Message and Invitation for MLK Day

From Dr. Joby Taylor


Just a quick note as we head into this MLK Day weekend.  

Below are a couple fyi items for the upcoming MLK Day…First a little Shriver connection:  Harris Wofford, who helped Sarge design and launch Peace Corps, was a close friend of Dr. King, and Harris was instrumental in getting MLK Day passed as a national holiday.  He was in the Senate at the time and worked closely with another of my heroes, Rep John Lewis, in the House to get it passed. He considered it part of the larger effort to have service, justice, and peace supported and celebrated in our national calendar and programs.  

I’ll be out of town on Monday, but for those who are interested the MLK Parade in Baltimore (down MLK Blvd) is a wonderful local event…a full-on parade with marching bands and dance troops, but with strong community participation and a justice and peace flare to many of the groups that march.  With the important Uprisings for racial justice growing, this parade has the special feel of a celebratory demonstration of pride and resistance.   You just find a spot anywhere along MLK blvd below Eutaw Street. Here’s a link to the website info.

Dr. King came to Baltimore a number of times…One of the biggest events was just after he received the Nobel Prize and as the 1964 Presidential election was approaching.  He spoke at the big Masonic Temple on Eutaw St (you’d recognize it with its large brown domes).  Anyway, below are a couple pics of him in the motorcade that October 1964 day.  I’m sure he’d charge us all to keep up our service and work for racial justice, economic opportunities, and peace!!

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Sending my best to you all this quiet Friday!

~joby

Posted: January 12, 2018, 10:44 PM