“Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true.” Martin Luther King Jr.
January 20th didn’t seem to arrive fast enough. We had marked our work calendars weeks before in eager anticipation of seeing Michael Eric Dyson. This was a great way of our honoring Dr. King and being able to attend a worthy and inspiring commemorative celebration in his honor. I couldn’t believe that we’d have the opportunity to see and hear Doctor Brother Preacher Teacher Michael Eric Dyson right in our own backyard! Right here at historic William and Mary College-literally down the street from work. This noted college campus is only a stone’s throw from work. We'd first have to return home to scoop up our son and mother in law-that evening, it was a family affair and we knew it would be robbery to leave them out.
Later on I would observe that the audience was a wonderful cross section of people all ages and ethnicities. The young, the elderly and the in between -their attendance was a sure sign that others felt the importance of bringing along their loved ones as well to witness and partake. Here stood this intellectual giant right in our midst and he was honestly frank and funny, just really real! Thank God for candor! Laughtern is not a bad thing either.
We were insured perfect seating because our arrival on campus planted us at the Sandler Center’s Auditorium before the ushers pushed open the locked entrances. I am pleased to share that we were not disappointed as I shared on face book! No shortchanging the attendees! This was without a doubt mentally exhilarating! For a moment I wondered, what must it be like to sit in this intellectual dynamo’s class room?
I was a student all over again and listened intently to Michael Eric Dyson,
the prolific commentator, the brilliant theologian, the insightful Sociology professor, the astute NPR correspondent and the best selling author who imparted his wisdom and easy humor as he poured out his heart about Dr. King. The word magnanimous comes to mind regarding my perception of the whole evening. Noteworthy is what the evening was! Dr. Dyson’s arguments and delivery regarding Dr. King were engaging. It was as though we too were drawn in dialogue about the measure of the man: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Click on excerpt which will give you a glimpse of the magnitude of our evening.
Friends, I wish you had been there! It was a no holds barred evening-a well balanced intellectual assortment! Dr. Dyson shone a bold flood light on the social and historic realities for a nation in the midst of radical social, civil and economic change. The food for thought shared by Dyson brought a revealing panoramic view of who Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was for America in his life and after his untimely death. I thank God for planting Dr. King on this earth!
Author of: "April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Death and How It Changed America.” is especially significant during this 40th anniversary of the life of our civil rights leader. As a result of Dr. Dyson’s presentation I am compelled to encourage you to read his website, listen to his telling interviews, acquire his recent book(s) and let's agree to engage in relevant and yes, difficult discussions that stretch us and most certaintly celebrate and honor the rich legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We'll certainly be all the better for it as we explore the measure of the man!
Peace and God's Abundant Blessings To You,
Linda Mose Meadows, author of:
The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life’s and God’s Promises
http://www.blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/ http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/
http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/
