I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.
—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As I type these words, I am listening to the Inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. The oldest public official is being sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. Alongside him, the first woman takes the oath of Vice President, but not only that, she is the first African-American and Asian-American elected to the Executive Branch. Incredible. Ground-breaking. And I wonder how proud Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have been at this unique moment in American history.
But also, I am crafting this post just two days after the national holiday honoring this American Baptist minister and Civil Rights Leader from Atlanta, Georgia who won the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize for his commitment to advocating and embodying non-violence during an era, like today, of social unrest.
This photograph (courtesy of Getty Images) and one of several in this illuminating article by The Sun. I urge you to learn more about this paragon of peace, as his message was and remains one of unity, compassion, faith, and a relentless pursuit of equality for all. I hope today marks an American trudge—nay, a march—in the direction of these virtues.
On a personal note, as our six-month-year-old bounces joyfully in her Jolly Jumper and my wife revels in researching permaculture practices to aid her development of a food forest on a small piece of land within the city limits, I spend my day off eagerly awaiting the legal counsel of my brother, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison’s prestigious law program. Of the two recent stories I’ve been writing, one (“The Red Ensign”) is based on a vivid dream that I awoke from long after midnight, and the other (“Arcanum Involvolus”) takes inspiration from some beloved relations, playing out across four parts—including the courtroom speech of an impassioned attorney. Slowly but surely, these stories will come to fruition.
Finally, I conclude with how I began. This post’s title, “Hail to the King, Baby” is not only in observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day but also pays homage to a line spoken by Army of Darkness protagonist Ash Williams (which was subsequently borrowed for use of the equally sardonic video game character, Duke Nukem.
Take care as you look for the light in your life, strive for happiness through the pursuit of your dreams, and treat others as you would care to be treated.
Yours in R’lyeh,
Tony LaMalfa
Tony LaMalfa 