Monday, January 16, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE

No mail today.  The bank was closed this morning.  Must be some kind of holiday. 

Here's a picture I took of a house through the trees back in the 1960's.  I've become a better photographer since then.


The best speaker I ever heard in person was Martin Luther King Jr.  It was some time around when this picture was taken.  Within a year or so.  I was attending a convention of the Radio and Television News Directors' Association in Chicago.  The luncheon speaker was the former President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower.  He wasn't very good.  Stumbled through his speech poorly.

After a break Dr. King was introduced.  I think I was sitting in a front row, just a few feet from him.  After first apologizing because he had forgotten his notes back in his hotel he then spoke, sans notes, for 30 to 45 minutes.  No "ums", no "ahs", no hesitation.  Just a truly gifted speaker and a great speech.

We miss him today.

10 comments:

  1. Well said! And how exciting for you to have that memory!

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  2. He was a great man, a mentor, an example for everyone to follow. There still are many who disagree with his beliefs. I truly feel sorry for these people who put down MLK, in my opinion he was a "special" man given to us to remove ignorance and to practice forgiveness, love and understanding. Only those who feel insecure could ever question this amazing man.....:-)Hugs

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  3. A truly inspirational individual. But I really don't like that monument to him in DC. It just doesn't capture the uplifting spirit of the man, if you ask me.

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  4. Stephen, I agree. That arms crossed pose just doesn't seem like King to me. It looks more like some kind of Latin dictator.

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  5. What an extraordinary experience that must have been. That's something to tell the grandkids about for sure. ;)

    S

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  6. He was certainly the right man at the right time. Things could have gone very differently. What an amazing opportunity to hear him speak.

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  7. You are very lucky to have a memory such as that.
    I once met a prominent man in power in NZ and the atmosphere around him was electric! He had true charisma.

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  8. Thanks for the post re: MLK. I'm mystified why some-including a couple of people I heard today-don't understand his contribution. There is probably a word for them.

    Nice to be back to good connections so I can keep up with OO. The net service at the hotel was spotty.

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  9. What a fantastic memory to have!

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