A Message from Mayor Stimpson - January 18
Jan 18th, 2021
Good evening,
It is 7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 18, and I am writing to give you an update from the City of Mobile.
Today, the Mobile County Health Department reports 30,515 COVID-19 cases, an increase of 163 cases. To review the most recent detailed report from MCHD, click here.
Today we celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who would have turned 92 last Friday. His “I Have a Dream” speech is often cited when remembering Dr. King because it is his most well known and arguably his most impactful. However, I have always found great value in the wisdom he left with a group of students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia on October 26, 1967.
Dr. King told these students to build a solid “blueprint” for their young lives much like an architect draws plans for a new building. First, he told them to begin their blueprint from a place of strong self-worth, or as he put it: “a deep belief in your own dignity, your worth and your own somebodiness.”
He told them to find their life’s work and strive for excellence no matter what that work was — a point that was best illustrated in a section that has become another one of Dr. King’s famous quotes.
“If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.”
Finally, Dr. King told these young people to commit to the eternal principles of “Beauty, love and justice.” His words 54 years ago ring true today-cast your vision, make a plan and go for it! Almost eight years ago, we cast a bold vision to become a safer, more business and family friendly city. Together we have created a plan and continue to execute to achieve our vision.
Today’s passage in Grace for the Moment was a nice companion to Dr. King’s writings and orations. Author Max Lucado writes, “If you want to see a miracle, plant a word of love, appreciation or encouragement into someone’s life. “Nurture it with a smile and a prayer and watch it grow.”
Reading that, I am reminded of all the seeds of love and encouragement Dr. King sowed into our world. As you go to sleep tonight, think about the seeds you can sow tomorrow. You too can make the world a better place to live.
Sleep tight,
Sandy Stimpson