Dear Martin,
Happy Birthday!
You would have been 88 today had it not been for that day in Memphis….well, today is special so I won’t dwell on that.
Are you having a party up there? Did Coretta throw you one? Whatever you are doing today, have fun!
I hate to bother you with this but things are not going so well down here. The nation is divided more than ever. There is so much divisiveness and rancor. We cannot see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues. People are still judged by the color of their skin with disastrous consequences. The poor keep getting poorer and injustices are rampant.
You know that Valley of Despair you asked us not to wallow in? Well, some of are living there now!.
If I may borrow your words and change them to reflect how things are:
In spite of our faith, we are unable to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. In spite of this faith, we are not be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. Even with this faith, we cannot work together, pray together, struggle together, go to jail together, stand up for freedom together….we are broken!
So on this day, do pray for this great nation. This nation that you loved so much. Pray for us because we need it!
Enjoy the rest of your wonderful day!
Sincerely,
Nanadadzie