This was one of Martin Luther King Jr.’s most riveting speeches as he recently returned from a trip to Africa, the country of Ghana, and was witness to “The Birth of a New Nation” as Ghana was finally freed from British rule and gained its own sovereignty.
Even though this is well over 50 years ago, we still have something we can learn from this glorious speech. As we look around and observe what is happened since the “Arab Spring”, and one country after another going through leadership changes, and the people crying out for freedom and independence, it is all very reminiscent to what Ghana went through as it fights for its independence. We look at the situation nowadays in Syria, and the mass exodus of refugees fleeing to other European countries, and the words of Martin Luther King Jr. rings so true:
On the universality of Ghana’s struggle:
“Ghana has something to say to us. It says to us first that the oppressor never voluntarily gives freedom to the oppressed. You have to work for it. … Freedom is never given to anybody. Privileged classes never give up their privileges without strong resistance.
There is something in the soul that cries out for freedom.
Freedom only comes through persistent revolt, through persistent agitation, through persistently rising up against the system of evil.”
“On the realities of the struggle:
…there are always those people in every period of human history who don’t mind getting their necks cut off, who don’t mind being persecuted and discriminated and kicked about, because they know that freedom is never given out, but it comes through the persistent and the continual agitation and revolt on the part of those who are caught in the system. Ghana teaches us that.
On nonviolence:
It reminds us of the fact that a nation or a people can break aloose from oppression without violence.
The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community. The aftermath of nonviolence is redemption. The aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation. The aftermath of violence, however, are emptiness and bitterness. This is the thing I’m concerned about. Let us fight passionately and unrelentingly for the goals of justice and peace, but let’s be sure that our hands are clean in this struggle.”
I am constantly amazed, now that I have become a student of the works of Martin Luther King Jr., of how the words of this great man, over half a century ago, continue to ring true and stand the test of time. Whether he is talking about “man’s inhumanity to man” or “injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere”, we keep getting faced with reoccurring situations in today’s world that calls for voice such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s to speak about. Too many of today’s leaders, only go about the “political correctness” but, King, was not afraid to “call a spade a spade” and to go against the conventional wisdom of the day. King said often in his speeches, that he did not want to be the type of leader who was a “consensus seeker”, but he wanted to be the type of leader who was a “molder of consensus”. That’s so beautiful, and the lesson for so many of our leaders today to learn.
This again, is one of Kings wonderful works that stands the test of time.
If you get a chance, read the speech in its entirety, or listen to it on an audio version, and you will be riveted to it as well.
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
