Today is America's Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday, a day where we take stock of how far we've come as a society, as well as consider what remains to be achieved.
While responding to the horrifying killings in Tucson, President Barack Obama's call for civility last week certainly seemed particularly well-timed given today's observances. Yet, since civility also naturally extends to those who look different from us, let alone think differently than we do, the President's remarks also provide a stark reminder that we have a long way to go before reaching Reverend King's dream.
Since Bono and The Edge have been in the news for their gestating work on Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark -- and since Steve On Broadway (SOB) is ostensibly about theatre -- today, I'm posting U2's seminal 1984 hit, "Pride (In The Name Of Love)."
While the tune references Dr. King's tragic 1968 assassination in Memphis, it also boldly proclaims, "Free at last, they took your life, (but) they could not take your pride."
Let's remember his enduring legacy through civility and love -- proud traits no one can take away unless you let them.
In keeping with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.
Tomorrow, the nation will come together once again in one of our most quintessential and cherished of American phenomena as we witness the peaceful transfer of the power of the U.S. Presidency. Only on this distinguished occasion, the day captures the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. with the inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th President.
It's quite likely that tomorrow would not have been possible, at least not so soon, had it not been for the valiant struggle as epitomized by the man we honor today.
In his landmark 1963 speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial -- not far from where a new memorial is being erected in his honor -- Dr. King dared to dream what had sadly seemed impossibly out of reach:
I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
As a new CNN poll seems to indicate, America is on the threshold of a new day. Our nation has grown dramatically, not just over the last 45 years since that speech was delivered, but incredibly just over the last year. With the inauguration of President-Elect Obama, grown black men and black women are joining hands with grown white men and white women, along with men and women, boys and girls, of every color of the spectrum, as sisters and brothers.
While it's undeniable that there's still essential work to be done to further fortify the bridge that crosses our racial divide, we can rejoice that a strong bridge has been built in the first place, and it's been built on a sturdy foundation of hope and freedom.
One can only wonder just how proud Dr. King would have been of his country.
The building of the long overdue Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial will commence this spring on Washington's National Mall, not far from where America's civil rights leader gave his 1963 speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as part of the peaceful March on Washington.
Rain: A Tribute To The Beatles Limited run extended through May 31, 2011 (Show will go on hiatus starting January 15 and reopen at Brooks Atkinson Theatre on February 8)
Rock Of Ages - Open-ended run (Show will go on hiatus starting January 9 and reopen at Helen Hayes Theatre in March)
As someone who has been involved in both politics and public relations, it's no wonder I love watching theatre. Good or bad, it's the raw energy of seeing a live performance that gets my adrenaline pumping. From the moment I saw my very first Broadway show ("Annie" in London in 1979), I was hooked. Now I see as many as 70 shows each year ranging from soaring musicals to two-hander plays. And these eyes just may be in an audience near you!
