It’s easy to walk like a king, talk like a king, and dress like a king, said journalist Roland Martin at the state’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. holiday observance on Monday, but not so easy to act like a king. "If we are going to change the nation we’re going to have to live like the king," he said. He believes America needs more people who are willing to be revolutionaries like Martin Luther King, "one of America’s greatest revolutionaries."
Martin is the executive editor of the Chicago Defender, a radio host on Chicago’s WVON radio, an author, and a nationally syndicated columnist. He’s also studying to receive a Master’s Degree in Christian Communications at Louisiana Baptist University. He was the featured guest speaker at the Monday’s noontime ceremony, the 27th annual state tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Noting that Martin Luther King was only 26 years old when he led the Montgomery bus boycott, and that some younger associates like Jesse Jackson became active while still in their teens, Martin said that they were not following a movement begun by someone else. "They just followed God’s will," seeking after Biblical righteousness and equality.
"Decide how you want to live the rest of your life in order to make change happen," Martin said. He referenced the Old Testament prophet Elijah, who addressed the people of his day with the challenge, "If God is God follow Him, if Baal is god follow him."
"What are you going to do to be a revolutionary like Dr. King?" he asked.
Martin Luther King was a man "who shined the spotlight on injustice," said Wisconsin governor James Doyle, as he arrived midway through the program to present the official Martin Luther King Day proclamation. He mentioned several initiatives he’s planning that he believes reflect King’s legacy, including an expansion of the BadgerCare health program, his college guarantee for 8th graders who keep their grades up, and reducing the incarceration rate among African American men.
Madison musical empresario Jonathan Overby has been the key organizer of Wisconsin’s state celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. This year the program he produced including music from the HighPoint Church Choir, Highway to Heaven, and the All Saints Gospel Choir of Milwaukee. As always there was a significant faith component, which is appropriate since King was a Baptist preacher. Two home schooled children, Sondra Kaddatz and Ida Miles, offered a stirring joint recitation of the "I Have a Dream" speech. The audience at the annual observance enjoyed an entertaining and inspiring program, even though numbers were down because of the snowstorm that left almost a half foot of fresh snow in the Madison area.
Before Martin there was Michael
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