The Mountaintop, The Promised Land

We take time today as we do every year to remember Martin Luther King, Jr. King was a rarity in a time of great social upheaval in the United States, a leader behind whom legions would fall in line in pursuit of the noble goals of equality, and by extension, peace.

His legacy is enormous and extends all across the world, and rightly so. It is his most famous speech that is usually reprinted and replayed, and again, that is probably the right of things. The "I Have a Dream" speech embodies many things about the greatness that America has within it and what greatness America is capable of achieving. It also marks one of those rare moments, a true turning point in American history where a leader leaves an indelible mark on history through his words and actions and resolve.

So, as we remember Dr. King, I would like to not only direct you to footage of the "I Have A Dream" speech, but also to direct you to one of his other speeches, the "I Have Seen The Promised Land" speech. When I was just a little guy, I remember asking my mother who Martin Luther King was. She told me he was a great man who'd given people hope, and that he'd fought for equality. She also told me that the night before he was killed, he'd given a speech where he talked about how he may not get to see how everything would turn out, but that he knew humanity would make it, that we would "get to the promised land."

"You should hear it someday," she said. "It was something else."

So, thanks to archives and technology, I can both provide you with the following quote:

We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

...and I can also point you to a recording of the last part of this, his final speech: