The King Holiday, which celebrates the life and work
of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is to me, and the majority of Americans
of African decent, the most special non-religious holiday we observe. Please do
not be offended. I have traveled the world and know without a doubt the United
States is the best country to be from and return to, and I celebrate the Forth
of July with the greatest of pride. Look for me at this years parade downtown,
I’ll have at least 2 American Flags.
However, as a person that started school in that old
segregated South (1965), and remembers that in my hometown of Conyers, GA., and
throughout the Southern States, there were two sets of schools in most
communities. One for the white students
that many times had a primary school (K through third), then elementary (fourth
through sixth), junior high (seventh and eighth), before the white students
went to the county named high school. On our side of town, the black students
(yes, we were called black, Negro before that, colored in the late 1940’s to
mid 50’s, I will not even say what African American were referred to by some
whites in the deep south before they used the term colored) had one school
First grade through twelfth. Over crowed, sometimes the heat worked, second
hand books, a second hand school. My older siblings, Eddie Jr., Laura, Regina
and Jeffery remember in greater detail how difficult life was for non white
kids during the 1960’s. But, I do remember the colored and white drinking
fountains. I remember having to sit upstairs at the movies. I remember never
being able to eat inside McDonalds, Burger King or the local restaurant. I will
be 46 next week and those memories still hurt. I have been asked often through
out my career how can a famous chef go to fast food places? With my history,
how could I not?
Dr. King’s dream was to see black children and white
children walk hand in hand. My boys are
black and white (biracial). They have great friends that are white and others
that are African American. Dr. King led the civil rights movement through
nonviolent protest. On my last visit to the King Center in Atlanta, GA, I
picked up a plaque that contains the “Six Principles of Non Violence”. I’d like to share them with you today.1:
Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people. 2: Nonviolence seeks to win
friendship and understanding. 3: Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice not
people.4: Nonviolence holds that suffering can educate and transform. 5:
Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate.
6: Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the
side of justice.
The King Holiday is so special and important because
it lets the world know in America that if you work for the better of other, no
matter what the color of your skin, this Great Country honors that.
I have put in several calls to the King Center. I
wanted to ask what were some of Dr. King’s favorite foods. As of deadline no
return call, but it is King week. I’ll be ready next year. Well, being a
southern boy and preacher, I’m sure the Rev. Dr. sampled many a fried Chicken.
12 pieces of chicken, washed and cleaned
2 cups of all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
4 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon pepper
1 tablespoon paprika
2 cups of corn oil
Sift all dry items together. Dip each piece of chicken in milk and then
coat in the flour mixture. Allow oil to get hot in cast iron skillet. When the oil is hot, place chicken pieces in
and cook until golden brown. To test
the doneness, poke a fork through the pieces of chicken and make sure the juice
runs clear.
Peace Out