He was Martin, He was Malcolm, He was Proud!

Airman 1st Class
Jadale J. Staten

More than forty years ago a young man dreamed of this,

Blacks and whites living together, enjoying the peacefulness.

In that same era the other was labeled absurd,

Because he ranted and raved until justice was served.

Eventually he got it, cold justice served in ice,

But it was expensive justice, sometimes life was the price.

It was the price the dreamer paid trying to explain his dream,

And the same price the other paid cause he was unruly it seemed.

The first shot by his brother, except different color and creed,

The later shot by his brother, pure jealousy indeed.

Indeed it was shocking the whole world was on pause,

But the shock woke us up and now we’re living their cause.

Because of them I can stand here and speak my mind,

And thanks to them we all grow together and no one’s left behind.

I am proud of these heroes and hope you are too,

Without them I would never get to say this to you.

And as you stand here and listen, look around amongst the crowd,

And be thankful, “He was Martin, He was Malcolm, He was proud!