Happy Birthday Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Regardless of the times, personal conditions, or attempts to channel, some men and women rise to the top through the evolution lottery to achieve. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of those; you can't cookie-cutter the greatness of individual spirit and vision. King could see the possibilities for humankind to remove the shackles of man's fears and prejudices.

The Rare Ability ...

Martin Luther King had the ability to lead others verbally and with non-violent actions against those who ruled by indoctrinating their minions with half-truths, folklore and insecurities. Leading by fear leads to hate; both cause paranoia, misinformation, and create cult-like masses of people. These types of leaders carry out hateful agendas through charismatic instigators; they know how to deflect from real issues and convince followers that it's "their fault." Divide and conquer is an old tactic that works to a certain extent.

We're The Same ...

Dr. King opened minds, hearts and doors in ways no one had ever done in this country. He made us understand the humanity of man. His legacy of non-violent protest to advocate for change is the norm in our country and has been used on all sides of the cultural and political spectrum. Still today, many of Dr. King's speeches read like prophecies in the areas of race, education, economics, sexism, genderism, and the continuation for balance in a capitalistic society.

As a leader he had the ability to get people to recognize the sameness of human goals and desires to bridge the gap of differences. Through the power of words and peaceful protest, Dr. King united people through commonality of self. Dr. King knew the power to break down barriers of ignorance is one step at a time.

Celebrate

While the crazies continue to give a picture of despair and woe, man continues to rise above it. People resort to the tactics of gloom and doom when they can no longer dominate and know they are losing control. The outpour of love, community service, and respect for the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a day for joyful remembrance and hope for the future. With that in mind, listen below to "Happy Birthday" written and sung by Stevie Wonder and dedicated to Dr. King; it's on Wonder's "Hotter Than July" album and was released by Motown's Tamla label on September 29, 1980. It became a centerpiece for the movement to make Dr. King's Birthday a national holiday. President Ronald Reagan signed the bill into law in November 1983, but the MLK holiday was not officially observed until the third Monday of January in 1986.

Pictorial Tribute/Stevie Wonder's "Happy Birthday"