Do you have seventeen and a half minutes to spare?
That is the duration of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I have a dream” speech. You might think that you know it, on this, the 50th anniversary from when it was delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial but then again, you might be surprised. If you actually listen to it, to him, in its entirety, well, it is the true essence of the best of what we can achieve in our limited existence. I can’t not show up today to talk about this. Here is a link to watch it and if you can get through it without tears, you are of sterner stuff than I. We have come far, we have far to go.
(I chose this link as it also has the speech written out below, it is breathtaking in its beauty and power)
But I have a second lien for you today, another that touched me deeply, in such a quiet way that I had to strain to hear. And yet the words are echoing through me. My friend Aidan first brought my attention to the podcast On Being with Krista Tippett, I believe it was for the exceptional interview that she did with Brene Brown on vulnerability. Since then I tune in weekly while I iron. Today, I listened to Jean Vanier, who is the founder of L’Arche, a system of communities in 40 countries that works with the developmentally disabled. He spoke of how those that were not so long ago immediately shut away in asylums have much to teach us about what it is to be human. It is also very much worth your time and I agree that there is a profound Wisdom in Tenderness.
The link to: http://www.onbeing.org/program/wisdom-tenderness/234
It was really something to hear both of these on the same day, overlapping despite the stylistic differences. So again, much good has been done but it is up to each of us to keep passing it along. I think. N’est ce pas?
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I am very surprised and grateful for the recent influx of new email subscribers. Not to worry, I don’t spend too much time up on my soapbox–at all actually–but if you are here, well, we might just be of like minds.
With all of my Best from Arles,
Heather
So beautifully said, my dear Marsha. To even just slow down to think about what we are doing, how we are being with others…
I watched the speech on Wednesday, soaking in every word. 50 years later and it's still as powerful as ever and still needed. Both my father and grandmother marched on Washington that day, and as I sat in my living room, watching the old black and white footage I felt proud knowing that they were both there somewhere deep in the crowd. I'm not going to lie, there were tears, but happy, proud tears x
I heard about Jean Vanier and L'Arche in the past through Henri Nouwen. Thank you for the link to the interview. This is the first time I heard his voice. Jean Vanier is a "man of God and heard the "cry of God. I think Thomas Merton have mentioned Jean Vanier and L'Arche also in his writings.
Martin Luther King's speech was very powerful.
Hmm, a very good question!!! For me, I see it in the opposite way–that people who have morals behave in an ethical manner–but even if you Google quickly the definition of both you can see that both concepts are tied together!
I love when such dialogues happen here! Merci Mumbai!
So much more can be accomplished with tenderness and love and patience. None of us has enough of these simple things. Because it all takes time, and time is what we all lack these days. Beautiful thoughts, Heather.
Do you think people who are ethic are automatically moral? I believe in both and
ethic is the foundation. Yet I didn't listen to the interview with Mr.Vanier but
will comment it soon.
As you do, Joan, as you do!
I remember well that incredibly inspiring post of yours, Judith.
Bisous.
Oh, thank you! (it takes one to know one?) Kristin, I have been loving the On Being series. I always learn and am inspired. Always.
Let me know what you think of it, if you do. I think his ideas go beyond the context that they were based on and are of use to us all.