As part of its mission statement, Coffee Party USA states:
The Coffee Party provides a place where men and women of all ages, races, physical abilities, and orientations can come together for a respectful and honest exchange of ideas.
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We are Americans working to create a fair and inclusive society. Our members represent the diversity of thought, background, and circumstance that is found in the cities, towns, and neighborhoods of our country.
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Our love of country is not based on division. It is founded on our shared belief in democracy, equality, liberty, and justice.
Join me over the fold as Coffee Party USA celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther King, who embodied these ideals.
First, an essay from the blog.
In Honor of MLK, JFK and RFK: We Still Dream.
In many ways, America has nevered recovered from the assassinations of our great visionary leaders, John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr.
We'll never know what may have been had they lived. But, we do know that their call to unity, civic engagement, and a meaningful sense of community, citizenship, country still move us deeply.
To the world, they laid bare their dreams and yearnings for a better future for all. And it was important to them we reached for our ideals united in our vision.
Now the trumpet summons us again -- not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need -- not as a call to battle, though embattled we are -- but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation," a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself. - John F. Kennedy's inaugural address, January 20, 1961
And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." - Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, August 28, 1963.
What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or whether they be black. - Robert F. Kennedy, Remarks on Martin Luther King Jr's Death, April 4, 1968
Some will say these words are outdated and no longer apply to our society. We beg to differ. These are visions for a future that endure in our hearts and to the extent that values can transcend particular cultures, we believe they express universal values and yearnings.
So despite the naysayers who will dismiss us as fools, let us be affected by the power of these words. And let us dream and share those dreams so that they may one day become a reality.
Next, today's Blog Talk Radio episode on legacies of an apparent odd couple--Dwight Eisenhower and Martin Luther King.
Open Call-in Hour Focused on Eisenhower and MLK
Date / Length: 1/17/2011 4:00 PM - 1 hr
Description: Today is a holiday honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. 50 years ago today, Dwight Eisenhower gave his Farewell Address in which he warned us about the growth of the Military Industrial Complex. http://bit.ly/... Prof. Michael Swanson who teaches "History and Modern World: The Idea of Democracy" at Roger Williams University will be a guest for the first part of the show. Course description: http://corematerials.homestead.com/ We will then we will open up for an open discussion about what's on our minds on this historic day.
Coffee Party USA also remembered King's being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Dr Martin Luther King Jr Accepts the Nobel Peace Prize
The following passage from the speech was highlighted on Facebook: "I believe that what self-centered men have torn down men other-centered can build up." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Finally, the words of one of the men who inspired King.
"Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding." - Mohandas Gandhi.
Happy Birthday, Dr. King. May we yet realize your dream for this country.