Reflections on the MLK day march in Sacramento
Amidst a sea of gray clouds and freezing temperatures, early on the morning of January 16 the sun was not missed. Standing among hundreds of people armed with umbrellas, wrapped in brightly colored scarves, hats, and gloves united for a single cause, the warmth of the sun was felt in human form. The bubbling of voices grew and grew as more people arrived in the parking lot of Sacramento City College. Some with banners illustrated the iconic image of the day Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. Others wore T-shirts with the words of the man and the reason we were all ready to march nearly 4 miles in his memory.
Amidst a hustle and bustle of presenters going up and down the stage and briefly presenting their speeches, I remember someone saying:
“They may cut all the flowers but they can’t stop the spring.”
As we marched, I could hear the lively laughter of the people around me amidst the blaring music. It was in those moments that I reflected on the rebellious nature of flowers and the inevitability of a vernal dream.
Martin Luther King Jr, the man who once dreamed of a future both free and equitable has not only passed that dream on to his people. But in his legacy, he has awakened a desire to watch, listen and learn among other peoples, like my own. So today, I invite you to do the same. Here are two great books about the life and dream of Martin Luther King.
March on! the day my brother Martin changed the world by Christine King Farris; illustrated by London Ladd
Martin Luther King Jr. by Dharathula H. Millender ; illustrated by Al Fiorentino
