Notes on Martin Luther King Jr. (Written January 21, 2008)

I’m a James Taylor fan. His music speaks to me musically and  emotionally.  The first verse of a song  he wrote, Shed a Little Light, has  been on my mind today.

Let us turn our thoughts today
  To Martin Luther King
  And recognize that there are ties between us
  All men and women
  Living on the earth
  Ties of hope and love
  Sister and brotherhood
  That we are bound together
  In our desire to see the world become
  A place in which our children
  Can grow free and strong
  We are bound together
  By the task that stands before us
  And the road that lies ahead
  We are bound and we are bound

So, on this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I want to do just  that: “...turn (my) thoughts to Martin Luther King...”  I have had several experiences that have  caused me to hold a deep sense of reverence for him.

In the late 1990s, while Governor of Utah; I was seated next to Coretta Scott King, Dr. King’s widow, at a dinner in Washington D.C. Our  conversation evolved from casual dinner chat to a rather long and searching  philosophic discussion about Dr. King’s life and the mission it thrust upon  her.  It was a uniquely personal conversation and rather than divulge the details, I wish to only recount the  gift I felt she gave me that night.  I felt like I had seen a little bit of her soul and it was moving to me. 

A few days later she sent me a book about Dr. King.  Reading it in the aftermath of our  conversation was a delightful experience that left me feeling a real admiration for both of them. 

In late 2005 and early 2006, I traveled extensively, meeting  with community organizations that were helping to enroll seniors in the new  prescription drug program.  On three occasions, I visited the Ebenezer Baptist Church  in Atlanta, Georgia, where Martin Luther King Jr. spent much of his life.  I met leaders of  the church and community in the basement of the old church and later was invited to speak at the Sunday services.  The experience heightened the impact of my conversation with Mrs. King  and the reading of Dr. King’s book. 

That year I had another experience which added to the  picture I hold of Dr. King’s life.  I met  Dr. Samuel “Billy” Kyles, a respected Pastor in Memphis who was with Dr. King when the civil  rights leader was assassinated.  They  were going to Dr. Kyle’s home for dinner.

I’m sure Dr. Kyles has told the story hundreds of times since then.  However, when I heard the details  in such a personal and direct way, it left no uncertain impact.  It was a tragic turn of events, but like other martyrs who sealed their mission with blood, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s  death punctuated and assured that the message of his life will never be forgotten.  (Here’s a link to a speech  Dr. Kyles gave telling the story – it’s worth reading:  http://www.explorefaith.org/LentenHomily04.03.00.html 

The second verse of the James Taylor song continues:

There is a feeling like the clenching of a fist
  There is a hunger in the center of the chest
  There is a passage through the darkness and the mist
  And though the body sleeps the heart will never rest
 
  Oh, let us turn our thoughts today
  To Martin Luther King
  And recognize that there are ties between us
  All men and women
  Living on the earth
  Ties of hope and love
  Sister and brotherhood

Comments

Thank you for that inspirational post Secretary Leavitt.

Shed a Little Light is a favorite of mine as well.

I am especially fond of this part of the song.

"Shed a little light, oh Lord
So that we can see
Just a little light, oh Lord
Wanna stand it on up
Stand it on up, oh Lord
Wanna walk it on down
Shed a little light, oh Lord

Can't get no light from the dollar bill
Don't give me no light from a TV screen
When I open my eyes
I wanna drink my fill
From the well on the hill

(Do you know what I mean?)"

Since we are all brothers and sisters and facing a common enemy, infectious disease seems to be in the forefront of threats, it is time to come together in unity and in strength, in order to help each other through what is ahead. Focusing not on what divides but on what unites us. Looking at all people as equals in value and worth.

As a friend of mine says "Remember who you are". I would add "and what your 'voice' can do". Each of us has a part to play, each of us can be the start of a powerful movement of love and hope.

I am sure that Martin Luther King Jr. would have called upon all of us to assist one another, to build each other up, no matter which "community" we identify with.

Pastor Kyles' sermon about the fig tree and bearing fruit was very timely as well.

You certainly write posts with a lot of meat.

Please keep posting.

May we all stand strong and bear much fruit,

Jackie, SF

Posted by: standingfirm | January 23, 2008 at 01:44 PM