Martin Luther King, Jr.

........I've seen the promised land...I may not get their with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land!--Martin Luther King, Jr. 

I get the chills every time I hear Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Mountain Top speech.  The raw emotion coupled with the prophetic vision of that speech reverberates with the same clarity today as it did on the day it was delivered.  On the eve of an historic presidential inauguration, it is only fitting that we reflect on the legacy of King and his vision of a morally and socially just society.  

To me, Martin Luther King, Jr. was the most powerful orator this nation has ever seen.  His ability to use his voice as an instrument of justice--moving from the soft and reassuring to a crescendo of absolute anger of injustice--made him one of the most persuasive speakers of our time.  Aside from his words, King's commitment to Ghandian methods of non-violent protest channeled a collective anger into a focused commitment for social justice.  

The 60's images of peaceful demonstration in the midst of utter chaos have left a permanent imprint on my psyche.  I often wonder if I could've turned the other cheek like other King followers did in the midst of all the hate.  I recall the now famous scene at the diner where a protester has a milkshake hurled at him or the scene where innocent protesters were doused with a fire hose. Would I have been able to keep the same commitment to peaceful demonstration in those circumstances?  An eye for an eye is the doctrine most live by in the 'hood.  With that said, the fact that King was able to harness the collective anger brought on by the historical wounds of slavery makes his story even more legendary. 

Today, people have been called to service to honor Martin Luther King's legacy.  Faith-based institutions, community-groups, school children and their families will mobilize in record numbers to beautify parks, feed the homeless, provide clothing to those in need and to lend a helping hand to our nation's elderly.  The MLK Day of Service is a fitting tribute to a man that valued service to others as the greatest gift you could possibly give.  Through service and volunteerism, we are the keepers of King's legacy to lift others up through our deeds.  

Tomorrow, as President Obama takes the oath of office, I have a feeling Martin Luther King, Jr.'s spirit will be with our 44th president at the mountain top.  The promised land still awaits. However, we as a people will get there through dedicated service and a commitment to keeping King's vision for a morally and socially just society alive.