Remembering Martin Luther King: David Keenan talks about how his words struck a chord

Martin Luther King is a man who’s engrained in the human psyche. I can’t remember the first time I heard about him, because he’s always been there, he’s ever present. He’s this human figure of bravery and an enigmatic voice that’s always been present for me. It’s like trying to remember the first Beatles song you heard or first saw a picture of Elvis. These icons have always been humming in the background. He’s a leader of people, a figure of strength. People marched behind him and they looked to him for guidance. He was a teacher, an incredible one of his time.

Of course I’ve heard “I Have A Dream” - it’s struck a chord with me. It’s something so simple - we all have a dream, we all have a vocation in life. But he spent all of his life working to achieve his dream, pouring everything into that. We need to look to teachers like him, so we can be inspired. Just his delivery and his voice - the power and the love and the passion. It’s something you recognise in great singers too, it cuts you to the bone.

His legacy as a passionate human being would be what I take from him most. He was fearless. I feel that we could do with some more leaders, here and around the world, to take note of what he achieved and left behind. People in the government and all - where’s the bravery, the fearlessness? The willingness to put every human being first. The world needs people like him now more than ever.

Regarding civil rights… The way you as a human being, go about your own life To be fearless and strive to better yourself. In doing that, it’s so honest and sticking to your own personal code. It’s human life and human right. And MLK carried that through with conviction. He didn’t go down the easy option. He was rational and ahead of his time. That’s why he ran into problems, he saw what others didn’t.

I’d say my favourite quote is “I Have A Dream” - that is a quote, that’s me as a kid you know? It links back to what I said earlier - to discover what your dream, your passion, your calling or location is. You need to feed it and follow it. I think if you avoid doing that in life - it’s a sin. Because you’re given one shot at this, to live your life. And not everybody follows that. It’s your mission statement. Your aisling. To not pour yourself into that is a sin. Talking about MLK really churns up the passion within… Tomorrow will act as a reminder for people to be leaders, and the need the society has for them. And the fact that anyone can have those qualities, irregardless of race or gender - I think ye’d agree. They’re needed more than ever.

Read our commemorative piece on Martin Luther King here: hotpress.com/politics/wholehog