself?
• Do I respect others?
• What are my inner feelings when I meet someone who is visibly different from me?
• How do I exhibit those feelings?
• How do I try to hide those behaviors/feelings?
• What are the results of those behaviors on me and others?
• Am I willing to confront my behaviors/feelings and change?

I am sure I could ask even more questions, but these are a pretty good start. I have come to realize that I am the only one who can really change me, just as you are the only one who can change you.

So, perhaps the time has come again to review the precepts of non-violence that Dr. King admonished us to follow. There is no doubt about it, there is too much violence in the world. Each of us can individually say ENOUGH!

For that realization I say. "Thank you Dr. King."


#75