American Savior

For everyone who fought the power when the power was dead wrong

From Our greatest shame
Arose our greatest hero
A beautiful man
Freed us from our ignorance
and gave us humanity

Author's Note

Dr Martin Luther King is a big hero of mine. He was just one man but what he represented was huge. His contribution, the contribution of thousands of decent people who knew a raw deal when they saw it and put their asses on the line to change it. We laugh at dinosaurs like Reverend Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson but we should never forget what they went through just to get a place at the table. We've come a long way since then but racism isn't over, it'll never be over. There's always going to be ignorant people in this world.

Reviews

[Joan*Eckhart]

This was simple, powerful, and brilliant.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Joan

[Tate Morgan]

I agree and remember listening to him when he spoke.I was in the 3rd grade i think when the nuns came in and brought a television to the class so we could watch the news story of his assasination

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Tate

[MOON]

A luta continua my friend ! Good write.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you moon

[Rene Velez]

glad I caught this one Ric. this is fine work, stuff like this resonates inside me, a connection beyond color, well done my friend.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Rene

[Annabelle Lee]

Everyone knows we weren't all made from the same clay by the same hands. So we are never going to act the same, look the same, think the same, or be treated the same. The thing that makes life the most beautiful, makes some of the people living it the most brutal.

Great write, Baby R

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you annabelle

[Mark]

There will always be pockets of racism I suppose. I've always thought it a great idea to marry someone from another race. Once we're all mixed up, there won't be any reason for treating someone as 'other' because of their skin color.

Of course, there will still be sex and religion.

Martin Luther King was a great man and you're right about Al and Jessie I guess. though I think they stir up where things are just fine, finding witches to burn where there are only people. Just my opinion.

[Baby Ricochet]

Those two could make girl scout cookies about race

[Pete Langley]

Yes, Mark....our biggest shame though, is that for every truly enlightening and inspiring man like Doctor King, there is a blinkered bigot who feels threatened enough to kill him. Man is his own worst enemy. P.

[Baby Ricochet]

That's for sure. Thank you Pete

[Eddie Phillips]

Beautiful my brother and clear. Your writing cracks me up at times and yet you also inspire. Thanks for that. it is not easy but you make it seem easy.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Eddie

[Emerald Seas]

Well done with a strong message.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you serah

[.]

This is such an awesome tanka,BR! I really enjoyed this...short yet powerful!

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you cord