The attacker, Izola Curry, was an unlikely suspect. She was an elegant, middle-aged black woman, yet her mental health was in disarray. Curry was a paranoid schizophrenic who had been battling her mental illness for years. In her befuddled state, she became convinced that Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. and the NAACP were conspiring with the communists against her. For King, however, the attack was a sign of a much larger issue. As we commemorate his memory and legacy 63 years after his death, the story of the near-fatal attack offers some uncomfortable parallels with today's United States.
The rhetoric about race, mental illness, and the danger of radicalized beliefs is still present in our national discourse, just as it was in 1958. We can all learn something from King's capacity to find a catalyst for positive change even in the darkest of places. One of my first blog posts was titled “The True Meaning of Life is to Plant Trees Under Whose Shade You Don't Expect to Sit”. A person begins to comprehend the true meaning of life when they plant a tree knowing they will never sit in its shade. Loving parents can think calmly and practically about a world in which they will not take part directly; they plant acorns with good humor so their grandchildren can find shelter from the sun among the wide oak trees of the future.
Someone once praised the optimism of the old Greek peasant who planted olive trees even though they took 20 years to bear fruit (Virgil's “Tarde Crescentis Olivae”). A person has started to uncover the meaning of life when they plant trees knowing full well that they will never sit in its shade. The act of planting trees for future generations is an act of selflessness and hope. It is a way to leave a lasting legacy and make a positive impact on our world.
It is an expression of love and care for those who come after us, and it is an acknowledgement that our actions today will shape our future tomorrow. Planting trees is also an act of faith in humanity's ability to create a better world for future generations. It is a reminder that we are all connected and that our actions have consequences beyond our own lives. It is a way to show our commitment to creating a more sustainable future for all living things on this planet.
The act of planting trees is also an act of humility and gratitude. It is an acknowledgement that we are part of something bigger than ourselves and that we are responsible for taking care of our planet and its inhabitants. It is an expression of appreciation for all that nature has given us and a reminder that we must do our part to ensure its continued health and prosperity.