I woke up this morning listening to the “Where Do We Go from Here” sermon by Martin Luther King Jr. It still amazes me how relevant his speeches and sermons are in today’s world, since the first spoke them over 50 years ago.
The thing that most put a smile on my face this morning was the fact that he reminded me that “I am somebody”. (smile!)
King went on to say that at the end of the day, nonviolence is still the answer. And when we look around today’s world to see the uprisings in the Middle East, anti-US protests sprouting up everywhere, and I read in the newspaper this morning that China and Japan are going at it yet once again. What a crazy world we live in!
Martin Luther King Jr. said that he is concerned about a Better World. He’s concerned about justice, he’s concerned about truth and he is concerned about Brotherhood. When one is concerned about those things you should never be an advocate of violence.
King spoke these words which really caused me to think… “Through violence you may murder a murderer, but you can’t murder murder”, “Through violence you may murder a liar, but you can’t establish truth”, “Through violence you may murder a hater, but you can’t murder hate through violence.
Sen. Edward Kennedy makes a wonderful introduction with “Where Do We Go from Here”, one of the landmark speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This is one of King’s best speeches as he talks to America and the American Negroes about where do they go from here.
King is encouraging voter registration drives, he’s encouraging them to straighten up, and stand tall because, “a man cannot ride your back if you stand up straight”.
He is also talking about community reinvestment acts for banks and homeownership for more people. King was way of ahead of his time it seems as he inspires people to begin thinking on these things. He applauded the new homeownership bill that was introduced at that time.
Also King was involved with “Operation Breadbasket” and he spoke frequently and strongly of black owned banks.
Below are some great quotes from this sermon as delivered by Martin Luther King Jr.
“The Negro still lives in the basement of the “Great Society”” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“Due to what has been done to the Negro through the ages, he has no resources for which to better his existence in America” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“The Negro is still at the bottom, despite the few who had penetrated to slightly higher levels” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“Mobility for the Negro is still tightly restricted. There is usually no bottom at which to start, and very little room at the top” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“In consequence, the Negro finds himself being in on an “impoverished island”, within an affluent a society” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“The Negro did not do this to himself, “it was done to him”. For more than half his existence in America he was a slave” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“Of the good things in life, the Negro has half of what whites do. Of the bad things in life, the Negro has a double portion of what whites do” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“The Negro must throw off the mantle of self – abrogation. And say to himself and the rest of the world, I am somebody. I’m black, I’m beautiful and I’m proud. I am a person, and I have a rich and noble history no matter how painful and exploded at history has been” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Just beatifically and wonderfully said!!!
Here’s to love, truth, respect and peace for all!
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
