Martin still speaks..

His name will forever be heard in the generations to come. In the month of January, as early as preschool, the echo of his name will bounce from their ear drums for the first time as the teacher passes out his picture for them to color. They will hear the famous words, "I have a dream" and "We shall over come." They will learn a few things, maybe even watch a short film about his accomplishments leading up to his death. The children will come home dragging their backpacks on the ground with one hand and their colored picture in the other, excited to tell mommy and hopefully daddy about this man they colored today. The parents will probably say "that's nice" without even glancing at the scribbled masterpiece, and sit it down on the coffee table next to the essence magazine and ashtray. His face will slowly disappear while papers pile on top of him and the month of January quickly comes to an end. And the children who are like little sponges will dry up and move on to something else. They will never hear the rest of the story.

But even after January Martin still speaks!  He speaks through those who have not forgotten what he fought for. Little children, did you know Martin was a Christian, a Reverend? Parents, have you read his letters, speeches and sermons, how he quoted from the word of God? Amos 5:24 "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream." Yes he also quoted Psalms 30:5,"...Weeping may stay the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."  Even while being oppressed he preached love. Martin still speaks, while his books at the library collect dust. Martin still speaks while the search query for his name on the Internet decreases except for in January. Did you know that "our hero" had a hero and his name was Jesus. One cannot stand for love in the midst of hate unless he has experienced the intimate love of God.

I am guilty myself! For at one point, I allowed Martin's colored picture to be placed on the coffee table next to a glass of wine while 106 N Park shouted obscene language in the background. I swore I saw him crying from that page but maybe it was the wine I spilled on his face. I swore I saw his eyebrow raise from that page when I tore a piece off to jot down a phone number "real quick". Martin still speaks but only if we could turn down our foolishness and ignorance to hear him. He would scream, "We're not done yet!" Did you know in his "I Have a Dream" speech he requested some things from us. "But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred".  He further goes to say, "We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline."

Martin would still be speaking, but instead to us more than anyone because we have not fulfilled his wishes. He didn't ask much of us. If you are reading this I encourage you to take a look closer at one of his speeches or letter from Jail really dig in for yourself, get the meat of it, eat it, chew it, digest it. And it will ultimately lead you to the one on who's behalf he spoke. Happy birthday Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I believe he would have one more thing to say...
"Pull up your pants!"