Speaking Lessons

Norman Rockwell Humanity found at Pinterest

When I was in sixth grade, I had the honor of being chosen for a lead part in our Spring musical called, "Kid's for America". As you can imagine, there was quite a patriotic bend to the production. Beyond the excess of red, white and blue and various medleys of national anthems there was a line (that somehow ended up in my speaking part) that made a huge impression on me.

"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, by the content of their character." MLK JR.

Before memorizing this quote, I had very little exposure as to how a person's appearance would impact how other people would treat said person. I recall my shock when this concept of racism became a clearer reality. Having the chance to speak MLK's words was a great honor for me. I passionately recited MLK's dream at each and every performance with the hope that in the audience re-hearing them would have a change of heart and racism would fall by the wayside with each word that uttered from my lips...

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"I have a dream (Yes, Mr. King your dream has now become mine) that my four little children ( Dr. King has four children? How are they getting along without him?) will one day (TODAY!) live in a nation (Why isn't this already so?) where they will not be judged by the color of their skin (Judgement of appearance is ridiculous - what if someone judged me for my straight long hair and round face?), but by the content of their character. (I hope my character would stand up to such judgement.)

With all the strength and conviction my sixth grade mind and body could muster, I wanted the judgement of people to stop. Even at that young age, I knew that I was not perfect. I'd done and said things I shouldn't - and other people did too. So how, could we as imperfect people, judge another person on what they looked like.

While I was aware then that Dr. King had died as a result of his work to end racism in our country, I did not have a full grasp of how racism had impacted our country. Most of my world view at this point had been quite protected, but even so, I knew in my limited capacity that racism needed to stop. It does need to stop.

It would be wonderful to say that Dr. King's dream had become a full living breathing reality in our nation, but we still have some serious work to do. Skin color and physical characteristics do NOT determine the depth or quality of character of a person. The character of a person defines the quality and depth of their character.

My sixth-grade-singing-thespian self caught the performance bug on that tiny cafetorium stage in rural Pennsylvania, but more importantly I learned that I had a voice to speak out for those who did not have the audience I had been afforded. It was my responsibility, if I have any "character" at all - I need to speak out for the benefit of others.

I, thanks to Dr. King, have a dream planted in my heart.

I have a voice.

I do have a stage - a platform - and a responsibility to speak on and for the benefit of others.

It's time the spotlight shone on ALL people with equality.

Let's make Dr. King's dream a reality.

SWB: Claustrophobia and clearings

Mary Lue shared her host post on business and rest for this weeks Sleeping with Bread Examen. Her words resonated with me in the fact that due to a significant staff change at my office, there is more work to be done and my plate is feeling fuller lately. There have been more meetings, and lots of talking and planning. For the most part, I've felt much more connected to people since I've become more involved in this way, but oddly when I'm done for the day or night - I find myself in need of some quiet. Maybe I'm still sorting and planning in the back of my mind, but silence (even my own) is something I find myself being more and more drawn too. It's like the extra noise, both internal and external, makes me feel claustrophobic . A few days after Christmas, I went into a game store with my son and was overwhelmed by all the noise and activity there. The store was tiny but filled with kids and their parents vying for their video game of choice. My head felt hot, my

Sunny and rainy day friends

There are two kinds of friends in the world: Sunny day friends and rainy day friends. This is a statement that my Mom used to remind me of when I was in the midst of drama or conflict with one school friend of another. There are lots of people that we define as friends, but they are really acquaintances. Two men were out hunting in the northern U.S. Suddenly one yelled and the other looked up to see a grizzly charging them. The first started to frantically put on his tennis shoes and his friend anxiously asked, "What are you doing? Don't you know you can't outrun a grizzly bear?" "I don't have to outrun a grizzly. I just have to outrun you!" This story is funny, but it does help define the distinct difference between a rainy day friend and a sunny day friend. The sunny-day-friend is more concerned with watching out for their own health and wellness, than their friends' wellbeing. On the other hand, a rainy day friend is willing to take risks, work fo

What Summer Camp Means to Me...

I was around six-years-old when I first went to sleep-away summer camp. At the time I lived in PA and the camp (through my church) was in Ohio. All school year, I attended Sunday School faithfully partially because regular attendance allowed my family scholarships to help with the cost of Summer Camp. Over the school year, I attended most Sunday's and by the end of the year, my little coupon book was full of stamps - providing me with a scholarship to attend a camp session. I provide this background on how I first got to go to camp, because it is an essential part of explaining what Summer Camp meant (and means) to me. Going away to Summer Camp gave me a whole new experience of community. The whole process of going to and attending was the first times I experienced, "it takes a village", personally. From the Sunday School Teachers who drove a sedan full of kids to Ohio, to the counselors and staff who supported new campers: through the first 48 hours of homesickness

Uphill idealist

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