I was born in August of 1965 in the sweltering heat of Opelika, Alabama. Perhaps surprisingly, the year 1965 and the state of Alabama were to be auspicious for The Civil Rights Movement.
In 1965, the Selma, Alabama to Montgomery, Alabama marches were comprised of three marches that marked the peak of the United States Civil Rights Movement. Many prominent leaders were involved in these marches, which were born from the voting rights movement, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Hosea Williams.
About 13 years ago, I made the pilgrimage with my mother to the Martin Luther King, Jr. death site and now museum in Memphis, Tennessee. My mother and I were engaged in conversation when we looked up to see that we had pulled into the Lorraine Hotel parking lot and were both instantly transported when we gazed upon the second floor hotel railing and could easily visualize the iconic image from 1968 with the three men pointing in the direction of the gunshots that killed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Minutes later, I actually stood on the balcony where Dr King, was shot and killed. I could still feel the intense energy of purpose and the reverberation of the man who once had a dream for all of us to live in peace and harmony.
When we contemplate the almost unimaginable courage it took for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to give the famous “I Have A Dream” speech it leaves every last one of us moved. Acknowledging the set backs and trials and tribulations of the movement, he implored us:
“I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, 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.”
Let us open our hearts to each other, especially to those in need of compassion and service as we celebrate MLK Day.
To watch the speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk
© 2011 Jeanine Marie Austin, Ph.D., C.Ht.
Doctor of Life Coaching, Certified Hypnotherapist
Simply Divine Solutions
Life Coaching and Hypnosis Worldwide
http://www.SimplyDivineSolutions.com
Tags: Alabama, civil rights, Dr. Jeanine, Dr. King, dream, life coaching, Spiritual Coaching, Universal laws
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