Some audacious words for Martin Luther King day.
“And I must confess, my friends, that the road ahead will not always be smooth.
There will still be rocky places of frustration and meandering points of bewilderment. There will be inevitable setbacks here and there.
And there will be those moments when the buoyancy of hope will be transformed into the fatigue of despair.
Our dreams will sometimes be shattered and our ethereal hopes blasted.
We may again, with tear-drenched eyes, have to stand before the bier of some courageous civil rights worker whose life will be snuffed out by the dastardly acts of bloodthirsty mobs.
But difficult and painful as it is, we must walk on in the days ahead with an audacious faith in the future.”
From Where Do We Go From Here? 16 August 1967
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Who will ever forget Martin Luther King’s sensational golden speech, “I Have a Dream”…
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Wilson, absolutely. Every time I read it, hear it or see it the words send shivers down my spine and bring tears to my eyes. It is both sensational and inspirational. Still.
Hi Joanna,
Love this quote, which marries hope and realism in a call for action. You know what, I heard the echo of this in Obama’s acceptance speech just weeks ago…
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Joanna, We could sure use leaders like Dr. King these days – where have they gone?
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Joanna, it is amazing to me that nearly four decades later, these words have lost none of their power. While there are many wonderful orators, there are such a small percentage able to articulate their passion and have their words stand the test of time. Thanks so much for sharing this audacious message of faith today.
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Joann, your choice is appropriate for sure, and adaptable to so many aspects of life in general. Thanks for just the right words, as usual.
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He definitely nailed inspiration and connection!
I love it when words paint a future picture that’s compelling for others to follow. Actually, it’s more than compelling … It lifts them up and becomes a firm foundation.
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Daphne, hello. When I was researching this I found so many echoes and touch points… It’s the belief that things can and will be better, plus as you say the call to action to play our part.
Brad, that’s a big question. I’ll turn it back at you… Do you think they’re there, and we just can’t hear or see them? Do you think there are things we can do to help create the conditions for inspiring leaders to emerge?
Karen, I think it’s something to do with the source. I have such a strong sense when I read or listen to the words of Martin Luther King that it comes from a deep, powerful and truthful place. I think that’s what creates the sense of connection, and inspiration. It goes beyond oratory and rhetoric. It comes from a different place.
Shari, thank you. I hadn’t heard these words before, and found them very inspiring.
JD that’s right, somehow the words make us feel, recognise and understand that we *can* do things to move into that future, to help to create it. Powerful stuff indeed.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was indeed a fine man. Courageous, strong, forthright, realistic – but ever speaking of his ethereal hopes. His work was not done in vain.
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Boy, if I could write as inspirationally as he spoke… wow
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Joanna-
Many of those quotes seem especially applicable this year, thanks for posting as I completely forgot it was MLK day…
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You know, I love the idea that a Scotswoman is blogging about Martin Luther King today… Something awfully nice about that!
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Bo, that’s a great description of him, and maybe the attributes of great leaders too. Still much to be done, but the fact that his spirit and words still inspires and motivates is a powerful testimony.
Andy, well yes, me too
Jason, don’t they just? I try and remember when US holidays are to stay in tune with majority of my readers. It’s interesting, esp doing the research to look for something relevant to say.
–Deb, well observing the holiday is something I do out of respect for the majority of my readers, but celebrating the words and the message – that’s something that happens the world over.
Joanna, as I read this, I can hear Dr. King speaking. Somehow I want even a better word than speaking because it was one of the most powerful deliveries I’ve ever witnessed. It still carries amazing power to those who revisit it as you have.
Thanks.
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Robyn, his words carry great weight and power. I think they also have a wonderful cadence which makes our hearts sing – I think this is a legacy from the from the preaching style including call and response – something I need to learn more about (I want to learn more about rhythm and how to best use it)