Friday, January 18, 2008

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Observance, Monday, Jan. 21, 2008
King’s vision nearer to realization; much more remains to be done

This presidential election already represents a crossroads in American history because of the diversity in the field of serious contenders for the highest office in the land.

Read King’s speech at the UAW’s 25th anniversary dinner, April 27, 1961.

Nearly four decades ago, when the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated while fighting for justice for union sanitation workers in Memphis, that scenario would have been impossible.

Much has happened since King, late UAW President Walter P. Reuther and millions of others fought for equal rights for minorities and women.

“The civil rights movement did not end with the passing of Dr. King; it had only begun. As we mark King’s 79th birthday on Jan. 21, it’s important to remember the dream is not fully realized,” UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said.

“King was a fighter for social justice, something our union was proud to join him in. As advocates for fairness in the workplace and in all aspects of life, it’s important we use this day to honor King and keep fighting for the causes we believe in.”

Read King’s acceptance speech for the 1964 Nobel Prize.

For inspiration, take a look back. Here’s a 17-minute video of MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington in 1963, with Reuther walking with him. Here are audio and the text of the speech.

Here are some other useful links:

The King Center

The Martin Luther King Research and Education Institute at Stanford University

Long Island University, C.W. Post campus, MLK tribute site.

Letter from the Birmingham jail, 1964

Now take a look forward at the kind of country you want to continue King's dream. Lend your talents to help end discrimination in our workplace and communities, and to continue the fight for social and economic justice and affordable health care for all Americans. Support the homeless and the food shelters in your community so everyone can share in the promise of America and help keep King's dream alive.

As King said in a 1968 sermon, “The Drum Major Instinct,” at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta:

Read King's final speech, "I’ve Been to the Mountaintop."

“It means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's theory of relativity to serve. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant.”