So I started this one a while ago, and just finished it. It’s a little bit of an unorthodox portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King. Here’s the story. I was reading one of Christopher Hitchens’ books, and he mentioned that Dr. King apparently had weakness for booze and biddies, despite being a pastor and married. This assertion kind of caught me off guard so I decided to check him on it. As it turns out, Hitchens’ assertion was well founded. If you don’t believe me, go ahead an Google it. I’m actually glad to have someone like Dr. King humanized a little bit. Often times, when someone is elevated to the status of “national hero,” they’re considered as almost more-than-human. I personally find this discouraging because it implies that there was something inherently special about Dr. King beyond his actions, that he was somehow made differently, and that’s why he was able to accomplish the things he did. Learning of his humanity doesn’t dilute the power of the things he did, but rather applies an added responsibility to the rest of us. If Dr. King is not superhuman, and not inherently special and in possession of some clear faults, then the rest of us are fully capable of accomplishing great things to the same magnitude. A King is still a human, just like everyone else. Get out there and be regal for the greater good.

So I started this one a while ago, and just finished it. It’s a little bit of an unorthodox portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Here’s the story. I was reading one of Christopher Hitchens’ books, and he mentioned that Dr. King apparently had weakness for booze and biddies, despite being a pastor and married. This assertion kind of caught me off guard so I decided to check him on it. As it turns out, Hitchens’ assertion was well founded. If you don’t believe me, go ahead an Google it.

I’m actually glad to have someone like Dr. King humanized a little bit. Often times, when someone is elevated to the status of “national hero,” they’re considered as almost more-than-human. I personally find this discouraging because it implies that there was something inherently special about Dr. King beyond his actions, that he was somehow made differently, and that’s why he was able to accomplish the things he did. Learning of his humanity doesn’t dilute the power of the things he did, but rather applies an added responsibility to the rest of us. If Dr. King is not superhuman, and not inherently special and in possession of some clear faults, then the rest of us are fully capable of accomplishing great things to the same magnitude.

A King is still a human, just like everyone else. Get out there and be regal for the greater good.