SEEING THROUGH CRYSTAL-CLEAR GLASS THE 60’s and TODAY

I was reading the paper yesterday and realized something when I saw the daily Gwinnett County Post Newspaper, "Perspective/Satire" Section.  It was perfect….. 

 

Perfect because lately a better analogy cannot be found amidst the political bashing and smearing of our fellow men, women and children. It seems clear to me it’s pretty much been frivolous compared to what I saw today.   Today’s society feels defeated on so many levels you can almost smell it in the air.   Conversations, you are not technically supposed to be listening to.   Arguments, you cannot help but hear because of the sheer anger.  Defeatists with the ever growing fear of a possible "depression" lurking on the horizon.    (Yes folks, I said it "depression", most of us understand we are past recession mode).  There are so many things we, as Americans, take for granted every day.   I am reminded of my most “gentle and kind” stepson who is serving our country everyday and the type of freedom he and his comrades provide all of us.   Atrocities I preview each and every minute be it broadcast on “CNN”, “CSPAN” or whatever “National Evening News” is running on whatever 955th channel we have today.  (God only knows how much I miss Peter Jennings perspective these days).

 

My breath almost stopped in my chest with adulation upon seeing this posting in the Gwinnett Paper.  The warmth once again engulfing me and bringing tears to my eyes.  I cannot after almost 35 years read the “I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH” with dry eyes, never could.  

 

Further still, it was so beautiful to see not only the face of what I think is "TRUE" and "SINCERE" wisdom in this day and time.   It was my father’s words whispered from when I was a child during the “Civil Rights Movement” when I was young and still unclear of what it all meant.    “Honey, he said,  if it comes down to it and our world becomes crazy enough that my friends are herded and placed within barbed wire blockades; understand that I will be locked away too”.   He was just starting out as a minister and was fierce and idealistic in his beliefs.  While being raised in the Deep South, of Georgia, amid myriads of obstacles when it came to what he believed to be true and what he saw taking place around him in "rural south Georgia". Who, at 24 years of age in 1963 never faltered in his belief that all men, women and children were and always had been exactly the same.    A pleasant and effervescent voice ringing melodiously in my ears.   "Let freedom ring"!  The voice of wisdom beyond his years of what the world "should be".    But I digress....   Another gentle reminder still exists of what I try to teach my child every single day.    The lesson my daughter lives, breathes and eats too.  The lesson of seeing our world through "CRYSTAL-CLEAR" glass and not "ROSE COLORED" glass.   Martin Luther King, Jr., while his legacy is adhered to in our home, it comes very natural to her because she doesn't see through "ROSE-COLORED" glass but only through "CRYSTAL-CLEAR" glass.

 

This prose written today is not a memorial to the man.   But a praise of how his words still ring so true as if he only spoke those words this morning.   

 

Thank you again, Doctor King for “Having the Dream” and sharing it with the world.