Dr. Martin Luther King B-Day

[-Metablade-]

Though recently, many people say that their "Heroes" are policeman, fireman, and soldiers, I think we should also consider the meaning of the word, and observe how it defines those we hail, revere, and celebrate.

Hero: A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life.

Least of all, Dr. King embodied these traits, and then some.
Visionary, humanist, teacher, scholar, a man of deep character and strength, A man who exemplified and fought for and ultimately gave his life to defend and procliam the true ideals that all America stands for, and to keep alive the dreams for a better tomorrow in which we may all have the opportunity to share in the things that are true and good in this world.

I have very few people I can call a "Hero" these days, in fact, I can name them on one hand.
At the top of my list, there has always remained one.

Dr. Martin Luther King.

Happy Birthday to you sir!
The dream remains alive!

[Bill Glasheen]

You know, several years ago, I was in New York City autographing the first book that I had written. And while sitting there autographing books, a demented black woman came up. The only question I heard from her was, "Are you Martin Luther King?"

And I was looking down writing, and I said yes. And the next minute I felt something beating on my chest. Before I knew it I had been stabbed by this demented woman. I was rushed to Harlem Hospital. It was a dark Saturday afternoon. And that blade had gone through, and the X-rays revealed that the tip of the blade was on the edge of my aorta, the main artery. And once that's punctured, you drown in your own blood—that's the end of you.

It came out in the New York Times the next morning, that if I had sneezed, I would have died. Well, about four days later, they allowed me, after the operation, after my chest had been opened, and the blade had been taken out, to move around in the wheel chair in the hospital. They allowed me to read some of the mail that came in, and from all over the states, and the world, kind letters came in. I read a few, but one of them I will never forget. I had received one from the President and the Vice-President. I've forgotten what those telegrams said. I'd received a visit and a letter from the Governor of New York, but I've forgotten what the letter said. But there was another letter that came from a little girl, a young girl who was a student at the White Plains High School. And I looked at that letter, and I'll never forget it. It said simply, "Dear Dr. King: I am a ninth-grade student at the White Plains High School." She said, "While it should not matter, I would like to mention that I am a white girl. I read in the paper of your misfortune, and of your suffering. And I read that if you had sneezed, you would have died. And I'm simply writing you to say that I'm so happy that you didn't sneeze."

- MLK

Martin Luther King fascinates me for many reasons - not the least of which that he was a highly accomplished man by age 39 in spite of his personal flaws and shortcomings. Where some choose to disparage his faith-inspired accomplishments because of his personal weaknesses, I choose to see a mortal man whose memory was made immortal through his courageous actions in the face of human limitations.

- Bill

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

- MLK, within a day of his assasination.

[Bill Glasheen]

Some quotes of MLK that have meaning to me.



On laws and the legal system...

I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law.

On silence...

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

On (in)justice....

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

On sacrifice and principle...

I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live.

On stupidity...

Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

On science (with an after-quote from Einstein)...

MLK: Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.

Albert Einstein: Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.

And finally on the true measure of a man's character...

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

- Bill

[eastcoast_bsc]

He went to school and preached here in Boston I can remember cutting out his speeches as a kid and I tried to memorize some of them. I was considered an odd Irish kid LOL

[Bill Glasheen]

Any student of the Blarney Castle will appreciate the man's gift of gab. He expressed universal truths and ideals in a way that captured our passion for action. It's the cadence, the alliteration, the emotion, and an ability to articulate what matters.

From one Irishman to another, I can completely relate.

The Southern Black Church and its gospel music also served as one of the cornerstones for modern rock and roll. It isn't so much what you hear as it is what you feel.

Can I hear an Amen, brother?

- Bill

[eastcoast_bsc]

Any student of the Blarney Castle will appreciate the man's gift of gab. He expressed universal truths and ideals in a way that captured our passion for action. It's the cadence, the alliteration, the emotion, and an ability to articulate what matters.

From one Irishman to another, I can completely relate.

The Southern Black Church and its gospel music also served as one of the cornerstones for modern rock and roll. It isn't so much what you hear as it is what you feel.

Can I hear an Amen, brother?

- Bill

Amen brother Glasheen, Praise the Lord LOL I also got goosebumps when I heard JFK speeches, but alas Teddy only irritates me LOL You from Boston originally?

[Bill Glasheen]

Not from Boston.

My dad grew up in New Rochelle. His dad had a summer cottage in Gardner Lake, Connecticut. It was a cabin with hand-pump water and an outhouse. Other than swimming, there wasn't much to do.

So every summer afternoon or evening, my dad would turn on the Hartford, Connecticut AM radio station and listen to the Red Sox play. Later when he was going to Manhattan engineering school, he'd make it a point to see the Bosox when they came into town to play the Yankees. Later when my dad moved to Virginia, he still managed to be able to pick up that Hartford AM station and so could follow his beloved Bosox. And the whole family developed the attachment. We were one more group that was a part of Red Sox Nation.

Then I went to prep school in Exeter. Every Wednesda or Saturday we had an opportunity to take a bus trip to Boston to fool around.

Then I got involved with Uechi. And getting my students tested meant a trip up to Boston (once or twice a year) for a dan exam. And there was the after-test celebration at that now-closed German drinking place in Harvard Square.

So I don't have roots, but I do have attachments.

My dad was too "old generation" to appreciate MLK. He just lived in another era. But when JFK was president, he would take off from work early (then a stock broker) just to listen to JFK speak. I'm old enough to remember, being in first grade in September of 1960. Even then I knew he was a remarkably intellgient man. And he was the only pro-business Kennedy that I know of.

Like you, Dad doesn't think much of Teddie. He's done a few good things (like being co-author of the health insurance portability and accountability act), but mostly he's someone that only a home audience can love.

Of course I know I won't offend anyone with that remark...

- Bill