Every year we, as a nation, celebrate the life and accomplishments of “MLK.” Monday, January 21, 2019, is no exception. Yet, for many, the day is more background noise; a passing story on the news or a day off with the reason forgotten. Too often, MLK remembrances are glib and unsubstantial. I believe that is, at the least, more than unfortunate.
I want to tell you about my favorite work of MLK (though, to be fair, there is still many of his works I am not yet familiar with). In April of 1963, MLK was arrested in Birmingham, Alabama. Before his arrest, some clergy of the area wrote MLK a letter, calling his “present activities” “unwise and untimely.”
While I the jail, MLK wrote a letter back to the clergy in response; appropriately titled, “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” I find it excellent (and sad that it was needed) in so many ways! A bit latter upon his release he tweaked the letter and was recorded reading it. You can find this letter and MLK’s recording of it here:
https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/letter-birmingham-jail
It is just under an hour long, but well worth the listen!
[Link to blog post I wrote on this in 2015.]