Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Karen: In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we'd like to share a scene from Fantastic Four 119 (January 1972), which both Doug and I read as kids and found to be very affecting.



























Doug: Stan Lee never shied away from making a statement, whether within the stories he wrote or approved, or within the context of his Stan Lee's Soapbox. To your left is just one example. I'm grateful to Stan for assisting in my education on these issues back when I was just a child.

Karen: Agreed. The ideals Marvel expressed regarding racial equality echoed the teachings of my parents, who taught me to respect all people. As I got older, I learned of the history of the civil rights movement and it was difficult to understand how such injustice had ever occurred.

Doug: Perhaps you have the day off from work, or maybe your kids are out of school. In spite of the fact that it may be inconvenient to not be able to mail a letter or use your bank, take a moment to reflect on the reason why -- today we honor a man who was willing to more than stick his neck out for what was right, and we're better for his sacrifice. Seventy years ago, Adolf Hitler couldn't wait to make war on the United States, a nation he saw as racially-diluted and weak. I'd like to think that what he saw as our weakness is in reality one of the things that makes this nation great.

Karen: Our great appreciation to Dr. King, and all the courageous people who have fought for true equality and justice in our country.



"Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent. " - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.