April 3 -- "I've been to the mountaintop"
On today's date in 1968 on the day before being assassinated, MLK delivered what would be one of his most famous speeches.
Fun history fact is that he almost didn't GIVE that speech... He was originally to come to Greensboro, NC and speak at a church that happens to be across the street from my best friend's house after moving some years ago, but changed his plans late in the proceedings.
It seemed that he knew his time was near, though, as referenced toward the end of his speech, in the most memorable passage, with…
“And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers? Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't really matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. 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. So 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.”
Eerie indeed when you consider what HAD taken place as I described above, and what would eventually take place as history has described ingreat detail on the third Monday of every January in most cities in the United States at parades usually ignored by the children allowed out of school to attend them.
Keeping in mind that streets bearing his name are the harbors for the ills of gentrification and White Flight in most cities to have so honored the man--… you know what? I can’t do this anymore.
Today was the (seemingly by his choice of wording) beginning of the end for a man who would SURELY have wanted more for his continued work, struggle and eventual untimely demise than Gucci Mane.
Fun history fact is that he almost didn't GIVE that speech... He was originally to come to Greensboro, NC and speak at a church that happens to be across the street from my best friend's house after moving some years ago, but changed his plans late in the proceedings.
It seemed that he knew his time was near, though, as referenced toward the end of his speech, in the most memorable passage, with…
“And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers? Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't really matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. 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. So 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.”
Eerie indeed when you consider what HAD taken place as I described above, and what would eventually take place as history has described in
Keeping in mind that streets bearing his name are the harbors for the ills of gentrification and White Flight in most cities to have so honored the man--… you know what? I can’t do this anymore.
Today was the (seemingly by his choice of wording) beginning of the end for a man who would SURELY have wanted more for his continued work, struggle and eventual untimely demise than Gucci Mane.
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