Day 1: People Watch. Children of the Movement

Last night I attended a once in a lifetime event, the 90^th birthday celebration of Rev. Joseph Lowery. It really didn’t occur to me who might be in attendance until the day of and even as I was walking into the venue. I knew Stevie Wonder and a few other musical guests were going to be there but walking up to the Atlanta Symphony Hall I saw secret service outside, my mind immediately went to The President and First Lady but then I took it down a notch and realized Jimmy Carter lives here and they might be for him. But then I switched back to The President and thought maybe he sent some of his people. Well he did…Valerie Jarrett and Eric Holder to be exact. Anyway, it was an awesome musical tribute to a living part of history.

AND

I sang Happy Birthday to a 90 year old civil rights legend with Stevie Wonder playing and singing his version!

AND

I sang We Shall Overcome in a room full of people including the people who understood the true meaning of this song and through their service made it possible for me to have a better life. Rev. Joseph Lowery, Andrew Young, CT Vivian, Al Sharpton, John Lewis, the children of MLK. I’ve never been in a room with so many Civil Rights pioneers at one time and it’s not likely to happen again, actually I’m not sure how many people my age can say they’ve had the same experience. Needless to say I was moved.

So, about people watching. Living in Atlanta I’ve seen Bernice King a few times and she never seems happy. Her voice seems sad and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a true smile from her. It always seems like there is pain behind her smile, which I guess is understandable. Seems like being the child of a preacher who was also the most widely recognized Civil Rights leader has to be a gift and a curse. When her father died she was not quite 5 years old so she basically grew up without her father. When you think about it she probably got to know her father the same way I did, from books and through the stories of others. Her siblings on the other hand, probably have more of a recollection of him. I think she’s probably one of those “I just wanted a normal child hood” people. And not only is she the child of MLK but she’s also a minister so I’m sure it’s difficult to know who to trust. Attending a church led by a woman, I’m aware of the struggle of women in ministry and I hope that Bernice has a great support group of women around her. I hope she is blessed with an out of this world spirit of discernment because if I were her I’d probably be leary of the motives of most people that approach me.

Bernice King is not the only child of the civil rights so I wonder if there is some sort of “children of civil rights heroes” reunion or support group? I always hear about the sacrifices made by spouses of civil rights heroes but I’ve heard much, if anything about the lives of their children or how the movement impacted their lives. Perhaps they prefer to stay out of the lime light, but I still wonder if they ever get together and talk about their parents or if they feel the pressure to be great leaders like their parents were.