Lift every voice and sing, 'til earth and heaven ring,
ring with the harmonies of Liberty. Let our rejoicing rise high as the listening skies, let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us. Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us. Facing the rising sun of our new day begun. Let us march on 'til victory is won!
Remember The Dream
"I HAVE A DREAM" Dr. Martin Luther King Lincoln Memorial Washington, DC August 28, 1963
Use the scrollbar to see the speech in its entirety...
"I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the 'unalienable Rights' of 'Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.' It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."
But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.
We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.
The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.
And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.
There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, 'When will you be satisfied?' We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: 'For Whites Only.' We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until 'justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.'
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.
Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends. And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and 'nullification' -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; 'and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.'
This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:
My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride, From every mountainside, let freedom ring!
And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California. But not only that: Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia. Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee. Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:
Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we're free at last!"
MLK Memorial
MJ Walk of Fame
MY FAVORITES LIST
I Want You Back Who's Lovin' You You've Changed Can You Remember Chained Born To Love You Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah ABC The Young Folks The Love You Save One More Chance 2-4-6-8 I'm The One You Need I'll Bet You Don't Know Why I Love You True Love Can Be Beautiful I'll Be There Mama's Pearl Goin' Back To Indiana Can I See You In The Morning Reach In Darlin' Dear The Love I Saw In You Was Just A Mirage How Funky Is Your Chicken Feelin' Alright Never Can Say Goodbye Maybe Tomorrow Sugar Daddy Christmas Won't Be The Same This Year Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Got To Be There Lookin' Through The Windows Little Bitty Pretty One Skywriter Rockin' Robin I Wanna Be Where You Are Ben Dancing Machine Good Times Enjoy Yourself Blame It On The Boogie Shake Your Body Down To The Ground Show You The Way To Go Ease On Down The Road Heartbreak Hotel Can You Feel It Torture We Can Change The World
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough Rock With You Workin' Day & Night Off The Wall Girlfriend She's Out Of My Life I Can't Help It It's The Falling In Love Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' Baby Be Mine The Girl Is Mine Thriller Beat It Billie Jean Human Nature P.Y.T. The Lady In My Life We Are The World Bad The Way You Make Me Feel Speed Demon Liberian Girl Man In The Mirror I Just Can't Stop Loving You Dirty Diana Smooth Criminal Leave Me Alone Jam Why You Wanna Trip On Me Remember The Time Heal The World Black Or White Will You Be There Gone Too Soon Dangerous Scream They Don't Care About Us Earth Song You Are Not Alone Childhood Smile Unbreakable Heartbreaker Invincible Break Of Dawn Heaven Can Wait You Rock My World Butterflies Speechless You Are My Life Don't Walk Away Cry The Lost Children Whatever Happens This Is It
GONE WAY TOO SOON! Michael Joseph Jackson 08/29/1958 – 06/25/2009
The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called The Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to The Rainbow Bridge. There are hills and meadows for all of our special friends so they can play and run together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine where our friends are comfortable and warm.
All of the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made strong and whole again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are content and happy, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all play and run together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Their bright eyes are intent; their eager body quivers. Suddenly they begin to run from the group, flying over the green grass, their legs carrying them faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress their beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then, you can cross The Rainbow Bridge together...
Paul C. Dahm
🕊 In loving memory of all my family pets, 6 dogs and 1 cat! Chaka, Champ, Duchess, Duke, King, Pebbles, and Queenie!
Please watch the video before you read my blog post. The video narrative is noted below for reference purposes.
"She [tiger] saw her mother hacked to death. Now, she faces life trapped in a tiny cage. He [bear] saw his mother shot. They beat him to make him dance. She [dog] saw her sisters drowned. Somehow, she escaped. He [elephant] watched his mother cruelly worked to death. He's next. So many young animals are traumatized before their life has barely begun. Abused by people who treat them as tools to do a job or a nuisance to be wiped out. How do you see them? World Animal Protection, sees them as living, feeling creatures. Are you with us? Please call the number [1-877-938-5889] on your screen or go online [ProtectTheAnimals.org] right now and give just $15.00 a month to help stop this horrendous cruelty. These vulnerable young animals need you to protect them. Just $15.00 a month will make a difference. You will make the difference. It’s so important that you take a stand--so important that you are side by side with animals when they need you the most. Call or go online right now. Don’t wait. Everyday counts. Every animal matters. That’s why World Animal Protection is there treating the sick and injured, protecting them from a life of misery. But, we can’t do this important work without you. We need your support. For just $15.00 a month, 50 cents a day, you can help us make sure pain and fear are only memories for abused animals around the world. Please don’t put this off. Call the number on your screen or go online right now and become an animal protector with World Animal Protection. These suffering animals need you right now. They need you to care. Thank you."
First of all, let me start my post by saying I love animals. Over the course of my life, I've had several pets that were dear to me and they were always treated like members of my family. I was raised with five dogs that my father brought into the house as puppies because he loved animals too. Four of them (2 males and 2 females) were brothers and sisters from a neighbor's litter of German Shepherds and we named them King, Duke, Queenie, and Duchess. In fact, we referred to them as 'The Royal Court'. The fifth puppy (male) came from another neighbor and I remember some people referred to him as a mongrel, a term that I personally dislike. He was a cross between a St. Bernard and something else (I don't remember because I was so young), and we named him Champ. When I became an adult, got married, had a daughter, and it was time to get her a pet, I decided to 'jump the fence' and bring home a kitten (female) from a litter that was offered to me by a co-worker. We named her Pebbles and because my daughter was an only child, she became her constant companion and sister (so to speak) for many years.
I am a person who values ALL forms of life created by God. But, unfortunately, I am constantly reminded that in America, my life as a Black person doesn't matter and never has throughout the course of history. As you watch and listen to the video, one can't help but wonder what happens to all of that commitment, empathy, passion, support, and sympathy when it comes to Black human lives? In many ways, we have suffered the exact same atrocities and far worst because of racism. In fact, with the exception of a few words here and there, you could actually use the same narrative and change the images in the video from animals to Black human beings and this so-called great country of ours would immediately become blind, deaf, and dumb to the problem.
I challenge anyone who reads this post to brush up on our history and read about all of the unspeakable acts that have been committed against Black people and you will find that, much like these animals, we have been abused, captured against our will, dehumanized, discriminated against, hung from trees, marginalized, murdered in cold blood, separated from our families, sexually assaulted/raped, sold into slavery, treated like property, whipped into submission, and everything else you can imagine. What happened to the pleas for compassion and support for us? As far as I know, we never even received an apology from America for all of the un-Godliness that was (and, still is) inflicted upon us for no other reason than the color of our skin. And, why is it that no one is willing to 'stand with us' when we proclaim that Black Lives Matter, when you know all we're trying to say is that our lives matter too?
As a recent example, Colin Kaepernick dared to call attention to this problem because so many unarmed Black people are being murdered at the hands of trigger-happy police officers who always claim afterward they were 'afraid for their life'--even if the victim was laying on their back with their hands and feet in the air. It is physically impossible for someone in such a position to be a threat. And yet, we've seen time and time again examples of Caucasians assaulting police, resisting arrest, and armed with a weapon who are apprehended without being killed. Why is it that no one is willing to support Colin and the stand he is taking for fair and equal treatment of Black people under the law, which is our constitutional right as American citizens? Instead, his intentions are misconstrued and misinterpreted as disrespect for the flag and/or the national anthem, and he is blackballed from football.
For the sake of clarity, yes, the lives of every animal matters--but, the lives of every Black person matters too. What is happening to these animals is definitely wrong and it needs to stop. And yes, they deserve our help and support so by all means, feel free to respond accordingly. But, if you can't show the same care, concern, and support for Black human beings when the situation calls for it, something is wrong.
I'm a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and retired executive assistant. My sun sign is Virgo (The Virgin) and yes, everything you've heard about us is true!
Hello! Take your shoes off, relax, and make yourself at home. Please watch your step because there are lots and lots of ladybugs here. This blog is a 'safe haven' for them and no pesticides are allowed. We hope you enjoy your visit, but if you don't like anything that even remotely resembles a bug, this is NOT the place for you! LOL!
To Be Determined...
The purpose of this blog is not clear to me yet. Up to now, I've only been interested in the creative process of designing blogs and enhancing their appearance. Writing is not my area of expertise but, I decided to give it try and see where it takes me. In the meantime, I look forward to discovering my purpose somewhere along the way so this statement can be more definitive in the future.
A fool's brain digests philosophy into folly, science into superstition, and art into pedantry. Hence University education.
George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)
Many people are fond of ladybugs because of their colorful, spotted appearance. But farmers love them for their appetite. Most ladybugs voraciously consume plant-eating insects, such as aphids, and in doing so they help to protect crops. Ladybugs lay hundreds of eggs in the colonies of aphids and other plant-eating pests. When they hatch, the ladybug larvae immediately begin to feed. By the end of its three-to-six-week life, a ladybug may eat some 5,000 aphids. Ladybugs are also called lady beetles or, in Europe, ladybird beetles. There are about 5,000 different species of these insects, and not all of them have the same appetites. A few ladybugs prey not on plant-eaters but on plants. The Mexican bean beetle and the squash beetle are destructive pests that prey upon the crops mentioned in their names. Ladybugs appear as half-spheres, tiny, spotted, round or oval-shaped domes. They have short legs and antennae. Their distinctive spots and attractive colors are meant to make them unappealing to predators. Ladybugs can secrete a fluid from joints in their legs which gives them a foul taste. Their coloring is likely a reminder to any animals that have tried to eat their kind before: "I taste awful." A threatened ladybug may both play dead and secrete the unappetizing substance to protect itself.
Pinterest Pinboard
The Virgoan One
Virgos are analytical people, especially when they are in love. This isn't necessarily a bad thing unless you become overly analytical, which will not only drive you crazy, but irritate your partner as well. In a relationship, Virgos have the tendency to be critical and a little demanding. If you find that you always seem to drive your mate away, your critical and controlling nature is probably one of the problems. Always needing to be in control, Virgos have a difficult time letting go emotionally and intimately; this is why their perfect companions are people who are strong and liberated. That's not to say that Virgos don't have any redeeming love qualities, because they do… and plenty! When Virgo men and women are in love, they pledge themselves entirely and completely to their partners. They can be counted on to be monogamous and loyal. Unlike other more impulsive signs of the zodiac, Virgo's do not fall in love easily but slowly, and when they do, they fall hard. Once Virgos have completed their slow and steady path to love, they aim to please. They are perfectionists after all, and this strive toward perfection applies to every area of the their lives.
Household Badges
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