Morton Broffman, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. arrives in Montgomery, Alabama on March 25th 1965 at the culmination of the Selma to Montgomery March, 1965, silver gelatin print.
When I write about photographs, I typically discuss the work of art, or the object, but today I want to write about an image.
This is an image of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. leading thousands of demonstrators from Selma, Alabama to the steps of the state capitol in Montgomery. The 5-day, 54-mile march was part of a campaign to establish voting rights for all Americans. Those participating in the demonstration required the protection of Alabama Federal Guardsmen and FBI agents because it was extremely dangerous to participate in the peaceful protest.
In this photograph, taken on March 25, 1965, the last day of the march, several people in the demonstration are looking toward their right to see what caused a loud noise that sounded like an explosion. By contrast, Rev. King stares straight ahead, resolute and undeterred. He continues to march.
This Thanksgiving, I will raise a glass to Rev. King and his example. I also will toast the American Founding Fathers who authored the Constitution, establishing the three branches of government that ensure checks and balances so that no one individual or group has concentrated power. I also will be thankful to our Founding Fathers for ensuring individual freedoms in the Constitution, as with the First Amendment and our freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful that I have the opportunity to show my children how to stand up for themselves and for their fellow Americans of all races, religions, genders, and sexual orientations. And we will do this together, looking forward, moving one step at a time.
Happy Thanksgiving from The Art Minute
