YOUR ROLE IN KING’S LEGACY
COVER STORY—In January 2017, Americans find the new president verbally attacking U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a national hero of the civil rights movement and friend of the late Dr. King. (Here is author Daniel Buttry’s inspiring profile of Lewis’s activism beginning with the Freedom Riders.) The new president also has canceled a King-day visit that would have shone a global spotlight on the new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
After a decade of publishing inspiring stories about peacefully building healthy communities—it is clear, here at ReadTheSpirit, that Dr. King’s legacy depends on millions of ordinary Americans actively deciding to carry forward King’s values. So, to honor and promote King’s legacy, we offer these helpful resources to read—and to share with friends:
Please, share these stories …
- THE HOLIDAY—Stephanie Fenton’s popular Holidays column explains the background of this national observance and includes helpful links to further reading.
- KING’S LEGACY—International peacemaker and author Daniel Buttry wrote this tribute to King’s life and work.
- 5 MOVIES FOR THE HOLIDAY—Faith-and-film columnist Ed McNulty compiled this short list of five films that offer fascinating perspectives on King’s life and work. In this newly published list, Ed suggests movies you might not immediately remember. In addition, here is Ed’s review of the most frequently recommended King movie, the superb 2014 film Selma.
- MORE ON JOHN LEWIS—One way Lewis is reaching out to young people with the message of civil rights is through graphic novels. Here’s a 2013 column we published about the first volume in what is now a series of novels by Lewis. (Note: This column also has an update with links to the other two volumes in the series.)
- DAY OF SERVICE—Among Lewis’s many campaigns promoting civil rights was one effort that led to the creation of a National MLK Day of Service. Here is the link to the official U.S. website for Day of Service.
- FEED THE SPIRIT—Desiree Cooper wrote this column about one of the desserts Dr. King enjoyed: Sweet Potato Pie (and, yes, there’s a delicious recipe, too)!
- GO TO A PARK—If you live near a National Park, King Day means free admission to many of our best-loved locations. Here is the National Park Service’s list of participating locations; and, here’s a list of all the occasions this year that the Park Service is offering free admissions.
.
.
WHY WE MUST RESPOND
KITTY GENOVESE REMEMBERED—PBS soon will broadcast a remarkable, moving documentary about the infamous New York murder of Kitty Genovese in the 1960s. Headlines about the murder circled the globe because of “38 witnesses” who were aware of the attack and yet refused to help. David Crumm reviews the documentary and explains why it’s such a great discussion starter right now.
.
.
GOD SIGNS
YOUNG RABBI FIND HER CALLING—You may be surprised that Suzy Farbman’s inspiring GodSigns column this week starts with a story of a young woman seeking her calling in life—and ends with a message very much in keeping with the emphasis on King’s legacy this week. Please, enjoy this story about Rabbi Megan Brudney.
.
.
.
REMEMBERING THE HOLOCAUST
UNITED NATIONS APPEAL—The older Yom Hashoah memorial comes later each year, but it is also helpful, now, that countries around the world start 2017 by remembering the Holocaust—pledging to be vigilant. Columnist Stephanie Fenton has the story.
CHECK OUT ALL THE 2017 OBSERVANCES—It’s as simple as visiting www.InterfaithHolidays.org where you’ll find all of 2017’s major observances listed. Plus—right now, we’re inviting readers to look over that new calendar and alert us, please, if you spot an occasion we’ve missed.
.
.
FILM, FAITH
& POPULAR CULTURE
ED McNULTY—Enjoy all of the free resources from Ed McNulty’s faith-and-film website: VisualParables.org. In addition, please consider supporting Ed’s ongoing work by subscribing to his long-running magazine, Visual Parables Journal. Widely used by clergy, teachers and individuals who want to reflect on the spiritual themes in movies, the new January 2017 issue is packed with complete study guides.
Among Ed’s latest movie reviews are:
- FENCES—Denzel Washington and Viola Davis make August Wilson’s Tony-Award-winning play a terrific movie! (5 out of 5 stars)
- JACKIE—Natalie Portman may not look exactly like Jackie Kennedy, but her performance is terrific. 5 out of 5 stars. Don’t miss this film, says Ed McNulty. AND—If you want to look back at that painful moment that transfixed the entire world, Ed also recommends the gripping 2013 movie Parkland as well as the unusual and stirring 1992 film Love Field.
- LION—Apparently based on a true story, this is a remarkable adventure concerning an Indian boy who gets lost and winds up in Australia. (4.5 stars)
- THE EAGLE HUNTRESS—Also 4 stars for this fascinating documentary from Asia.
- HIDDEN FIGURES—Don’t miss this terrific movie about African-American women long forgotten in the NASA story. (5 stars)
- LA LA LAND—Ed gives the hit musical 5 stars. A must see for the holiday season!
- ROGUE ONE—Go see it, says Ed. This is a great new edition to the Star Wars saga. (4.5 stars)
- ARRIVAL—One of the best science fiction films in quite a while, says Ed. (5 stars)
- LOVING—Ed praises this film, based on the real-life civil rights case of an interracial marriage in the 1950s. (5 stars)
- A MONSTER CALLS—It’s great. Don’t mistake this for just another “kid’s movie.” (5 stars)
.
.
.
.
..
.
..
