Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu..................

Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu

I recently had the opportunity to see and hear Archbishop Desmond Tutu who was visiting the American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts.

I had very fond memories of meeting him in London and I was delighted to see him again.

For me, it is difficult to think of Bishop Tutu without being reminded of Nelson Mandela. Their lives have been intertwined for many years. When Mandela was imprisoned for twenty-seven years Bishop Tutu never stopped his personal crusade to free Mandela and end apartheid in South Africa.

In London, during the 1980’s thousands of people marched against the Apartheid regime of South Africa and demanded the immediate release of Nelson Mandela who had been imprisoned since 1964. The African National Congress (ANC) and the Anti-Apartheid Movement organized the demonstrations. We would regularly gather in Trafalgar Square and camp out overnight on the steps of the South Africa Embassy.

In the late ‘80’s I had the opportunity to meet Bishop Tutu at a gathering in Hyde Park. My friend, Beverly, invited me to attend an ‘invitation only’ tea where we spent the afternoon with Bishop Tutu, his wife, and other visiting dignitaries. The first thing that one notices about him is the pleasant smile that seldom leaves his face. He made several jokes but when it was time to be serious his words were exact and to the point.

He had received the Nobel Peace Prize, in 1984, in recognition of "the courage and heroism shown by black South Africans in their use of peaceful methods in the struggle against apartheid.”

At that time the chairman of the Nobel Committee said, "Some time ago television enabled us to see this year's laureate in a suburb of Johannesburg. A massacre of the black population had just taken place - the camera showed ruined houses, mutilated human beings and crushed children's toys. Innocent people had been murdered. Women and children mortally wounded. But, after the police vehicles had driven away with their prisoners, Desmond Tutu stood and spoke to a frightened and bitter congregation: 'Do not hate', he said, 'let us choose the peaceful way to freedom'.”

And here we were in London in 1988, still demonstrating, demanding the release of Nelson Mandela who had been sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 and sent to notorious Robben Island Prison, a former leper colony off the coast from Cape Town.

As I write about Archbishop Desmond Tutu I am finding it very difficult to condense the many acts of personal peace and reconciliation that have molded his lifestyle.

Bishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu, now 78, was born in 1931 in Klerksdorp, Transvaal. Where he first trained as a teacher but at 26 he became dissatisfied with the teaching profession and decided to become a priest. He later claimed he was not motivated by high ideals. "It just occurred to me that, if the Church would have me, the profession of priest could be a good way of serving my people."

In 1986 he was elected the first black archbishop of Cape Town, becoming the head of the Anglican Church in South Africa and leader of South Africa's 1.6 million Anglicans. While serving in this position he intensified his criticism of the apartheid system which he described as "evil and unchristian" and called for "a democratic and just society without racial divisions" where there are equal civil rights for all. He advocated the use of nonviolent resistance by black South Africans and encouraged the world community to apply economic sanctions against the regime. The apartheid government responded by cancelling his passport.

After many years of speaking out, Nelson Mandela was finally released from prison on Sunday 11 February 1990.

In 1994 a national election was held and the ANC won the country's first all-race elections. Over four days beginning on 26 April more than 22 million South Africans, or about 91% of registered voters, went to the polls. On 9 May the National Assembly unanimously elected Nelson Mandela president. He stressed the need for reconciliation and reaffirmed his determination to create a peaceful, nonracial society.

President Mandela signed a law creating the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate human rights violations committed from March 1960 to May 1994. The commission was chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu who stated "I hope that the work of the commission, by opening wounds to cleanse them, will thereby stop them from festering," The public hearings started in April 1996, and completed most of its fact-finding work by late July 1998 after hearing more than 20,000 testimonials and 4,000 requests for amnesty.

Bishop Tutu continues to speak out against conditions in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Burma, Zimbabwe regarding inhumane treatment in those and other countries.

In 2007 he is presented with the International Gandhi Peace Prize that is awarded by the Government of India, and is considered to be India's highest international honor.

One of the enduring memories of the struggle to end apartheid is Bishop Tutu's high-pitched yet melodious voice admonishing the regime and the world to end the discrimination. .

And here he is in 2010 in Massachusetts with the same melodious voice still mentioning the many crimes against humanity in the world. Just as we were wondering where is he going with this critique he pulls it all together and points out that there is still good in the world as he talks about the important humanitarian programs that the college takes part in.

He remains a humble man with an infectious laugh who seems unable to rest until the world is at peace. I believe that is why he continues to have so much energy and as Nelson Mandela has said, "Sometimes strident, often tender, never afraid and seldom without humor, Desmond Tutu's voice will always be the voice of the voiceless."

I urge you to go to http://www.moreorless.au.com/heroes/tutu.html to read more about South Africa and Bishop Tutu’s historical role in his beloved country.

Once again, I feel so fortunate to have been in his presence. I will never forget it.

peacesojourner

Jane Goodall in Buffalo.................

One of the benefits of living in Buffalo is that there are so many colleges in this area, and several offer free lectures to the public. I attend as many as I can and I was thrilled to learn that Jane Goodall was coming to Canisius College.

I have always been in awe of Jane’s lifestyle and personal journey in life. When I was very young I was filled with admiration of her life in Africa, and her study of chimpanzees, and how she soon became their leading crusader. Her research work expanded to include numerous conservation efforts in Africa and worldwide.

Jane was born very near to my place of birth in London. Stories of her work in Tanzania came to us via Geographical magazines and in later years from the British Broadcasting Company. (BBC) She has lived for many years on the southern coast of England in Bournemouth, a town where several members of my family now live.

I had always felt some sort of kinship with Jane even though our paths had never actually crossed – and now here she was – coming to Buffalo to talk about her travels and work in Africa.

I hurried along to the college and did not realize that so many people would also be there waiting to hear her speak. We queued in line for an hour and a half and many people were turned away. The wait was worth it for the more than 3,000 people who did get to hear her. Her audience ranged from kindergarteners to very elderly senior citizens.

She has a soft voice, and the crowd listened in total silence as she gently recalled her personal story of travelling to East Africa as a young woman. As I listened to her I realized that she is 76 years of age - she looks much younger – maybe the many years in isolation with only primates to interact with had reduced the stress from her life.

In the summer of 1960, 26-year-old Jane Goodall arrived on the shore of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa to study the area's chimpanzee population. Although it was unheard of for a woman to venture into the wilds of the African forest, the trip meant the fulfillment of her childhood dream and her work in Tanzania would prove more successful than anyone had imagined. At first, the Gombe chimps fled whenever they saw Jane. But she persisted, watching from a distance with binoculars, and gradually the chimps allowed her closer.

She stated that she gives talks for 300 days every year. This means that she travels in many different countries to spread her message and she encourages the advancement of individuals to take informed and compassionate action to improve the environment for all living things.

She is a Wildlife Researcher, Educator, and Conservationist. Her research work has expanded to include numerous conservation efforts in Africa and worldwide. Her global nonprofit Institute empowers people to make a difference for all living things, by creating healthy ecosystems, promoting sustainable livelihoods and nurturing new generations of committed, active citizens.

In 1965, Jane earned her Ph.D in Ethology from Cambridge University. Soon thereafter, she returned to Tanzania to continue research and to establish the Gombe Stream Research Centre.

Today, the Jane Goodall Institute (founded in 1977) is a leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and their habitats and is widely recognized for establishing innovative community-centered conservation and development programs in Africa and the Roots & Shoots education program in nearly 100 countries.

Jane Goodall spends much of her time lecturing, sharing her message of hope for the future and encouraging young people to make a difference in their world.

I encourage you to read one of the many books that she has written and check out the following sites: www.janegoodall.org and www.rootsandshoots.org

At the end of her lecture she opened the floor to questions and did not hesitate to answer all of them.

A wonderful evening in the presence of an outstanding person.

Tomorrow I will tell you about the third person that I was so fortunate to see and hear.

peacesojourner

Michael McDonald in Concert.............

Recently I was able to see and hear three people who I have been a fan of for many years and all within a one-week period. They are from completely different walks of life but I admire them all.

If you have read my list of favorite musicians you will know that Michael McDonald is listed there. I have been a fan for many years. Those who have been a passenger in my car know that I play his music all the time.

He plays the guitar, piano and the keyboard and I saw him in concert in Niagara Falls. He is a songwriter and a singer, and was born on 12th February 1952 . He is known for pop, rock, and soul. I love his Motown numbers the best.

While playing for a group “Steely Dan,” Michael McDonald received attention, as he was the back-up vocalist for the album “Katy Lied”. Later he was taken up by another group the “Doobie Brothers”. The original main singer of the “Doobie Brothers” was unwell during a tour and they signed Michael up. He was really impressive while performing in the band that they decided to give him a permanent place in the group.

Later he went solo and put together some of the previous songs that were not produced on CDs. He is the co writer of the song, ‘I’ll Wait.’ His album in 1990 was known as, “Take it to Heart”.

One thing that really surprised me was that so many men model themselves after him and there were many 'Michael McDonald' look alikes in the audience. Men with white hair with the hairstyle, beard and mustache styled just the same way. I had seen something similar when I was in Key West, Florida where they had an Ernest Hemingway look alike contest, but Michael McDonald lookalikes – who knew?

It was a great evening – he sang without a break for 90 minutes and then came back for an encore. He sang some of Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin’ best hits. He has a great group that travel with him and he announced that most of them had been playing together for more than thirty years.

The audience was singing along with the group and we all had an enjoyable time.

Tomorrow I will tell you who else I was lucky enough to see that week.

peacesojourner

Happy News - The Wedding Dress

JACKSON, Miss. – Days after a tornado obliterated their home and delayed their wedding, a Mississippi bride and groom say they feel blessed by the kindness of strangers, including the gift of a wedding dress from a jilted bride in Kentucky.

"I think it's great, because I never really expected this much help," Morgan Hayden said Wednesday from a hotel in her hometown of Yazoo City.

Hayden, 27, and her 31-year-old fiancé, Josiah Moton, huddled in their bathroom with three relatives recently when a tornado blew apart the house the couple had helped build a few months ago in a wooded area just outside town. The storm left them homeless — but uninjured.

Left with few belongings beyond the clothes they were wearing, Hayden and Moton delayed their plans to go to Little Rock, Ark., on Monday for a small, informal wedding. Hayden said she had not purchased a wedding dress but was planning to wear something from her closet.

Katie Smith, 20, who lives near Louisville, Ky., said she read about the couple in an AP article and decided to find Hayden and offer her the dress. Smith said she had planned to marry this summer, but her fiancé from England broke their engagement last month.

"Honestly, it still hurts, Smith told the AP Wednesday. "But life goes on."

Smith said she has been trying to give away the wedding items she'd already purchased, including the dress she bought on sale for $350. Hayden accepted the offer, and Smith said she mailed the dress Tuesday. "I know every girl wants to look pretty on her wedding day," Smith said.

An executive at a resort in the Bahamas also said that he had read the AP article and the resort offered the couple a honeymoon when they're ready for it. They will provide two round-trip air tickets and five nights with an ocean-view room "as kind of a way to make some new memories and help them get past what happened."

The National Weather Service said the tornado was 1.75 miles wide — a record for Mississippi. It killed 10 people, injured at least 49 and damaged about 700 homes as it plowed nearly 150 miles through state.

Hundreds of tornado survivors in Mississippi are getting help from strangers. Charities are providing meals and bottled water. Church groups, civic groups and random people from in state and out of state are in the storm-damaged areas to cut fallen trees and clear debris.

Hayden said a homeowners' insurance policy is paying hotel expenses for a week, and she and Moton hope to move into an apartment. She said they will reschedule the wedding when life becomes somewhat normal again.

Excerpts taken from an article by EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS,

Associated Press Writer – Thu Apr 29

*****

We read so many stories in the news that tell of horrors and inhumanity from around the world. It is nice to have reaffirmation that there are so many people who are genuinely kind and giving who reach out to others in distress. This is a happy news story :-)

peacesojourner

Sunday Reflection - Life is as Fleeting as a Rainbow

Life is as fleeting as a rainbow,

A star at dawn,

A flash of lightning.

Knowing this, how can you quarrel?” 
–Buddha

Photos from Astrology Today

*****

Romans 12:18 - Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody

Total # of U.S Troops Killed in Iraq and Afghanistan Wars – 5,444

War is a racket.

It always has been.

It is possibly the oldest , easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious.

It is the only one international in scope.

It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.

A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what is seems to the majority of people.

Only a small “inside” group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many.

Out of war a few people make huge fortunes.

Written by - Major General Smedley D. Butler, 1935

U.S. Marine Corps

Two-time winner Congressional Medal of Honor

*****

U.S. military deaths in Iraq since the war began (3/19/03) – 4,394

Wounded over 1,000,000

320,000 Vets have brain injuries

There are 18 Vet Suicides per day.

Iraqi deaths over one million

US Deaths in Afghanistan 1,050

Total US military deaths – 5,444

*****

Are you concerned about the number of people who have died?

If you are - have you contacted your president, senators, or congressperson to

let them know that you are against the war?

What are you waiting for? - do it today!

peacesojourner

Sunday Reflection - Try Counting Your Blessings

When I moved to Buffalo I immediately joined the nearest library, which happens to be on the street where I live.

I love this library because it is near my home and it is always filled with immigrant children. They are from the continent of Africa, South East Asia, the Middle East and Burma. Some are Muslim and Buddhist. They are a joy to be around and their evident passion for books and computers is delightful. Over the years I have made friends with the wonderful Librarians and with the children.

Last week one of the children, a small 8-year-old boy was killed. He and his brothers and sisters were leaving the library - he was happy, laughing and not paying attention – he ran into the street without looking where he was going and was immediately hit by a car. All of the children witnessed this – they ran back into the library to get help from the librarians. All of the librarians rushed out to help but realized that he was dead. I heard the news on the radio, and when I went to the library I learned that it was Tumaini. This little boy who had come to this country as a refugee from the violence and hardship in his native land is now dead.

A few days later the librarians and I attended the funeral and attempted to comfort the family. The church was filled to brimming with the local immigrant community, many cultures were in attendance. There were Africans, Hispanics, Vietnamese, Middle Eastern, Burmese – hundreds of people who spoke different languages but who were there because of the common language of kindness and compassion to a family who had just lost a child.

When I saw Tumaini in the casket he did not have a visible scratch on his sweet little face. He was wearing a suit, his eyes were closed and his long eyelashes lay on his cheek. A happy, loving, vibrant little boy, who died in an instant and who will never be forgotten by this community. His name, Tumaini, means ‘Peace” in his native language.

Before I left the church I prayed for Tumaini’s family, for all of the immigrants who have lived lives of hardships that we can only imagine. I prayed for the 18- year-old driver of the car who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and who will never forget this.

I prayed for the librarians who loved this little boy and who cradled him in their arms with love at the scene of the accident, and I gave a prayer of gratitude for my own life and my family for all of the gifts that we are given unconditionally by a power higher than us.

I share this with you as a reminder that most of us really have very little to complain about and we sometimes forget to take note of the goodness in our lives. The next time that you are feeling low in spirits try counting your blessings.

peacesojourner

We Mourn the Passing of Two Amazing Civil Rights Leaders

We Mourn the Passing of Two Amazing Civil Rights Leaders

Dr. Dorothy Irene Height 3/24/12 - 4/20/10

Dr. Height is seen in this photo receiving the Congressional Gold Medal in March 2004.

She was President of National Council of Negro Women – National YMCA; The Center for Radical Justice; President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She received the award in 1993 for extraordinary leadership in advancing women’s rights.

Some words from Dr. Height: When asked what are the achievements of NAACP? –she stated "The Anti-lynching Campaign - at that time she organized the Harlem Youth Campaign and they joined the NAACP United Youth committee with the Council Against Lynching. The NAACP are still working to make the 14th amendment fulfilled – equal justice under law. She also stated that Lillian Smith, a white southern woman , wrote ‘Strange Fruit’ and this song helped the most by exposing lynchings. Thanks to NAACP they stopped lynchings."

"As we look to the future we need to be conscious as a family in the United States and African American women seldom 'do what we want to do, but always do what we have to do.' We cannot improve condition of family without improving conditions for women and she believes that the NAACP can work on this."

*****

Dr. Benjamin Hooks 1/31/25 - 4/15/10

Dr. Hooks is seen in this photo receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2007

Dr. Hooks was the NAACP Executive Director from 1977 - 1992. He received many awards in tribute to his precedent-setting accomplishments.

He had great memories of the greatest organization for civil rights. Proud of Anti-lynching laws.

Dr. Hooks often gave the following messages: “In A.D. 33 an African named Simon saw a man struggling with a cross – he was asked to carry cross for him and he did. – One day it will be your turn to do something about it. It’s your turn now! Pick up the cross and move on."

What can be done now? – "First, too many black athletes are making millions of $ and not giving back to the community. Michael Jackson had NAACP do voter registration at his concerts. Right wing radio – needs to go! If President Obama fails the nation fails! Everybody should support the new NAACP president Mr. Jealous."

*****

I, along with many others, had the privilege of meeting and listening to both of these icons while attending the 100th anniversary of the NAACP in New York City in July, 2009. They were both in wheelchairs, but still had the energy and stamina to show up.

They were warriors to their last day.

Their combined 183 years of dedication to civil rights and justice for all has left an impact on the United States and every citizen who lives here. Their place in history has been signed, sealed and delivered and they will be remembered for a very long time.

Collectively, they have received so many awards and honors that I did not include in this message, but I encourage you, the reader, to research their life stories. Especially the young people so that you may understand the incredible achievements made by them.

in honor and respect.

peacesojourner

Sunday Reflection - Traditional Navajo Prayer - Walk in Beauty

Walk in Beauty

As I Walk with Beauty

As I walk, as I walk

The universe is walking with me

In beauty it walks before me

In beauty it walks behind me

In beauty it walks below me

In beauty it walks above me

Beauty is on every side

As I walk, I walk with Beauty.

In beauty may I walk

All day long may I walk

Through the returning seasons may I walk

Beautifully I will possess again

Beautifully birds

Beautifully joyful birds

On the trail marked with pollen may I walk

With grasshoppers about my feet may I walk

With dew about my feet may I walk

With beauty may I walk

With beauty before me may I walk

With beauty behind me may I walk

With beauty above me may I walk

With beauty all around me may I walk

In old age, wandering on a trail of beauty, lively, may I walk

In old age, wandering on a trail of beauty, living again, may I walk

It is finished in beauty

It is finished in beauty

Traditional Navajo Prayer

Photo by peacesojourner - Majestic Magnolia trees - Niagara Falls, Canada

Happy News - The Dedication of Mothers - A True Story

This sweet story was sent to me recently by a friend - it happened a year ago but it is still 'happy news' - enjoy!

The Dedication of Mothers:

A True Duck Story from San Antonio, Texas

Motherhood is about commitment. It is also about making the most out of what God has given you so that you can take your little ones to safety and maturity. And sometimes we see this modeled in the most unusual ways. Here is a real life story from the Kingdom of Ducks that was played out in downtown San Antonio recently.

Something really precious happened in downtown San Antonio this week. Michael is an accounting clerk at Frost Bank. He works there in a second story office. Several weeks ago he watched a mother duck choose the concrete awning outside his window as the unlikely place to build a nest above the sidewalk. The mallard laid ten eggs in a nest in the corner of the planter that is perched over 10 feet in the air. She dutifully kept the eggs warm for weeks, and Monday afternoon all of her ten ducklings hatched.

Michael worried all night how the momma duck was going to get those babies safely off their perch in a busy, downtown, urban environment to take to water (which typically happens in the first 48 hours of a duck hatching). Tuesday morning, Michael watched the mother duck encourage her babies to the edge of the perch with the intent to show them how to jump off. Office work came to a standstill as everyone gathered to watch.

The mother flew down below and started quacking to her babies above. In disbelief Michael watched as the first fuzzy newborn trustingly toddled to the edge and astonishingly leapt into thin air, crashing onto the cement below. Michael couldn’t stand to watch this risky effort nine more times! He dashed out of his office and ran down the stairs to the sidewalk where the first obedient duckling, near its mother, was resting in a stupor after the near-fatal fall. Michael stood out of sight under the awning-planter, ready to help.

As the second one took the plunge, Michael jumped forward and caught it with his bare hands before it hit the concrete. Safe and sound, he set it down it by its momma and the other stunned sibling, still recovering from that painful leap.

One by one the babies continued to jump. Each time Michael hid under the awning just to reach out in the nick of time as the duckling made its free fall. At the scene the busy downtown sidewalk traffic came to a standstill. Time after time, Michael was able to catch the remaining eight and set them by their approving mother.

At this point Michael realized the duck family had only made part of its dangerous journey. They had two full blocks to walk across traffic, crosswalks, curbs and past pedestrians to get to the closest open water, the San Antonio River, site of the famed “River Walk.” The onlooking office secretaries and several San Antonio police officers joined in. An empty copy-paper box was brought to collect the babies. They carefully corralled them, with the mother’s approval, and loaded them in the container. Michael held the box low enough for the mom to see her brood. He then slowly navigated through the downtown streets toward the San Antonio River. The mother waddled behind and kept her babies in sight, all the way

As they reached the river, the mother took over and passed him, jumping in the river and quacking loudly. At the water’s edge, Michael tipped the box and helped shepherd the babies toward the water and to the waiting mother after their adventurous ride.

All ten darling ducklings safely made it into the water and paddled up snugly to momma. Michael said the mom swam in circles, looking back toward the beaming bank bookkeeper, and proudly quacking.

At last, all present and accounted for: “We’re all together again. We’re here! We’re here!”

And here’s a family portrait before they head outward to further adventures....Like all of us in the big times of our life, they never could have made it alone without lots of helping hands. I think it gives the name of San Antonio’s famous “River Walk” a whole new meaning!

This story and images have been adapted from the original and posted with permission.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 11, 2009

Welcome to peacesojourner's blog

I just noticed that this blog has two new followers.

Welcome to B. J. and Russell.

So glad to have you join us.

peacesojourner

The day after Easter.......

Martin Luther King Jr. - Assassinated April 4, 1968

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 15, 1929 – April 4, l968

Place of birth: Atlanta, Georgia. His grandfather began the family's long tenure as pastors of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, serving from 1914 to 1931; his father also served, and from 1960 until his death Martin Luther acted as co-pastor.

While in college in Boston he met and married Coretta Scott. Two sons and two daughters were born.

Movement: African-American Civil Rights Movement and Peace movement.

Major organizations: President of Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) 1957

Notable prizes: Nobel Peace Prize (1964)

Presidential Medal of Freedom (1977, posthumous)

Congressional Gold Medal (2004, posthumous)

Alma mater: Morehouse College, Crozer Theological Seminary,Boston University

Religion: Baptist

Influences: Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, Benjamin Mays, Hosea Williams, Rosa Parks, Bayard Rustin, Henry David Thoreau, Howard Thurman, Leo Tolstoy.

In 1954, Martin Luther King became pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. 


At the age of thirty-five, Martin Luther King, Jr., was the youngest man to have received the Nobel Peace Prize. When notified of his selection, he announced that he would turn over the prize money of $54,123 to the furtherance of the civil rights movement.


Dr. King's April 4, 1967 speech "A Time to Break Silence: Declaration of Independence from the Vietnam War" was profound and a stark warning against endless war.
He said “I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin the shift from a 'thing-oriented' society to a 'person-oriented' society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism and militarism are incapable of being conquered. .... 
A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death." (MLK, April 4, 1967)

The speech was delivered in the Riverside Church in New York City, to the clergy and laymen concerned about Viet Nam.

On the evening of April 4, 1968, while standing on the balcony of his motel room
in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was to lead a protest march in sympathy with striking garbage workers of that city, he was assassinated. He was killed exactly one year to the day after his greatest speech – against the War on Viet Nam. (in case one misses the symbolism)

The King family publicly stated that the federal government killed Dr. King and that James Earl Ray was just a patsy who was framed (Dexter King even met with Ray in his prison and they sought, without success, to get Ray the trial he never had).
In December 1999, after Ray's death in prison, the King family won a federal lawsuit against some of the perpetrators of the assassination. The jury found that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was the victim of a murder conspiracy - not a lone gunman. This astounding jury verdict is rarely mentioned by the media. The facts are fairly straightforward, confirmed by a federal jury verdict and endorsed by the King family.

The best way to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy is to work for a world beyond militarism, for non-violence and economic justice.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 1967 Speech Against War and Injustice - Timely Today. You can find complete copies of the speech on line, also on youtube. Please take the time to view them. You will see that if you change the words Viet Nam to Iraq and Afghanistan, the speech could be relevant today.

Tomorrow marks the 42nd anniversary of his assassination.

They slew the dreamer - long live the dream.