What a great pleasure and give of respect and honor in observance of our Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. And. Now. I will make my commentary of Langston Hughes and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. From reading TheConversation.com article titled Langston Hughes hidden influence on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I will read out to you a little about what I've read. The article reads, for some years Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and poet Langston Hughes kept a friendship, exchanging letters and favors and even they both traveled to Nigeria together in 1960. In 1956, Dr. King recited Hughes poem titled, "Mother to Son" from the pulpit in honor of his wife Coretta, during the celebration of her first Mother's Day. That same year, Hughes wrote a poem about Dr. King and the bus boycott titled, "Brotherly Love." During many speeches of the civil rights movement, Dr. King, never publicly uttered the poet's name. Nor did the reverend overtly invoke the poets words. Although. Hughes was one of the Harlem Renaissance's leading poets, with a master of words. Yes. Hughes was a master of words. And. Now. With a further a due. In more honor of Dr. King. I will read, "Brotherly Love" by Langston Hughes-In line of what my folks say in Montgomery. In line of what they're teaching about love. When I reach out my hand, will you take it-. Or cut it off and leave a nub above? If I found it in my heart to love you. And if I thought I really could. If I said, "Brother, I forgive you," I wonder, would it do you any good? So long, so long a time you've been calling. Me all kinds of names, pushing me down-. I been swimming with my head deep under water. And you wished I would stay under till I drown. But I didn't! I'm still swimming! Now you're. Mad. Because I won't ride in the back end of your bus. When I answer, "Anyhow, I'm gonna love you," Still and yet you want to make a fuss. The End. And. I would like to say. Thank-you. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
