in his words…
by bam
“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
“I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
“I have a dream today.
“I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
“I have a dream today.”
–martin luther king, jr., august 28, 1963
pull up a chair 
dear friends, i chose to stand way back in the wings, and let mlk do all the talking today. this day always makes me ache. ache that i don’t do more. ache that the dream has so long, so far, to go. at our house this morn, we indulged in the occasion of no school to take time making a holiday breakfast. we played a recording of the “i have a dream” speech. we held hands and prayed that each day we would do our part to make the dream real. out in sunny california, my beloved heart-mate of a friend, cheryl, is opening her door, ushering in her annual parade of great folk, all imbibing on her annual gumbo. i’ve saluted her, and her gumbo, on the lazy susan page. give it a good look. maybe whip up a batch, although whip isn’t quite the right verb. (ever conscious of the consciences of all who enter her home, she tells me she makes a green version too. no meat. as it is a lenten food in origin, i will post it come mardi gras…)when i sent cheryl an email, letting her know her gumbo was out there, she sent back this, which i am happy to share with each of you. cheryl, a public radio girl by day, is a zydeco fiend by night and by weekend. she goes deep into her roots, and her passion for the gulf and the bayou is undying. from my friend cheryl…”Dear friends, the food and music you’re enjoying today are rooted in a very special place: the Gulf Coast, where both my parents grew up (Daddy in Baton Rouge LA and Mommy in Ocean Springs, MS). As Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama recover from Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, please consider giving to a region that’s given so much to our country and the world. Here are a few organizations that could use your help:”The Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund http://www.bushclintonkatrinafund.org provides grants to governments, grantmakers and direct service organizations in the storm-affected areas. It focuses on needs unmet by other recovery funding sources.”The Greater Houston Community Foundation http://www.ghcf.org administers relief donations for victims whove relocated in the Houston area. One of its initiatives is the Kids of Katrina Recovery Fund.”Friends of the Times-Picayune http://www.friendsofthetimespicayune.com was established by former employees of New Orleans morning newspaper. The paper won a 2006 Pulitzer Prize for its online and print coverage of the catastrophe. Many of its staff lost homes, possessions and loved ones. Note that contributions to this fund are not tax-deductible.”WWOZ-FM http://www.wwoz.org, New Orleans non-commercial, volunteer-run jazz and heritage station. One of the best music stations on the planet, devoted to promoting local musicians and the unique culture of the Crescent City. “or designate Katrina relief through the charity of your choice. Thank you!”i’m hoping you feel the wonderful soul of cheryl rub up against you, make you a better person for having crossed her path, as you consider her gumbo, consider her most generous heart. love, bam
To let MLK words saturate this day, let me add his thoughts “On Being a Good Neighbor” in 1963. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at time of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige and even his life for the welfare of others. In dangerous valleys and hazardous pathways, he will lift some bruised and beaten brother to a higher and more noble life.”