It Still Resonates

From MLKJ’s last speech in Memphis:

“You know, whenever Pharaoh wanted to prolong the period of slavery in Egypt, he had a favorite, favorite formula for doing it. What was that? He kept the slaves fighting among themselves. But whenever the slaves get together, something happens in Pharaoh’s court, and he cannot hold the slaves in slavery. When the slaves get together, that’s the beginning of getting out of slavery.”

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I think of Reverend King, today – to be honest, though, this is only because a speech of his was playing on the radio when I flipped it on in the car.  Otherwise, I would totally have forgotten.  I was driving my children to the aquarium.  Jack wouldn’t be quiet, so I yelled at him, too loudly.*  I wanted to hear.

I think of Occupy Wall Street, also.  I think of underclasses, and struggle.  One man was a catalyst for change.  He didn’t even need social networking to accomplish it.  He was 39 when he died.

I think of the marines who peed on those dead people in a desert pretty far away, and all of the people who don’t think this was bad.  There is a big ruckus on facebook today.  I stayed out of it.  Slaves, fighting amongst themselves.  We holler and screech about urine and disrespect and the flag and what we can expect out of the people we send so far from home into so much danger, and the Powers That Be chuckle at our misdirected fury.  They continue to get away with it.

We need another one like him.  I picture a body literally floating above the fray.  Elevating the conversation.  I hope this person comes soon.

* Jack was saying “Where we goin’ mama, where we goin?” for the fiftieth time, and I said “QUIET!!” and he said “You shout at me, mama?” and I said “I get frustrated sometimes Jack, because you ask me too many questions.  I don’t want to always answer questions, ” and he said, “but why mama?  But why?  Mama?  Why?  Why you fustated? Why?  WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY”