"When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!" (from the speech delivered on the steps at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963.) Today is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Few individuals have touched contemporary world history as he has. He was a man in the business of hope. While cognizant of and outraged by injustice, he chose the way of peace and hope and promoting that hope to a people disadvanted, discriminated against, and disheartened. To listen to his speeches and to read his quotes, I am always saddened to know that such a truly special man lived a very short life, unable to give more to humanity. My African American friends celebrate this day. I celebrate this day, too, as it marks the memory of an extraordinary man, whose words and thoughts continue to eccho through modern history, reminding us all that good leaders can help people overcome their despair and find a way to be seen, heard, and acknowledged for their rights without the need to resort to violence. How can I not be filled with respect for a man who said: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." I so wished there were more people and more world leaders like him.
1/21/2008
Martin Luther King, Jr.
"When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!" (from the speech delivered on the steps at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963.) Today is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Few individuals have touched contemporary world history as he has. He was a man in the business of hope. While cognizant of and outraged by injustice, he chose the way of peace and hope and promoting that hope to a people disadvanted, discriminated against, and disheartened. To listen to his speeches and to read his quotes, I am always saddened to know that such a truly special man lived a very short life, unable to give more to humanity. My African American friends celebrate this day. I celebrate this day, too, as it marks the memory of an extraordinary man, whose words and thoughts continue to eccho through modern history, reminding us all that good leaders can help people overcome their despair and find a way to be seen, heard, and acknowledged for their rights without the need to resort to violence. How can I not be filled with respect for a man who said: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." I so wished there were more people and more world leaders like him.
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17 comments:
Salam Nazy Joon. Just wanted to say Hi, and also say I read all the recent posts. Enjoyed them as usual :-)
Thank you for this wonderful post about the importance of this day. Yesterday, I was visiting my sick "uncle" (who grew up and old in Nashville), and he was explaining to me the feel of Vanderbilt University (where he was a well-loved professor for many years) during the time of the freedom rides and the marches...And he had even attended several church functions and listened to the words of Dr. King live !! I found it so refreshing to spend time listening to the respect my uncle had for this man who has always been one of my favorite historical figures.
سلام نازی خانم
چه کار خوبی کرده ای که روز تولد ایشان را برای یادبود او انتخاب کردی.ایرانیان قدیم هم برای بزرگداشت یاد درگذشتگانشان روز تولدشان را جشن می گرفتند،برخلاف امروزه که یادبود را در سالروز درگذشت برگذار می کنند.مصلحین و اولیاء و آزادگان در همه جای دنیا و در همه زمانها حرفشان یکیست.چون حق است و حق و حقیقت جز یکی نیست.
چه همزمانی معنی داریست :سالروز تولد مارتین لوتر و این ایام.
صلح و سلام بر تو و همه
When you look for peace
then the peace lies within you
When you search for peace
then it is not hard to find
When you want to keep peace alive
then you allow white doves to fly over you
When you make peace with others
then the whole world live in your heart
When you let peace be in the world
then you live in wonderful world
When you allow peace flow around the world
then your hateness will go and love will flow
When you open the door for peace
then peace welcome to your lives.
Let the peace prevail in our wonderful world
Ravi Sathasivam / Sri Lanka
"I so wished there were more people and more world leaders like him."
Even one like him proved to be too many for this messed up world. It is sad that people like him should be celebrated when they are dead and gone. And it is a strange society that collectively kills a man to make him fit for celebration.
Dear Nazy, his bday is january 15 although today (I mean Jan 21; in fact yesterday) was the official holiday.
I was searching Zoya Pirzad in google and I got to your weblog. The "magical" Pirzad and my project at hand was forgotten as I started reading your blog. You know what Nazi joon? You are pretty "magical" yourself. I enjoyed your writings, your attitude towards life and lots of other things in you. Pleased to meet you!
Best,
Farideh
سلام نازی
مایی که آزادی و آفتاب را دوست داریم، مایی که به دیگران لبخند می زنیممایی که می خواهیم پیرو بشریت و انسانیت باشسم در چنگ کسانی گیر کرده ایم که ...
Salam Chakameh Jan:
Missed you girl! I'm glad you're back. Please forgive my tardiness in coming to visit your blogs recently. I will get organized again soon.
Be happy Ms. Scientist Chakameh and take care.
Assal Joonam:
How lucky you are to have access to those stories through your uncle! Do jot down some details and give them to me. I will write his stories if you like! I wish speedy recovery and health for your Amoo azizam. Take care.
اوووووووووووه چقدر حس جالبي است که تعداد کامنت ها دارد يکي يکي زياد مي شود و من مي فهمم که اين يعني نازي آنجاست
Salam Masoud Jan:
In the United States, the third Monday of each January is a national holiday, observing the birthday of Martin Luther King. It is an important holiday and celebration for Americans of African descent, but also for any peace-loving individual anywhere. In the US, except for Memorial Day which is a day in which soldiers who died in wars are remembered, any other day related to an individual is his birthday.
Thank you for coming and for visiting. I'm sorry I have been tardy in replying to all the thoughtful comments. I am doing it now as we speak! I have received the Forough piece and I will let you know what I think really soon. Thank you. Be good and happy Masoud Jan.
Neda Joonam.
What a beautiful poem and what a powerful message. Thank you, as usual, for your most appropriate comments and your soulful input. I cannot remember when I prayed for peace as hard and as long as I have been doing over the past two years. We need it now more than ever. Thank you my friend.
Salam Ehsan Jan:
Indeed, our world could have been a better place if he had lived longer. I believe, however, that wars would end and peace would prevail when each individual in the world believes in peace. Martin Luther King was just one man, fighting so much ignorance, so much hate, and so much discrimination. That battle was just too big and too hard. It is up to all of us to insist on peace now. I am sure when every single person on our planet wants peace, no politician and no leader can ever impose it again.
Be good and my best to Maryam.
Noon Jim, Noon Jim, Salam, Salam!
I can't believe you came to visit! I visit you and find it fascinating that you don't accept comments in your blogs! Silly me, I tried to write a comment desperately, until I talked to Leva and she told me that I can't leave comments, so I gave up! I even sent you a note asking you how I could post a comment, I am so insistent and fozool! Anyhow, I do love reading your blogs, as you are so intelligent and so interesting.
Yes, you are right. The third Monday of January is a holiday in observance of MLK's birthday, due to the fact that the only two "floating" holidays on American calendar are Christmas Day and New Years, where occasions are celebrated on their exact date. Others are all organized to take place on Mondays closest to the date.
Please come back soon Noon Jim!
Salam Bar Farideh-ye Aziz:
How delightful for me and how kind of you to have visited and read my blogs. Thank you for announcing yourself, joining my other fabulous friends here. I am honored to meet you. Please come back again soon.
Anonymous Jan:
Thank you for coming and for commenting. I believe some words of your comment may be missing, but from what I can make out, I will reply.
I believe the quest for freedom and peace to be a most prized desire and goal for humankind. I believe this quest which has gone on for thousands of years will go on until that freedom and peace is delivered to those seeking it. The small steps everyone on earth will need to take don't involve anything militant, however. I believe through knowledge and understanding and education, nations will simply not put up with oppression and force. All we have to do is to try and become enlightened and to bring that enlightenment to others, too. No dictatorship can rule enlightened people. That's what I think. Thanks again for coming.
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