First, although I love the “I Have a Dream” speech, my favorite writing from Martin Luther King, Jr. is his Letter from a Birmingham Jail.
Second, Dr. King was always peaceful, but always confrontational. As Obama leads us forward on a path to a more conciliatory tone and an era of cooperation, a choice that makes me happy and which is in line with my own inclinations, I hope there are others who take up the role of Dr. King. People willing to act without violence, but who nonetheless, shove justice down our throats.
One reply on “Two Thoughts on MLK Day”
I Have a Dream shines only as a spoken performance, and when he spoke it, it was transcendent. Perhaps the greatest speech ever given in modern English?
If you hear it, it’s like reading Lincoln’s letter to Mrs. Bixby–its power is palpable, “moving” is inadequate.