Monday, January 21, 2013

Martin Luther King’s Day and the Writer’s That Led the Way



I think even today people undervalue the power of the pen when it comes to provoking social change. On this Martin Luther King’s Day, I’m reminded of authors who contributed to Civil Rights, especially since I’ve been watching PBS’ The Abolitionists special. Just think about all the writers and artists who have swayed people’s minds in a way that any other force of will could.

Fredrick Douglass’ slave narrative and autobiography helped awaken the conscience of a nation. Subsequent authors from W.E.B. Du Bois to Langston Hughes continued to contribute to the movement. And of course Dr. King’s own speeches are masterpieces of oratory, worthy of admiration by any artist or activist.

Which authors, reporters, or orators have altered the way you perceive the world? Do you find yourself swayed by the arguments of people long past as well as contemporary artists? How have these people affected your own writing and your daily life?

27 comments:

  1. Someone posted quotes of Lincoln's with King's today and I'd have to say that his words were incredibly powerful. And still are today.
    And Teddy Roosevelt's "Speak softly and carry a big stick" has always been a favorite as well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Words definitely have power. I think everything I read and hear has some sort of effect on me, and certainly makes me think.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello Mark:
    Oh yes, we are fervent believers in the power of the pen and the way in which when several thousand pens are held in unison that they can be amongst the most devastating weapons in the world today. Martin Luther King will always be a mentor for us in public speaking. He is without equal in our view.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I enjoyed reading your blog post. I helped my youngest child with his homework, last week, which included learning Matin Luther King's speech. I thought I remembered it, but was stunned by the powerful words. If anyone has not read his speech, in its entirety, in a while, it is worth a refresher course. His powerful words and the words of other great speakers and authors always have a profound effect on me. I remember, James Meridith, visiting Ole Miss, when I was a student (so long ago) and his words actually changed something in me.

    I am a new follower. J.A. Bennett, recommended your blog to me. I am attending the San Francisco Writer's Conference, in Feb. She mentioned that you live close by and that you might be there as well. This will be my first writer's conference (ever), and I am looking for other bloggers who will be there.

    You can email me at sugarlaw67@yahoo.com.
    I am delighted I found your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Just wish to say your article is as amazing. The clarity in your post is just nice and i could assume you are an expert on this subject.
    Well with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post.
    Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.
    Feel free to surf my website : online casino forum

    ReplyDelete
  6. I enjoy what you guys are usually up too. This sort of clever work and
    reporting! Keep up the good works guys I've incorporated you guys to our blogroll.
    Take a look at my site - adam lambert arrested

    ReplyDelete
  7. Good way of explaining, and fastidious articlе tο get infoгmatіon on the topiс of my presentation
    subject, which i am gοing to deliveг in
    cοllege.
    Feel free to surf my blog ; hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. When I originally commented I clicked the "Notify me when new comments are added" checkbox and now each time a comment
    is added I get several e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service?
    Cheers!
    Also see my page - above ground pool supplies

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi would you mind letting me know which webhost you're working with? I've loaded
    your blog in 3 different web browsers and I must
    say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend
    a good hosting provider at a reasonable price?
    Thanks, I appreciate it!
    Also visit my weblog :: hotmail login page passport

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi would you mind letting me know which webhost you're working with? I've
    loaded your blog in 3 different web browsers and I
    must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can
    you recommend a good hosting provider at a reasonable price?

    Thanks, I appreciate it!
    My site - hotmail login page passport

    ReplyDelete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Words do have the power to affect us.For me its books that inspire me. Stories make me think.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Now I have u2's "Pride" song about MLK in my head...not a bad way to be remembered:)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for the good writeup. It if truth be told was once a amusement account
    it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you!
    By the way, how could we keep up a correspondence?
    Review my webpage ... http://www.weddingshoesblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sorry I missed this post until now. When I think of Mr. King's birthday, I am reminded of his awesomeness and the Northridge earthquake I rode like a wave in California. Long story. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers?

    I'm kinda paranoid about losing everything I've worked hard on.

    Any tips?
    my site - Http://sentrabookmark.com/

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your next post thank
    you once again.

    Here is my site ... adam and eve coupons
    My site :: ada Lembu nak jaga

    ReplyDelete
  18. I've been browsing on-line more than three hours these days, but I never found any fascinating article like yours. It's beautiful price sufficient for me.
    Perѕonally, if all ωebѕitе owners аnd blоggеrѕ made just гight сontent materiаl as you probаblу diԁ, the web
    ωill be much more uѕeful than ever before.


    My blоg; crear facebook gratis

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hеy I am so hарρy Ι found
    уour web site, I reallу fοund
    you by mistake, ωhile I was lookіng on Yahoo for
    something elѕe, Rеgardleѕs I am here now
    аnԁ would just like to ѕаy many thаnkѕ for
    a remaгκable ρost аnd a all round entertaining
    blog (I аlso love the theme/design), I don’t
    hаve time to looκ oѵer it all at the minute but I have savеd
    it аnd also addeԁ in your RSS feeds, sо when
    I have time ӏ will bе bacκ tο гead а grеat deal
    moге, Plеаsе do κeep up the excеllent b.


    Viѕit my web sitе Crear facebook gratis

    ReplyDelete
  20. you're in reality a excellent webmaster. The web site loading velocity is incredible. It sort of feels that you are doing any unique trick. In addition, The contents are masterwork. you have performed a great activity in this subject!

    Feel free to visit my page :: Cheap Jerseys3

    ReplyDelete
  21. I was able to find good advice from your articles.


    Feel free to surf to my web-site ... Nike Air Max

    ReplyDelete
  22. This piece of ωritіng gives clear
    idea fοr thе new usеrѕ of blοgging, that truly hοw
    to ԁo bloggіng.

    mу web blοg ... Selco.Info

    ReplyDelete
  23. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site
    and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Anyway I'll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.

    Also visit my site http://www.iat.uni-bremen.de

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi! І сould haνе swoгn I've been to this web site before but after looking at some of the posts I realized it's new to me.
    Αnyways, I'm certainly pleased I found it and I'll be booκmarking
    it anԁ chеckіng back frequеntlу!


    Also vіsit my blog abrir cuenta facebook

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative.
    I'm gonna watch out for brussels. I'll appreciate if you
    continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing.

    Cheers!

    Here is my web-site - nokia 808 specification

    ReplyDelete
  26. Gоod post! We will be linking to thіs great contеnt
    οn our webѕite. Kеep up the good ωгitіng.


    Mу blοg Http://Hammeredcoppersink.Net/I-Dropped-My-Betta-Fish-In-The-Sink-And-Quickly-Put-Him-Back-In-His-Bowl-Now-He-Is-Having-Trouble-Swimming

    ReplyDelete
  27. Very good blog you have here but I was curious if you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics talked about in this article?
    I'd really love to be a part of online community where I can get opinions from other experienced individuals that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Cheers!

    my web site Christian Louboutin Outlet

    ReplyDelete