MLK's legacy depends on his follower's actions and connections to others

Political parody T shirts by Amit Shimoni, Touch of Modern

According to Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, keynote speaker at the 19th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast in Canton, Ga., MLK was a strategist with an agenda, and it was not all about dreaming. And it wasn't all about him. Humble, determined MLK bid followers to make "The Promised Land" real.  

It takes action by King's disciples to make his legacy live.

Like Jesus, King convinced others they could do the work whether he was around or not. And that's just what happened, Franklin said. Courage coupled with conviction and coalition building were keys to civil rights movement success. But the fight continues.

Everyone must be all in when fighting poverty, hunger, war, terrorism, generational hatred, and injustice, Franklin said in keynote speech in Canton, Ga.

"Unity amidst division is ours to solve,"  Shirley Franklin

MLK's last public words were, "And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

According to Jesse Jackson, King's last words on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel were to musician Ben Branch, who was scheduled to perform that night at an event King was attending. "Ben, make sure you play 'Take My Hand, Precious Lord' in the meeting tonight. Play it real pretty." (http://nhdexample1.weebly.com/assassination.html) Take a few minutes to ponder what King was last thinking about before he was silenced by a bullet.

"Inspiring Unity Amidst Division"

"Take My Hand, Precious Lord"  

by Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey (1899–1993)
 

Precious Lord, take my hand.

Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
When my way grows drear precious Lord linger near
When my life is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call, hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
 When the darkness appears and the night draws near

And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand, guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, Lord I'm worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home