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What Are Your Plans for MLK Day This Year?

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Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010)

David Zephyr

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Sun Jan-13-08 03:15 AM
Original message

What Are Your Plans for MLK Day This Year?

My companion and I always attend a large event at a local church. This year ours will be on the 19th.

It is always a very moving and inspirational time for us and to see so many of our neighbors and friends in the community of so many colors and stripes singing, celebrating and honoring the memory of one of the greatest Americans of all time.

For me personally, I love when I see children singing and celebrating his memory. It never fails to tear me up.

I was so lucky to have grown up knowing about Dr. King and being inspired by him. The day he was taken from us was one of the lowest moments in my life.

What's going on in your hometowns? What will you be doing? Do you fly your flag that day? How will you honor Dr. King? I'd love to know.

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Dogmudgeon

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Sun Jan-13-08 03:38 AM
Response to Original message

1. I will dream.

Not just any dreams. Dreams that Dr. King first inspired me to dream.

I was fortunate enough to have had a teacher who had been a Freedom Rider with Dr. King when he was in college. He and his family came over -- escaped -- from Nazi Germany. He was an eccentric man in many ways, very German, somewhat child-like in his own innocent enthusiasm, and also a little intimidating. He told us about the Kings, about the Civil Rights movement, and the day King died, he stood in the middle of a room of 30 normally-obnoxious children and wept.

And we grew up a little faster on that day than we had counted on.

Most of us were white kids. It didn't matter.

I heard lately that that teacher was still alive, though retired. I just might track him down and say hello.

And how do I honor King? By knowing that as foolish as I am, and as often as I have fallen into the habits of hate, that I don't have to stay there. The mountain of which he spoke exists for everyone.

And, you see, Dr. King didn't die on that April day. Only his person did. And each MLK day, I think about all of that.

--p!

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David Zephyr

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Sun Jan-13-08 03:55 AM
Response to Reply #1

3. Beautiful comments.

Track down that teacher and let him know how he touched you. Teachers need to hear that.

:hi:

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mahina

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Sun Jan-13-08 03:41 AM
Response to Original message

2. I will take his photo off my living room wall and put it in the front window at work.

I will march in the Hawaii for Obama group in the parade, and listen to his speeches on my ipod.

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David Zephyr

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Sun Jan-13-08 03:56 AM
Response to Reply #2

4. Yes!

The front window at work! :hi:

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Sherman A1

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Sun Jan-13-08 03:59 AM
Response to Original message

5. Work as usual

Might seem a bit insensitive at first, but as my good buddy there tells me each year. MLK died while trying to help working people (the strike in Memphis), and while I am white and he is black, he simply asks the question, "so shouldn't we work?"

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yungCaucasoid

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Sun Jan-13-08 04:00 AM
Response to Original message

6. I spent last year reminding complaining Caucasoids, that...

they should remember, before criticizing MLK Day as a holiday;

this Nation *celebrates our White Leaders* for the other 364 days of the year, so...be fair-minded toward Dr. King!

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cynatnite

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Sun Jan-13-08 04:26 AM
Response to Original message

7. Getting my hair done...

then going to my favorite restaurant for dinner...

MLK is my birthday. :)

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shadowknows69

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Sun Jan-13-08 08:12 AM
Response to Original message

8. Smoke a celebratory blunt with my upstairs neighbor

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B Calm

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Sun Jan-13-08 08:23 AM
Response to Original message

9. My employer doesn't recognize it as a holiday, so I'll be working.

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David Zephyr

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Sun Jan-13-08 03:40 PM
Response to Reply #9

18. Are there events on Sunday in your area?

Some employer! That's sad.

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H2O Man

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Sun Jan-13-08 08:33 AM
Response to Original message

10. I like to

get out the recodings of his speeches that I have, and put them on the old turn table. And my daughters and I look through the collection of books by and about Martin, and discuss the ways that each of us can experience the power that he made real.

Muhammad Ali wrote about meeting with the Dalai Lama in his book "Soul of a Butterfly." He said that many people talk about God, while a few such as the Dalai Lama channel God in their daily lives. I think that is a good description of Martin.

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David Zephyr

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Sun Jan-13-08 03:54 PM
Response to Reply #10

20. Hello to H2O Man!

What a great daddy you are to your girls! I like the "old turn table," it gives a real sense of history. At the FDR Presidential Library and Museum, you can listen to FDR's speeches on the old radios of the time. Thanks for sharing here.

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Thothmes

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Sun Jan-13-08 08:40 AM
Response to Original message

11. Go to work as usual

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SalmonChantedEvening

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Sun Jan-13-08 10:13 AM
Response to Original message

12. Reflection

Edited on Sun Jan-13-08 10:14 AM by SalmonChantedEvening

On where we are as a nation, a world, and as humanity. How far Dr. King helped bring us towards a better one of each, and yet how far we still have to go. Where I am and how I can better honor his works and grow from his teachings.

Sadness at how Hate, no matter it's direction, is man's saddest state. And at how ever-present it is around the world, and the way those in power use it to remain there.

Hope in knowing that before Martin, before Gandhi, and before Bobby it was That Much Darker, and that their light made the way better.

Love. Above all. Love. For friends, family, and neighbors, be they next door or next continent over.

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David Zephyr

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Sun Jan-13-08 03:55 PM
Response to Reply #12

22. I like that: The unexamined life is not worth living.

Reflection.

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stillcool

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Sun Jan-13-08 10:33 AM
Response to Original message

13. I will be reminded....

to dream...

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."²

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David Zephyr

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Sun Jan-13-08 03:56 PM
Response to Reply #13

23. Quantum!

Thanks.

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RB TexLa

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Sun Jan-13-08 11:20 AM
Response to Original message

14. 7AM weekday mass at my parish, said especially for peace every year on MLK day.

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David Zephyr

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Sun Jan-13-08 06:05 PM
Response to Reply #14

40. Yes.

Thanks, RGBolen.

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Atman

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Sun Jan-13-08 11:29 AM
Response to Original message

15. Snowboarding

I'll be riding all black trails in his honor.

"Pow at last, pow at last, great God almighty there's pow at last!"

.

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Rob H.

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Sun Jan-13-08 11:51 AM
Response to Original message

16. Work

Edited on Sun Jan-13-08 11:56 AM by Rob H.

My employer doesn't give us MLK Day off because the Chairman decided years ago that we'd all trade that day for having Good Friday off, instead. As someone who isn't religious in the least, I'd like to be allowed to give up Good Friday for MLK Day.

Edit: clarity.

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David Zephyr

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Sun Jan-13-08 03:59 PM
Response to Reply #16

24. Are there any celebratory events on the weekend in your area?

In the 1980's, my CEO when I had a career made our corporation the first west of the Mississippi River to make MLK Day a paid holiday. He was the best "boss" I ever worked for and he was Jewish.

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Ishoutandscream2

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Sun Jan-13-08 12:00 PM
Response to Original message

17. I need to do more

However, my daughter's birthday is the 21st, and it's one big party with the family all weekend. Need to keep the ideas alive in my head for now, and to put some time aside to recognize the importance of recognizing those who have marched, fought, and died for equal rights for all Americans.

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David Zephyr

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Sun Jan-13-08 04:00 PM
Response to Reply #17

25. We all need to do more. I know I do.

Thank you.

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burythehatchet

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Sun Jan-13-08 03:44 PM
Response to Original message

19. Take my son to the MLK Center downtown ATL.

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David Zephyr

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Sun Jan-13-08 04:01 PM
Response to Reply #19

26. Give us a report afterward so we can "be there" with you.

Thanks!

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burythehatchet

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Sun Jan-13-08 04:05 PM
Response to Reply #26

28. you bet

I love that place and the neighborhood its in.

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Cha

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Sun Jan-13-08 04:36 PM
Response to Reply #28

34. How cool is that, BTH!

We'll be thinking of you and all the reasons why ya'll are there.

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Ishoutandscream2

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Sun Jan-13-08 04:12 PM
Response to Reply #19

30. I would LOVE to go there

I hope someday soon I'll be in Atlanta. Would absolutely love to see it!

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H2O Man

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Sun Jan-13-08 04:53 PM
Response to Reply #19

37. Great!

That sounds wonderful!

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burythehatchet

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Sun Jan-13-08 05:00 PM
Response to Reply #37

38. The night of Coretta's funeral I stood in the MLK plaza along with scores of others

Edited on Sun Jan-13-08 05:01 PM by burythehatchet

for the entire evening. On my jacket I had placed a photo montage of Mohandas, Martin and Coretta. The discussions that took place that evening regarding peace and non-violence, with total strangers, entered a realm of human interaction that I find difficult to describe to this day. I suppose one might call it an epiphany, except those are typically just a few seconds whereas this was for hours.

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David Zephyr

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Sun Jan-13-08 06:08 PM
Response to Reply #38

41. Thanks for mentioning Coretta.

As a gay man, I have so much love and respect for this woman. She opened her heart and the legacy to everyone. Now she and Martin are together forever. Your post was inspiring.

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H2O Man

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Sun Jan-13-08 06:12 PM
Response to Reply #38

44. That's beautiful.

There are certain times -- be they seconds, minutes, hours, or days -- when our minds operate on a higher level. We venture up onto that Mountain of Humanity that Martin spoke of. You were there.

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Marrah_G

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Sun Jan-13-08 03:54 PM
Response to Original message

21. Working

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TahitiNut

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Sun Jan-13-08 04:04 PM
Response to Original message

27. Well, I suppose the new way to celebrate would be to lift a Beagle up by it's ears ...

... and display my appendectomy scar.

:hide:

:evilgrin:

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Ishoutandscream2

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Sun Jan-13-08 04:15 PM
Response to Reply #27

31. Am I the only one who get's this?

Or are people wisely staying away (unlike me)? I consider this definite DUzy material. LOL!

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TahitiNut

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Sun Jan-13-08 04:18 PM
Response to Reply #31

32. I guess ya gotta be an old phart like me AND keep up with the latest "bright, shiny thing."

:evilgrin:

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dysfunctional press

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Sun Jan-13-08 04:10 PM
Response to Original message

29. same as any other monday.

nt

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Cha

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Sun Jan-13-08 04:30 PM
Response to Original message

33. I'm not working on

Martin Luther King's actual birthday the 15th of January so I'm going to do something to commemorate him for the first time because of your inspiring post, David. DU has taught me more of a sense of history than I ever had..not to mention the history itself. Thank you.

"We will not resort to violence.
We will not degrade ourselves with hatred.
Love will not be returned with hate." MLK

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David Zephyr

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Sun Jan-13-08 04:52 PM
Response to Reply #33

36. Hi zidzi.

For too many years (I'd hate to confess it) we have been attending an event here locally which has grown. It's on Sunday and it's just part of our lives now. So inspiring.

Maybe there's something like it near you.

Great quote you provided. Thanks! :hi:

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Cha

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Sun Jan-13-08 05:36 PM
Response to Reply #36

39. Very small town but

I could even read about MLK and that would be something to honor his memory and light a candle in my home. :hi:

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David Zephyr

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Sun Jan-13-08 06:08 PM
Response to Reply #39

42. I just like you so much zidzi that

:hug:

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Cha

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Sun Jan-13-08 06:33 PM
Response to Reply #42

45. Sweet!

:hug:

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ismnotwasm

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Sun Jan-13-08 04:39 PM
Response to Original message

35. I have a book

I'm planning on reading to my 8 year old grandson. (We'll have him that day) We bought it for him a couple of years ago. One of the most important things to our minds is passing on the legacy of fighting racism to the new generations.

My husband will take him down to the March and Rally in our town if I'm working.

"The problem of racism, the problem of economic exploitation, and the problem of war are all tied together. These are the triple evils that are interrelated."

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

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David Zephyr

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Sun Jan-13-08 06:54 PM
Response to Reply #35

46. There exists a very fortunate lad who had two terrific grandparents!

He will remember the march when he is an old man. I sure do like you and your husband.

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MrSlayer

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Sun Jan-13-08 06:10 PM
Response to Original message

43. Go to work.

I don't get off for MLK day.

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bigwillq

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Sun Jan-13-08 07:06 PM
Response to Original message

47. Probably have to work

IF not I think I may find some local event to attend.

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kineneb

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Sun Jan-13-08 07:11 PM
Response to Original message

48. take Hubby to nephrologist

the kidney doc, in case you wonder. Just another day with yet another doctor's appointment, in the land of too many "visits" to doctors and hospitals. Sigh. Poor guy is slowly fading away. I hope he can make it to his 61st birthday at the end of Feb.
:cry:

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