Hello, all. I know: what’s that? Who’s that? Does a voice beckon from the Den?
It’s been a while. I know it, you know it, so there’s no sense beating around the bush. I confess I have been somewhat internet-removed of late. Reasons, they could flow like a waterfall down the excuse trail of the great wide web, but a Chris is a Chris, a blog is a blog, and I shall use this space as it’s designed (nevermind that I’m the designer). The only proper way I see to do that is to kick things off in celebration (champagne optional, internet cookies will be provided free of charge).
New Years has now come and gone, but while there remains a long slog of winter left to go, there is still a very important holiday to remember, and it’s already in swing. Did you need to run to your calendar to see? If you’re in the United States, I dare say you should know: it’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day dedicated to the advancement of liberties in this country, as well as one of its biggest proponents.
Pause a moment. Think on that. Today, America is also inaugurating its first African American president for the second time. President Barack Obama. Fifty, sixty years ago–not even a lifetime–this would not have been thought possible. Martin Luther King Jr. might have longed for it, might have hoped for it one day, but could it have seemed more than another dream to him, as he pondered what the future might hold? Certainly, he would be pleased to see it. Certainly we should all marvel at how far our country has come.
The Rev. Dr. King is a singular figure in the midst of our nation’s long history, but one to be remembered, both for his significance as a symbol and a force, and for the actions and character of the man himself. He gave of himself, quite literally until the end, to achieve racial equality in a nation divided. His speeches are still remembered today as some of the finest bits of oratory to grace the scene, and his cry for non-violence is one that shall be forever engrained in the psyche of the nation. It is for all these reasons that King will be spoken of in schools today, and the government takes a day in memoriam.
Yet his is a conversation not to be contained to time or place. The fight for equality goes on, but so too does hatred, and one of the best weapons we can put against it is this: History. Remembrance. So with that in mind, it pleases me to have for you today an infographic dedicated to the life of a great man, summing up better than my mere words could suffice, and all thanks to the gracious contribution of one Allison Morris.
Read, learn, and remember how the United States has grown:
Infographic care of: Allison Morris and Online College Courses.
The Waking Den 