The promised land

On this day in 1968,a clergyman was shot dead in America. Although this happened seven months before I was born, the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King is beyond question. Race riots ensued and America was never the same again. Before the assassination of Dr. King, America possessed an openly racist society with blacks forced to travel separately to whites. Black America was a second class society with privelege and opportunity largely the reserve of the whites. In all but name, the America of 1968 adhered to a system of apartheid more synonymous with South Africa. Today they have a black President which would have been utterly unthinkable in 1968. On this basis, America, and the West, have come a long way. It would be folly though to claim that the job is done and I hope the good work is continued. While race relations have improved a lot since those stormy days, gun crime sadly continues to occupy the front pages for all the wrong reasons.

My purpose for writing about Dr. King though is to remember him as an orator. I have still never heard anyone better. It is a rare gift indeed to be able to speak publicly in such a way as to command the absolute attention and respect of all those present. Dr. King had that gift like no other. I could never tire of listening to his speeches and invariably feel very humble. The tone and inflections of his voice are incredibly moving. If you have ever listened to his "I have a dream" speech, you will know what I mean. Four years before his untimely death, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent method of combating race inequality. Like Gandhi before him, his weapon lay between his ears and he used it to great effect.

It was right and proper that the US government declared the day of his death a National Holiday in 1986. The Stevie Wonder song "Happy Birthday" was written for him and the lyrics are always worth a listen. For a man who achieved such a huge amount in his lifetime, it is staggering to consider that he was still not yet 40 at the time of his death. It takes a great man to make a big stand and he needs the courage of his convictions.
As the saying goes, "Some men are born great, some man achieve greatness and some men have greatness thrust upon them". There can be little doubt that Dr. King occupies top spot in the second category.