I've had the good fortune to have worked with and been in a friendship with a strong African American nurse at my former employment. She educated me on what it meant to be black in the 1950's in the US. I attended MLK parades with her. I saw the joy on the faces of those marching along. The mayor was there and other dignitaries, but the most memorable were the children and young black girls and boys being themselves. Everyone greeted each other by saying Happy King Day. I had never heard this greeting before.
This black friend found, bought, and gave me several books on the topic of being black in the US. Because of her generosity, I became aware of their struggles and the injustices they endure and continue to endure. She told me about needing to pee as a little girl and how nasty the colored public bathroom was. The injustice of Jim Crow and how it impacted a little girl right to perform a simple biological need was kept from her.
As we approach another King Day, one of my favorite sermons or talks is from his last one, the night before he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. I find it still relevant today.
"Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
https://www.ucc.org/what-we-do/justi...s-last-sermon/
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