Singing Freedom on MLK’s Bridge
Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day; for most the first chance to fire up the grill after December snows. For others, a chance to stand up to current injustices and pronounce a new Kingdom economy in the United States of America.
In Abilene, there is a large bridge that crosses HWY 80 over a large, undeveloped, wooded lot. Nearby there is an abandoned energy plant with busted windows, teetering smoke stacks, and weed-smothered fences. I know that about 350 homeless frequent this “Hobo Jungle” as the locals call it. Many of its inhabitants are children. A little village of the mentally ill, socially discarded, and abused live right underneath and around one of the busiest bridges in the city.
This bridge has two names:
1. The Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge
2. The “Singing Bridge”
Why the “Singing Bridge”? It got this nickname because of the rivets in the street to help drain the rainwater off the bridge. These rivets, as tires drive over them, create a “hum” that sounds eerily like a choir of human voices singing.
What in all of this might God be saying to his people in Abilene? What obvious (or unfortunately, not so obvious) connection might there be in these circumstances?
MLK was a saint - “an incarnated capsule of the Kingdom” that I talk about in this post - I imagine his cries for freedom and justice and equality in this land, and I mourn. I see such devastating prejudice, such insurmountable inequality, and I wonder if MLK failed completely. I wonder if anyone can see or is willing to do anything about the irony of the situation on HWY 80’s “Singing Bridge”.
On Martin Luther King Day, how will we spend it? I know that every year there is a small parade that march across the MLK bridge. Maybe I’ll go this year. Only maybe I won’t just walk over the top of the bridge, but head down underneath it - and meet someone new…maybe Martin Luther King himself.
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January 18th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Good words.
Local poet Sam Pendergrast wrote a poem of note about that bridge:
“Sonnet Towards Ennobling an MLK Bridge”
(for Abileneans who venerate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., despite contrary local official indications)
It had to be a joke: to mark a bridge
Of honor twixt a sewer plant and junkyard
With lip service to 400 years of carnage
To nurture words “You count” that sprouted so hard.
Oh, those who’ve been to the mountaintop with Martin
Know that someday we all shall overcome
When blind allegiance to Only Usism’s departing
And racists are finally struck appropriately dumb.
And as Viet Walls create their own emotions,
We’ll ennoble the MLK Bridge with our devotion.
Instead of cursing bigotry, let us start
With flowers and notes and tokens from the heart.
But take care: Catclaw Abilene near here
Grew up to see itself as Cristendom’s bier.
*August 19, 1993
January 19th, 2008 at 2:14 am
Good post it was very relevant and easy to read.
January 19th, 2008 at 2:17 am
In all honesty I needed to hear your perceptions of the injustice in our city. It is everywhere. I struggle alot with seeing the difference between a man who won’t work and many others who are homeless becuase of our own injust systems.
January 19th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Good poem…
It’s interesting how a man as dangerous and prophetic as MLK has turned into a sterilized holiday icon. The other day I saw his disembodied head floating over a graphic of Monday’s extended forecast. They did the same thing with the Easter Bunny and a Jack-o-lantern for their holidays.
The disrespect that MLK receives on a “his day” makes me wonder if holding a holiday and building bridges, etc devoted to him is the best thing this nation could’ve done to honor him. It seems this only neuters his message. Actually, this reminds me of what happened with CHRISTianity…
January 19th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Sean,
Welcome! Can you tell me a bit about yourself? I’m gonna guess that everyone reading this has struggled with what to do with the guy with a sign on the street corner. How can we be followers of Christ and not care that someone is out peddling for coins?
In small and big ways, I’ve gotten to know many of the poor and/or homeless here in Abilene, and I’ve learned that for me, I have to take their situation one person at a time. I cannot assume that if I don’t give money to one guy, I won’t for the next. It’s not a perfect systematic solution, but it feels more “spirit led” I suppose. What have you done about it in the past?
January 20th, 2008 at 12:22 am
by the way - the MLK Abilene march is happening at 2pm at the bridge this monday. FYI
April 5th, 2008 at 12:34 am
[...] worst of all, King’s message has message has been tamed, and his memory is confined to the naming of bridges and streets - many of which subtly demarcate boundaries of class and [...]