I have an antidote to conservative activist Glenn Beck's rally that took place yesterday on the Mall in Washington, D. C. The rally was held 47 years to the day after the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his now famous "I Have A Dream" speech (sermon) at the Lincoln Memorial. So in the spirit of rallying Americans, I have two suggestions.
First, listen to the audio of Dr. King's speech. I especially like listening only to the audio because it allows me to form a mental picture of what it must have been like that day in 1963 when King stirred the nation. King's commanding performance seems more powerful every time I listen.
Second, read Seattle author Drew Hansen's book, "The Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Speech That Inspired A Nation." Drew's book lays the groundwork for King's speech, providing interesting insight into the theological and political underpinnings. It also tells the fascinating story of the road that led to Washington and how King assembled the speech from his life's work. A great read, one that will inspire, motivate and ground the reader in King's philosophy of engagement and political action. (Watch Hansen describe and read from his book in this CSPAN video.)