Today, January 15, is the birthday of Martin Luther King. He was born in 1929.
During my commute a few weeks back, a news story started on NPR - an interview with Harry Belafonte. In the interview, Belafonte mentioned Dr. King's insatiable need to write in the margins and to keep notes everywhere. Sounds like me - sort of a note "king".
I keep a post-it note pad in the car, keep digital ones on my Blackberry, write them in an idea book and on the church newsletter (yes, sometimes during church). I simply cannot stop writing things down for fear that they will be gone forever. Surely there is a disease here somewhere . . .
Since this blog is about ideas, I though it was especially important to highlight the thoughts and ideas of Martin Luther King on this day. And to remember that in just a few more days, January 20, Barack Obama will be sworn in. Very cool.
I am taking a vacation day to watch every second of that historic day.
If you are a fan of Dr. King or are just very interested in his story, you will be glad to know that just in time for Obama's big day, Dr. King's papers (including drafts of his "I Have a Dream Speech") are now available for the first time. All thanks to Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and former Mayor Andrew Young. They helped raise 32 million dollars to buy the King papers.
Martin Luther King had a powerful belief in his ideas. Despite great threats to his life, he pursued them with a passion. Inspiring. If you have not actually sat and listened to or read the Dream speech, how about now?
What a great reminder of the importance and power of Tuesday's inaugural.
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