THE INAUGURATION & MLK DAY
A time to remember as we move forward17 total reviews
Comment from mjordahl
I got chills of emotion,sadness, pride, and predjudice reading your great story.You pointed out several things I wasn't aware of. Your awareness and pride shows through.My family is racially diversed and for all of us in my family who are,or not of color I pray them equality.For the human race not just color specific. Excellent!
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2013
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I got chills of emotion,sadness, pride, and predjudice reading your great story.You pointed out several things I wasn't aware of. Your awareness and pride shows through.My family is racially diversed and for all of us in my family who are,or not of color I pray them equality.For the human race not just color specific. Excellent!
Comment Written 27-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2013
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Thank you for your thoughtful and kind review and comments, I greatly appreciate both.
Comment from Gregory K Shipman
It is with some sense of pride that I can see the sweeping changes since my youth. know there is much racial hatred, much bigotry (going multiple ways) and too many people trying to keep people economically and socially enslaved. But Dr. King was a leader and his legacy and memory still are forefront...
What you've written here is a fitting tribute and carries your mark as a writer, a lover of freedom and a believer in equality...
greg
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2013
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It is with some sense of pride that I can see the sweeping changes since my youth. know there is much racial hatred, much bigotry (going multiple ways) and too many people trying to keep people economically and socially enslaved. But Dr. King was a leader and his legacy and memory still are forefront...
What you've written here is a fitting tribute and carries your mark as a writer, a lover of freedom and a believer in equality...
greg
Comment Written 24-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2013
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It is right that there should be a sense of pride for the progress that has been made over the last 5 decades. It is with much pride that we see our children and grandchildren engaging with their peers based on who they are and not what part of the color spectrum they are from. This seems to be, for the most part, second nature for our young people today.
I did feel since the inauguration was being held on the day we honor Dr. King that it was only fitting to pay tribute to him and acknowledge those who gave their lives for all we now have. We must never take these gains lightly.
As George Santayana wrote - â??Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.â??
Unfortunately, there are large pockets of ignorance that still exist and enclaves of bitter souls that live in the past and would drag us back there. While we most definitely should not dwell on the past, we do, however, need to keep our connection with it in order to avoid repeating a dark history.
There is still much work to be done and god willing we will continue to follow our better angels and do what is right and just for all.
Thank you for your insightful review.
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Your posts make me glad there's a 'you' out there writing like this...
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Muchas gracia, mi amigo!
Comment from visionary1234
Awesome write Marisa! Nobody can beat you for well-reasearched, impeccably written commentary non-fiction. (And not a hanging fragment in sight!) Bravo! What a fine write to celebrate today! :)Sharyn
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2013
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Awesome write Marisa! Nobody can beat you for well-reasearched, impeccably written commentary non-fiction. (And not a hanging fragment in sight!) Bravo! What a fine write to celebrate today! :)Sharyn
Comment Written 21-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2013
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Thank you, Sharyn.
Comment from Spiritual Echo
Even as I write, I have been watching the inaugration since noon. Amazingly, I neither an a ciizen or live in the United States.
The re-election of this historic even touches me as deeply as someone standing on Pensylvania Avenue.
But your essay, the quotes and reminders of what took place in order to get to this day, merits serious reflection.
Lincoln wasn't popular in his day, but he was, in fact, the president who gave birth to human rights.
Martin Luther was hated by any in his lifetime, and look at us today. Your president is being crowned on a national holiday that honor King's sacrifice to courage.
From my distant perspective, bouyed by the adoration that is being displayed on TV today, every American has the chance to make the same kind of difference.
At the luncheon, it was announced that a statue of Rosa Parks would stand tall in Washington.
Can you imagine? This woman simply sttod up for what she thought was right. It moved me to tears.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2013
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Even as I write, I have been watching the inaugration since noon. Amazingly, I neither an a ciizen or live in the United States.
The re-election of this historic even touches me as deeply as someone standing on Pensylvania Avenue.
But your essay, the quotes and reminders of what took place in order to get to this day, merits serious reflection.
Lincoln wasn't popular in his day, but he was, in fact, the president who gave birth to human rights.
Martin Luther was hated by any in his lifetime, and look at us today. Your president is being crowned on a national holiday that honor King's sacrifice to courage.
From my distant perspective, bouyed by the adoration that is being displayed on TV today, every American has the chance to make the same kind of difference.
At the luncheon, it was announced that a statue of Rosa Parks would stand tall in Washington.
Can you imagine? This woman simply sttod up for what she thought was right. It moved me to tears.
Comment Written 21-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2013
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This is a wonderfully emotional day for all of us and one that will go down in our Country's history as a water shed moment.
I am so happy that you enjoyed my piece. I felt compelled to remember Dr. King and those in the civil rights movement for all they sacrificed to get our nation to this moment in time.
As a country we still have a long way to go and I know we will get there one day if we follow our better angels.
I am thrilled to hear about the plan for a memorial statue Rosa Parks, she is one of the unsung heroes of the movement and she so deserves the recognition.
Thank you so much for this lovely review and your thoughtful comments.
Comment from Cogitator
The only judge we contain is the human ego. It is the satanic power that skews meaning and can only identify differences. Instead of finding commonality, it seeks to divide. Great job! John...
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2013
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The only judge we contain is the human ego. It is the satanic power that skews meaning and can only identify differences. Instead of finding commonality, it seeks to divide. Great job! John...
Comment Written 21-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2013
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Hear, hear, John ... well put. Thank you for this review.
Comment from HeavenlyDreads
Well said! Thank you so much for presenting this piece at this time. Too often we look at how far we've come and the civil rights era seems distant: until something happens to make us realize that we still have a way to go. This piece was informative and inspirational. As an African American woman, your notes really resonated with me. It pains me that there are still places in this country where I am not welcome because of the color of my skin. It is my prayer that we will one day be a country that respects all men and I hope it happens sooner rather than later.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2013
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Well said! Thank you so much for presenting this piece at this time. Too often we look at how far we've come and the civil rights era seems distant: until something happens to make us realize that we still have a way to go. This piece was informative and inspirational. As an African American woman, your notes really resonated with me. It pains me that there are still places in this country where I am not welcome because of the color of my skin. It is my prayer that we will one day be a country that respects all men and I hope it happens sooner rather than later.
Comment Written 21-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2013
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Thank you for this most lovely review.
I too long for the day when this country truly lives up to its promise of equality for all of its citizens. We must never forget what Dr. King and those in the movement sacrificed to bring about change.
Unfortunately, there will always be those who choose to live in ignorance and in the past. May we find their kind a much diminished group in the future.
Comment from Dave M
Marisa,
This is an excellent essay, well written and very much to the point. I enjoyed reading it.
Last summer, Congressman John Lewis traveled to Dalton and spoke to about a hundred of us in the city's old black elementary school (now a museum). Later, my wife and I got to shake his hand. We had last seen him in the flesh almost fifty years before (although we've often seen him on television). That was in 1964 in Atlanta, during civil rights demonstrations there.
That mess in Atlanta was surely not one of the campaign's finer moments. If you'd like to read more about it, I've posted a short account titled "Charlie Leb and Skippy." It's around somewhere, buried deep in my portfolio.
Dave
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2013
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Marisa,
This is an excellent essay, well written and very much to the point. I enjoyed reading it.
Last summer, Congressman John Lewis traveled to Dalton and spoke to about a hundred of us in the city's old black elementary school (now a museum). Later, my wife and I got to shake his hand. We had last seen him in the flesh almost fifty years before (although we've often seen him on television). That was in 1964 in Atlanta, during civil rights demonstrations there.
That mess in Atlanta was surely not one of the campaign's finer moments. If you'd like to read more about it, I've posted a short account titled "Charlie Leb and Skippy." It's around somewhere, buried deep in my portfolio.
Dave
Comment Written 20-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2013
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Oh, how wonderful that you and your wife got to meet Congressman John Lewis in person and shake his hand. I think he is the most wonderful man and I love to hear him speak.
I will definitely find your piece and read it.
Thank you as always for a wonderful review.
Comment from el twelve
very well written, informtive and you can definitely tell that you are passionate about this political topic. I concure with your opinions of racial issues.
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2013
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very well written, informtive and you can definitely tell that you are passionate about this political topic. I concure with your opinions of racial issues.
Comment Written 20-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2013
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Thank you for this supportive review and your appreciated comments. I am happy you enjoyed reading this piece.
Comment from EMB
This was a terrifically comprehensive piece that reminds readers of what many sacrificed and suffered to get us to where we are now in history. Many readers should find this very informing, and I suspect others may have a shift in a paradigm or two.
An awesome and moving read, my friend.
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2013
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This was a terrifically comprehensive piece that reminds readers of what many sacrificed and suffered to get us to where we are now in history. Many readers should find this very informing, and I suspect others may have a shift in a paradigm or two.
An awesome and moving read, my friend.
Comment Written 20-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2013
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Thank you Edward, I appreciate your words so much. I feel that we must keep Dr. King's history alive and in front of each new generation. The civil rights movement was the most important event of our lifetime and those who gave their last measure of dedication and ultimately their lives for this cause should not be forgotten.
Comment from Laureen Bennett
An eloquently written call to equality and morality for our country and for us, as individuals. No one is more admired in our society than Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who brought this all to sit upon the conscience of America as a call to freedom. Slavery is a dark blot against America's past and as an American, I wish it would not have been part of this great country's legacy. Not being able to turn back the hands of time and ask for a "Do Over", we must move forward and declare democracy for every one of us. Thank you for so poignantly reminding us how fragile freedom is and that the freedom bell should ring loudly from here forward in and throughout America's hallowed halls.
One side note for the author; for the 6th stanza is the word "snapper" correct from the original article instead of "sniper"?
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2013
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An eloquently written call to equality and morality for our country and for us, as individuals. No one is more admired in our society than Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who brought this all to sit upon the conscience of America as a call to freedom. Slavery is a dark blot against America's past and as an American, I wish it would not have been part of this great country's legacy. Not being able to turn back the hands of time and ask for a "Do Over", we must move forward and declare democracy for every one of us. Thank you for so poignantly reminding us how fragile freedom is and that the freedom bell should ring loudly from here forward in and throughout America's hallowed halls.
One side note for the author; for the 6th stanza is the word "snapper" correct from the original article instead of "sniper"?
Comment Written 20-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2013
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I want to thank you for this most eloquent review. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.
I am pleased that you enjoyed the piece.
