The directive from MLK Day 2012 is to be inspired.
Dr. King's Birthday card is being produced as a cyber reading of two books Computer Underground Railroad Enterprises helped publish. First is the dynamic Black history book that sets the record straight from Ancient Times to the 21st Century BLACK PEOPLE AND THEIR PLACE IN WORLD HISTORY by Dr. Leroy Vaughn, MD, MBA, Historian and, further keeping with the economic theme to the 2012 celebration HEMP FOR VICTORY: THE TRILLION DOLLAR CROP by USA Hemp Museum founder and curator Richard M. Davis.
The readings are scheduled on line for January 13-17, 2012, 10a-2p & 4p-8p PT. The structure is two four hour readings a day, one of each book, approximately 50 pages per session over a 5 day period concluding both books on Dr. King's birthday, January 17, 2011.
The idea for a cyber birthday card from the Computer Underground Railroad to Dr. King is in response to his conversation with Nichelle Nichols resulting in MLK's endorsement of Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek.
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"Actress Nichelle Nichols, who first fleshed out communications officer Lt. Uhura, is the fascinating link between the two men. As one of the first African American actresses to be cast in a major role on an American television series, Nichols was uniquely qualified to try to bring attention to the plight of Blacks in America. However, as an actress employed by the studio, she had to abide by the scripts of the show. Eventually, Nichols came to feel her part as Uhura was little more than routine, even boring. She felt the writers were more or less ignoring her, and she decided to leave Star Trek.
Soon after her decision to quit Star Trek, a fateful meeting arose between the civil rights leader and the actress. This would not only make Nichols keep her job, but it gave Gene Roddenberry's science fiction space show one of the most historic and important positive endorsements in TV history. Martin Luther King Jr. told Nichelle Nichols that she couldn't quit the show, because her being there on the bridge as Uhura made an inspirational statement about African Americans playing an important role in the future of exploration and society. Nichols rethought her decision and remained on the show."
Like Dr. King said, Black people made it to the future too. And along with the rest of the human family, are reading and shaping the information age. This is an experience in how.
Check back with this blog for updated postings.
