There are far too many good points and useful phrases in this essay to recount or emphasize here. Because Dr. King was taken from us the way he was, he has become a martyr for the American ideal. We recount and remember the soaring phrases because they remind us of what we like to think we are. This is normal, and not all bad. Dr. King is an American icon. What we fail to remember is the "good trouble" he caused. And that we need to make "good trouble" ourselves if we are to continue to struggle toward that ideal. The arc of history doesn't bend toward justice unless people become committed to bending it. And this will be an ongoing process of "repair." Perhaps it would be a good time to paraphrase and remember the speech a great white man gave a century before Dr. King was killed, "It is rather for us to be dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from this man we honor we take increased devotion to that cause for which he gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that he shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
And I believe you are absolutely correct. Once again I honor your courage to be completely truthful. You don't seem to hide from anything, and I admire that.
Truth: "That is how you end up in a country that celebrates King and still fears what he meant."
I have been experiencing this my whole life. People whom I loved and respected and some I hardly knew preaching goodness until it hit home. I have been so very confused and I've often felt very betrayed when people turned on me because of honest choices of integrity. I'm not saying I've never take the easy exit. I have, and that's mine to own. I'm moving into the lane that says "no more."
I work regularly in a food pantry and as one of the leaders I told the other leaders a few years ago that if officials came into our pantry, I would put my body between them and our guests who are mostly not white. At that time, the others had no problem with that. Recently, as all this became a possible reality, we got a notification from the institution that governs many food pantries in our area that if ICE or CPB showed up we should be respectful (??!!) and not interfere. As I read the 6-page document, I was in shock. I was told I absolutely had to follow these guidelines. I sat on that for a couple of weeks, but now I know I will not honor that document that wants us all to "calm down." I now know that no matter the consequences I will put my body between those officials and our amazing, incredible guests.
On Jan 14, Rebecca Solnit included this in her newsletter:
“A striking thing all through 2025 was the presence of clergy in the demonstrations and protests to protect immigrants and refugees and their rights. This week Rob Hirschfeld, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, announced, ‘I have told the clergy of the episcopal diocese of New Hampshire that we may be entering into that same witness and I've asked them to get their affairs in order, to make sure they have their wills written, because it may be that now is no longer the time for statements but for us with our bodies to stand between the powers of this world and the most vulnerable.’”
I don't live in NH, but reading that increased my resolve to do the right thing, not the nice thing to make some folks feel better.
I don't think saying "CALM DOWN!" to anyone has ever calmed anyone. Ever. To me, it translates into "I can't handle your emotion" or "I don't want to recognize your pain"
This is the second essay about not just King's beautiful "I Have a Dream" speech and his other beautiful quotes, but also the grit and call to action with his words about true equality for all. Somewhere along the way, we have focused on his uplifting words and failed to act on the true meaning and the work required to make true equality happen for all. I am inspired by your words. I grew up in the segregated South, and didn't go to school with black students until the 10th (1970) grade in Florida. Being of the Hippie generation, I fought against ignoring these students. But did I do enough? Am I still not doing enough? I'm questioning a lot of things this MLK Day.
I keep coming back to your exit metaphor, so powerful. Meditating on what my primary exit is, maybe the one where I tell myself not to get angry…. Sent this on with a gift subscription to a close colleague who teaches in our race and racism curriculum . Thank you.
There are far too many good points and useful phrases in this essay to recount or emphasize here. Because Dr. King was taken from us the way he was, he has become a martyr for the American ideal. We recount and remember the soaring phrases because they remind us of what we like to think we are. This is normal, and not all bad. Dr. King is an American icon. What we fail to remember is the "good trouble" he caused. And that we need to make "good trouble" ourselves if we are to continue to struggle toward that ideal. The arc of history doesn't bend toward justice unless people become committed to bending it. And this will be an ongoing process of "repair." Perhaps it would be a good time to paraphrase and remember the speech a great white man gave a century before Dr. King was killed, "It is rather for us to be dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from this man we honor we take increased devotion to that cause for which he gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that he shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
Words to dwell on and carefully consider; I plan to think about what you are saying, then reread in a day or two. I need to find my easy exits.
And I believe you are absolutely correct. Once again I honor your courage to be completely truthful. You don't seem to hide from anything, and I admire that.
Truth: "That is how you end up in a country that celebrates King and still fears what he meant."
I have been experiencing this my whole life. People whom I loved and respected and some I hardly knew preaching goodness until it hit home. I have been so very confused and I've often felt very betrayed when people turned on me because of honest choices of integrity. I'm not saying I've never take the easy exit. I have, and that's mine to own. I'm moving into the lane that says "no more."
I work regularly in a food pantry and as one of the leaders I told the other leaders a few years ago that if officials came into our pantry, I would put my body between them and our guests who are mostly not white. At that time, the others had no problem with that. Recently, as all this became a possible reality, we got a notification from the institution that governs many food pantries in our area that if ICE or CPB showed up we should be respectful (??!!) and not interfere. As I read the 6-page document, I was in shock. I was told I absolutely had to follow these guidelines. I sat on that for a couple of weeks, but now I know I will not honor that document that wants us all to "calm down." I now know that no matter the consequences I will put my body between those officials and our amazing, incredible guests.
On Jan 14, Rebecca Solnit included this in her newsletter:
“A striking thing all through 2025 was the presence of clergy in the demonstrations and protests to protect immigrants and refugees and their rights. This week Rob Hirschfeld, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, announced, ‘I have told the clergy of the episcopal diocese of New Hampshire that we may be entering into that same witness and I've asked them to get their affairs in order, to make sure they have their wills written, because it may be that now is no longer the time for statements but for us with our bodies to stand between the powers of this world and the most vulnerable.’”
I don't live in NH, but reading that increased my resolve to do the right thing, not the nice thing to make some folks feel better.
I don't think saying "CALM DOWN!" to anyone has ever calmed anyone. Ever. To me, it translates into "I can't handle your emotion" or "I don't want to recognize your pain"
Just my opinion.
All I can say is "yes".
Happy MLK day X. Keep the dream going.
I find myself taking notes for journaling. Your writing is autoethnographic.
This is the second essay about not just King's beautiful "I Have a Dream" speech and his other beautiful quotes, but also the grit and call to action with his words about true equality for all. Somewhere along the way, we have focused on his uplifting words and failed to act on the true meaning and the work required to make true equality happen for all. I am inspired by your words. I grew up in the segregated South, and didn't go to school with black students until the 10th (1970) grade in Florida. Being of the Hippie generation, I fought against ignoring these students. But did I do enough? Am I still not doing enough? I'm questioning a lot of things this MLK Day.
I keep coming back to your exit metaphor, so powerful. Meditating on what my primary exit is, maybe the one where I tell myself not to get angry…. Sent this on with a gift subscription to a close colleague who teaches in our race and racism curriculum . Thank you.
Thank you again for your deep , thoughtful writing.
You have given your readers much to digest. Much to ponder.
Self examination that is much needed....by me, for one.