I obviously knew about Martin Luther King Jr, who we celebrated Monday. And, there was so much of his story as a young man that I didn’t know. Like his name not actually being that at least until he was 5. Not until his Father confronted Nazi’s in person in Germany, reminding him of the power of the first Luther to stand up for his beliefs
He faced unbelievable hatred and fear almost every day. And, he would be damned if he let that be seen by others, let alone dissuade him from his Vision – once he caught it…
… and realized it had to be positive to make a difference. And that it laid in front him down the path his Father, Grandfather, and Great-Grandfather had blazed. So as much as he wanted to set his own path, that Vision eventually became the one that has changed all of us… if we stay true to it, and our own. Each of us has the ability down there – it is just a matter of having the courage to dig for it.
Continuing to dig deeper into MLK’s life, we see him go into college and grad school… before he would Know exactly how he wanted to change the world around him. Chance encounters with music highlight his path, including the choice of a life partner that was critical.
We also see him be included with a group of strong friends and mentors, eventually being asked to step up – as he was the “new guy”. Knowing, or maybe not, that step would put him on a path to the March, and the Speech that we all Know him most for.
These stories also remind us that at the time, he never really Knew if this would work, or was his path. And, he had a faith that kept him recharged, along with music to uplift and hold him throughout. Knowledge and Vision – critical to a discussion of DEI… and one that we will have his own favorite songs as the soundtrack for.
