Freedom and tenderness

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.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/08/28/mlk_i_have_a_dream_video_watch_martin_luther_king_jr_deliver_his_famous.html
(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?

***
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

34 comments

  1. Thank you so much for that, David. What an amazing story and she is a riveting speaker. I am also, as someone who was already "complex" at the age of 12, deeply content that you spoke so clearly and simply to your friend about his daughter.

  2. One of my favorite speeches.

    I made a point of going to Memphis and visiting the museum and the motel where he was killed. I think he must be one of the best orators ever…Thanks for the link x

  4. Hello Heather

    I just returned from a life drawing class at passed midnight and found this posting. I want to thank you sincerely. I have just finished listening to the Krista Tippett interview with John Vanier. Powerful, beautiful and so full of hope. I shall sleep peacefully. There are spectacular human beings in this world and some are bloggers

    Helen xx

  5. DearHeather,

    At the predictable risk of going more than usually off-topic?…..??????

    you (and everyone) should go to:

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eleanor-longden/voices-in-our-heads-ted-talk_b_3791908.html?ncid=wsc-dl-cards-readmore

    I was reminded of Eleanor's speech when I read your comment "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."

    Just for the record?….I spent this evening having dinner with a parent who's been told that his daughter needs to "go on meds"
    (as we say these days) because she doesn't act "happy"…..at age 12. I told him that she was a bright girl who had good reason to be sad (which is not the same as "clinically depressed") and PLENTY of good reasons to be anxious…..and she seemed to be expressing those emotions…..which seemed NORMAL & "Healthy" to me. Hiding them would constitute a "problem".

    In any case, Eleanor Longden (who's been put through diagnostic hell and come back to tell the tale) gives a good speech. Go to the link cited above
    —david terry
    http://www.davidterryart.com

  6. I really appreciate your post today. Dr. King's message is especially important to review now. Sadly, some in our country are trying to roll back time and to take away the few strides toward equality that have been realized. Always a fan of your blog,
    Sally Leonard

  7. Perfect Heather.

    As was said today, "We need to keep on marching."…..listening, helping, reaching out, reaching in.

  8. Thanks for these links, Heather. I was listening to President Obama speak at today's memorial ceremony when your post came in. Indeed, listening to King's speech brings back an era very early in my life (and when you weren't even yet born!) I, too, was impacted by Brene Brown's discussion of vulnerability, and her contention that that which makes us vulnerable also makes us beautiful. She inspired a post from me last fall (http://judithaross.com/2012/10/10/women-who-dare-2/#comments).

    So glad to hear you have an new group of admirers — not surprised though!

  9. Thank you Heather (and Aidan). Listening to the Jean Vanier interview now. It's wonderful! Happy to discover Krista Tippett's podcast and will check out the other interviews. Will listen to Martin Luther's speech too! Thanks for the encouragements to do so. P.S.: I love your taste in interviews and subjects. You are a sweet heart.

  10. Thank you for posting this. I listened to it yesterday, from another source, and was just amazed all over again. Look forwardto listening to the other piece, too.

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