56 Years Ago Today

By Dr. Quintessa Hathaway, Ed.D. On this day fifty-six (56) years ago at 6:01pm Central, the United States lost a King. In Adam Fairclough’s book, “Redeem the Soul of America,” he expressed “The bullet fired by James Earl Ray clothed King in martyrdom: critics fell silent; even enemies hid their venom.” The nation was literally on fire. Tennessee Governor Buford Ellington ordered four thousand (4,000) National Guard members to the streets of Memphis to calm the uprising and rioting. That tension was fueled by extinguishing of the teachings and life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He uncovered the thoughts, the mystery, history, philosophy, theology, and psychology of humanity. He brought international attention to injustices in institutions. The current generation is called to do this same. No longer should we question our sacred fundamental principles. Human dignity is crafted in legislation, represented in litigation, and brought to bear by agitation. The Second Civil Rights Movement requires us to become untangled from the webs of disenfranchisement, division, and discrimination. What is upon us now, moreover in the former Confederate States of America, the former Jim and Jane Crow South, is legal limitations to liberty and a lack of political will...