We have nothing to fear
Montgomery, 1955
“ Actually, no one can understand the action o f Mrs. Parks unless he realizes
that eventually the cup o f endurance runs over, and the human personality cries
out, *1 can take it no longer*. Mrs. Parks’ refusal to move back was her intrepid
affirmation that she had had enough . . . She was anchored to that seat by the
accumulated indignities o f days gone by and the boundless aspirations o f
generations yet unknown.”
_ M .L .K .
O n December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, a seamstress, refused to
give up her seat in the bus to a white man. This was the episode
that triggered the successful bus boycott in Montgomery and the
end o f segregation in the South.
Man of Peace
"We will suffer and die if we have to”
. . . I don’t know what will happen now. We have got difficult
days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me because I ’ve been to
the mountain top. Like anyone else, I would like to live a long
life. But I ’m not concerned with th at I just want to do God’s will
and He has allowed me to go up the mountain. I see 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. I am
happy tonight that I am not worried about anything. I ’m not
fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming
of the Lord.
You all know the story of Rip Van Winkle. . . .
Everyone remembers that Winkle slept for twenty years.
But what is important is that when he went up on that moun­
tain to sleep there was a picture of King George hanging in the
town.
When he came down, there was a picture of George Washing­
ton in its place.
Rip Van Winkle slept through a revolution, but we cannot
afford to remain asleep.. . .
Our world is as a neighborhood.
“We must all learn to live together as brothers, or we will all
perish as fools.. . . ”
There are two challenges to America.
The challenges are racism and poverty.
In a few weeks a few of us are coming to Washington to see
if the will to meet those challenges still lives among us.
W e’re not coming to engage in any histrionic action.
We are not coming to tear up Washington.
We are coming to engage in dramatic, nonviolent action.
We are coming, and we will stay as long as we have to. . . .
We will suffer and die if we have to. For I submit, nothing
will be done until people put their bodies and soul into this.
April J. 1968
Memphu, Tenntseet
Portland Observer, January 28,1983 Page 7
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