Sunday, January 18, 2009

MLK and Barack Obama

January 19 2008
Pangean Orchestra
Colin O’Donohoe

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I’m a father. Every St. Paddy’s day we listen to a lot of Irish music. Every MLK day I sit with him and show him video’s of Dr. King’s speeches. Both are enjoyable, but lead to very different conversations.

I don’t want people to think, feel, or say that the dream is realized on January 20 2008. It isn’t. It is far from realized. We take a beautiful step towards the realization, but nonetheless find many more mountains to climb after that foot is planted in the ground. Maybe we feel that Obama is the one that can lead us towards the realization, but don’t think that the game is over.

I interpret Dr. King’s dream to be one where we can go about our days with “race” being nothing to be afraid of. We shouldn’t be afraid to acknowledge our differences or similarities. How can the dream be realized when there are still many people afraid that Obama is a “secret muslim”. Can the US have a Muslim president? Gay President?(openly that is). Can we have an openly gay, muslim, right to life, woman of Mexican decent president?

Is President the only place where the dream can be realized? I feel like the entire country and its inhabitants (meaning us) have to work towards that realization.
Enjoy the festivities as I will. This is a historic event that I am so excited about. I feel that Barack Obama is an incredible man who will lead us out of this mess we are in. Just don’t let this moment allow you to disown your own responsibility towards making King’s dream a reality.

If you love his message, love humans, and think the goal/dream is worth achieving; don’t quit now. The momentum just swung in our favor, but there is still a lot of time on the clock.

ps -
Go Steelers!!

1 comment:

Gilliam Arts said...

Well put, Colin. I think you're right, and that you articulated this well.

Kudos to you, too, for taking the time to really celebrate these holidays with the kids, reflecting on their meanings. Too many of us forget what these holidays even represent, in our thrill of having an extra day off work or a good sales at department stores.

Warm thoughts!