"I Have a Dream" is a public speech that was delivered by American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963, in which he called for civil and economic rights and an end to racism in the United States. Delivered to over 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the speech was a defining moment of the civil rights movement and among the most iconic speeches in American history.
Under the applicable copyright laws, the speech will remain under copyright in the United States until 70 years after King's death, through 2038.
Sorry for audio-video sync problem"
(above is the accompanying note on the "Rare Facts" YouTube channel)
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"... but we would dishonor those heroes as well to suggest that the work of this nation is somehow complete. The arc of the moral universe may bend towards justice, but it doesn't bend on its own ..."
(President Barack Obama)
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Early this morning, the words "free at last" appeared in my thoughts and led to this post.
At the beginning of April 2020, a few days before the anniversary of the day Martin Luther King, Jr., was murdered in 1968, I woke up from a horrific nightmare of mindless violence which included abject isolation and fear. We all have dreams of freedom, and we all have unspeakable nightmares. During these past months, it is a series of nightmares that have shown me what I cannot ignore when I am awake.
Some dreams and nightmares are over. Some follow us into all of our waking moments. We do not have to live in fear. This morning I remembered this message, also from Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1968:
"... And then I got into Memphis, and some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out of what would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers. Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place, but I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will, and He's allowed me to go up to the mountain, and I've looked over and I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the Promised Land. So 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."
Our religion is the traditions of our ancestors - the dreams of our old men, given them in solemn hours of the night by the Great Spirit; and the visions of our sachems, and is written in the hearts of our people.
Our religion is the traditions of our ancestors -- the dreams of our old men, given them in the solemn hours of night by the Great Spirit; and the visions of our sachems, and is written in the hearts of our people. (Chief Seattle, SUQUAMISH)
Our spiritual ways have carefully been given to chosen people. Slowly, through our past generations, through past conflicts, our Elders prayed for guidance, which the Creator provided. Then it was passed down to the next generation through culture, ceremony and oral traditions. Our Indian religion has been tested and is about how we should behave and treat other people, animals, and earth. This knowledge is written in the heart of every person. We can find this knowledge by looking inside ourselves.
My Creator, today, when conflict occurs, I will look inside myself for the answers.
(March 24, from Meditations with Native American Elders: The Four Seasons, by Don Coyhis, p. 5)
The following is from the Lummi Indian Business Council: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 22, 2020 Community Update Siam e ne schaleche siam My dear people, as we expected, today the Lummi Indian Business Council accepted the Lummi
Public Health Team's recommendation and unanimously passed a Shelter in Place resolution
(Reso #2020-055). This resolution is in response to mitigating the COVID-19 crisis by providing
a mandate for all individuals living on the Lummi Indian Reservation to shelter in place. The
resolution takes effect today, March 22, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. and will remain in place until April
5, 2020, 11:59 p.m. Please do not panic; we are prepared for this. Be assured that certain
fundamental activities will still be allowed. Individuals may travel from their homes to: Provide or receive certain essential services, like taking care of family members or to
obtain medical services; Engage in certain essential activities such as going to get groceries, medications, fishing,
hunting and gathering; and Work for essential businesses, essential infrastructure, and vital LIBC functions. LIBC will continue to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the Nation during this Shelter
in Place Order. Commodities and the student lunch programs will continue and the Lummi MiniMart and the Cove store will remain open to serve the community.
All LIBC employees will be contacted by your direct supervisor with direction regarding your
work schedule. We recognize that this shelter in place order may cause confusion. Our objective is to take every
measure and to ensure the health and safety of our families during this COVID-19 pandemic. We
love our people. This resolution is a mandate for our people and families to stay home. It further
emphasizes the necessity to protect our elders and youth and prohibits all gatherings of
individuals within the Lummi Reservation. When it is necessary for you to leave your home please practice good Social Distancing, take
great care to protect our elders, and Wash your hands frequently. We cannot stress enough the
value of each and every one of our Lummi members. Please join us in taking every precaution to
mitigate the impacts of the great flood of this virus that becomes more of a threat to our
community every day. Please stay home. Clarifying information about the Shelter in Place Order will be released this evening. For more
information please visit our LIBC websites or our outlets. It is important to have Sxwolowen at this time, one heart and one mind and one spirit for the work.
Che Shesh Whe Wheleq Sen – we come from survivors of the great flood.
Sqweshent-lh tse Xwlemi Elhta-lng-exw – we protect the Lummi People Hy’shqe Siam ne shcaleche siam Hyshqe xwian ne quol quol Chairman Lawrence Solomon
(Note: The following is from the Shelter in Place Order and is am's addition)
1. Background.
Today we are in the same position as our ancestors when the
Great Flood arrived. Like our ancestors, we are doing everything possible to
ensure that our children have everything they need in their canoes to survive. We
want to make it clear that our children need the teachings from their elders; we
refuse to give up any of our elders during this flood. On March 3, 2020, the LIBC
declared a State of Public Health Emergency due to the novel infectious
coronavirus (COVID-19). COVID-19 may cause respiratory disease leading to
serious illness or death. The World Health Organization considers COVID-19 to
be a global pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
reports COVID-19 is the most contagious when the person is most symptomatic,
but may spread before symptoms appear. The Lummi Tribal Health Center has
been actively monitoring the spread of COVID-19 and recommending self quarantine to individuals that may have been exposed to COVID-19. However,
the number of potential contacts with COVID-19 has grown exponentially that the
Lummi Nation must order shelter in place to protect the Lummi community.
2. Intent.
The intent of this Order is to mitigate the impacts of the great flood of this
virus that has already reached our community. To be successful we absolutely
need your help. We need all Lummi people and all Lummi residents to be leaders
and ensure the safety of our vulnerable populations. The maximum number of
people must shelter in their places of residence to the maximum extent feasible,
while enabling essential services to continue, to slow the spread of COVID-19 to
the maximum extent possible. When people need to leave their places of
residence, whether to obtain or perform vital services, or to otherwise facilitate
authorized activities necessary for continuity of social and commercial life, they
should at all times possible comply with Social Distancing Requirements as
defined below. All provisions of this Order shall be interpreted to effectuate the
expressed intent. Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this Order
constitutes an imminent threat and creates an immediate menace to public. Violations of this Order could subject a person to criminal penalties
and/or civil fines.
How can I be useful, of what service can I be? There is something inside me, what can it be? -- Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)
Welcome to "37TH DREAM (RUMORS OF PEACE)".
The photograph currently at the top of my blog was taken from my porch before sunrise on October 29, 2023.
"OLD GIRL OF THE NORTH COUNTRY" (the earliest name for my blog -- http://oldgirlfromthenorthcountry.blogspot.com
) came to life in early December of 2006 so that I could post a 42-year retrospective of my paintings and drawings and through that action, create a new relationship with the day the man I loved returned from Vietnam in December 1970. For a while (sometime after spring of 2008, which is when he died) my blog was "TALKING 37TH DREAM WITH RAINBOW (RUMORS OF PEACE)". For a number of years, it's been "TALKING 37TH DREAM (RUMORS OF PEACE)." As of April 12, 2017 my blog was titled "37TH DREAM / TALKING 37TH DREAM (RUMORS OF PEACE/LOOKING UP)". Somewhere along the way it became 37TH DREAM (RUMORS OF PEACE).
To begin viewing the retrospective with narrative, scroll down to December 8, 2006, on this page:
I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant. -- Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968)
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware. -- Martin Buber (1878-1965)
It is only a little planet, but how beautiful it is.
-- Robinson Jeffers
The true end of a war is the rebirth of life; the right to die peacefully in your own bed. The true end of war is the end of fear; the true end of war is the return of laughter.
-- Alfred Molano
Enjoy every sandwich -- Warren Zevon (1947-2003)
Not in God's wilds will you ever hear the sad moan, "All is vanity." No, we are paid a thousand times for all our toil, and after a single day spent outdoors in their atmosphere of strength and beauty, one could still say, should death come — even without any hope of another life — "Thank you for this most glorious gift!" and pass on.
-- John Muir (1838-1914)
Philip Henslowe: Mr. Fennyman, allow me to explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster. Hugh Fennyman: So what do we do? Philip Henslowe: Nothing. Strangely enough, it all turns out well. Hugh Fennyman: How? Philip Henslowe: I don't know. It's a mystery.
