Thoughts on freedom...

150 years ago, Abraham Lincoln delivered a message to congress that became the foundation for the Emancipation Proclamation. 101 years later, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a speech that referenced that Proclamation and is now known as the "I have a dream speech". 31 years after that, an episode of a tv show called Babylon 5 was aired on national television which references that original message Lincoln delivered 150 years ago. 2 nights ago, I watched that episode of Babylon 5. This morning, one of my instructors played Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech at the beginning of class.

I think it is no coincidence these messages keep resurfacing year after year, decade after decade, century after century. And, I think it is no coincidence that these messages made themselves known (again) to me, here, now, at exactly this time.

The phrases that speak loudly in my mind from these speeches below are: 
(AL) We can succeed only by concert. It is not "can any of us imagine better?" but, "can we all do better?"
(MLK) 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.
(B5/AL) We cannot escape history. We will be remembered in spite of ourselves. 

I see these words ringing true (*still*) not only in reference to the racial inequality many have endured in this country for centuries, but also in reference to the inequalities and injustices suffered all over the world. These could be references to humanity as a whole. And, in our present world, could be abstracted as a plea from earth herself. 

The solutions we seek for the current state we find ourselves in, are imbedded in these speeches...and reiterated, over, and over, and over again.

Are we listening yet?

* * *
Washington, D.C.
December 1, 1862
Abraham Lincoln

One month before signing the Emancipation Proclamation, President Lincoln sent a long message to Congress which was largely routine, but also proposed controversial measures such as voluntary colonization of slaves and compensated emancipation.

Lincoln devoted so much attention to preparing the message that his friend David Davis said, "Mr. Lincoln's whole soul is absorbed in his plan of remunerative emancipation." The concluding paragraphs shown below demonstrate Lincoln's passion for this plan and contain some of the most famous statements he ever wrote. Composer Aaron Copeland used excerpts in his evocative "Lincoln Portrait."

I do not forget the gravity which should characterize a paper addressed to the Congress of the nation by the Chief Magistrate of the nation. Nor do I forget that some of you are my seniors, nor that many of you have more experience than I, in the conduct of public affairs. Yet I trust that in view of the great responsibility resting upon me, you will perceive no want of respect yourselves, in any undue earnestness I may seem to display.

Is it doubted, then, that the plan I propose, if adopted, would shorten the war, and thus lessen its expenditure of money and of blood? Is it doubted that it would restore the national authority and national prosperity, and perpetuate both indefinitely? Is it doubted that we here--Congress and Executive--can secure its adoption? Will not the good people respond to a united, and earnest appeal from us? Can we, can they, by any other means, so certainly, or so speedily, assure these vital objects? We can succeed only by concert. It is not "can any of us imagine better?" but, "can we all do better?" The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise -- with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.

Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation. We say we are for the Union. The world will not forget that we say this. We know how to save the Union. The world knows we do know how to save it. We -- even we here -- hold the power, and bear the responsibility. In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free -- honorable alike in what we give, and what we preserve. We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best hope of earth. Other means may succeed; this could not fail. The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just -- a way which, if followed, the world will forever applaud, and God must forever bless.

* * *
Washington, D.C.
28 August 1963
Martin Luther King, Jr.

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.
(...)
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.
(...)
We cannot walk alone.
And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.
We cannot turn back.
(...)
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.
(...)
(view full speech here)

* * *
Babylon 5 - Season 2 (aired on national television)
2 November 1994
Sheridan's "Good Luck" speech

"It was an early Earth president, Abraham Lincoln, who best described our situation. The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate for the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise to the occasion. We cannot escape history. We will be remembered in spite of ourselves. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the last generation. We shall nobly save or meanly lose our last, best hope of Earth."