TUPATALK: Trying to understand the full meaning of the day

Toward the end of the incredible 1963 movie “Judgement at Nuremberg,” the chief judge, played by Spencer Tracy, makes what I believe is an observation that transcends film making.

“A country isn’t a rock,” he said. “It’s not an extension of one’s self. It’s what it stands for. It’s what it stands for when standing for something is the most difficult. … this is what we stand for: Justice, truth and the value of a single human being.”

Next Monday, the legacy of Martin Luther King once again still take center stage.

The holiday named in his honor celebrates more than his achievements — it recognizes the quest in that generation, and the generations leading up to it, to break down segregation and for people of different races to see themselves as brothers and sisters, children of God.

He detested violence as a vehicle for change, knowing that violence never changes hearts and always leads to greater violence.

He sought for non-violent change in attitudes, in tolerance, in understanding and in brotherhood.

Not that he wasn’t controversial, or that he lacked the force of will.

The marches he led were meant to put pressure on states and the federal government to expand through statue to voting rights of all Americans and as a boost to the civil rights movement.

Some might call his message of nonviolent protest as merely a strategy to attract more widespread support.

But, I honestly believe the man really hated violence.

He also put a spotlight on the Declaration of Independence as a shining beacon.

In one speech, after quoting from the section about all men being created equal and endowed with rights, he made the statement: “This is the dream.”

He emphasized the rights belonged automatically to every individual.

Any great movement, like a river, spurs a dozen offshoots, whirlpools and rocky shoals.

For whatever human flaws he might have had, Dr. King did the best he could to do the right thing the right way.

I appreciate a line from the movie “Carousel” when a king has just died and someone asks the school teacher of his children if he was as good a king as he could have been.

“No man is as good a king as he could have been,” she answered. “But, this one tried.”

I feel the ultimate respect for his goal for bring people off all races together in a common circle of humanity, without regard to color or ancestry.

I respect his courage in maintaining a firm hand to keep his movement peaceful. Even though we didn’t agree politically on some issues, I have ultimate respect for his fight for justice, quality and brotherhood

I appreciate his thought in his “I have a dream” speech about the day when all people will be judged “by the content of their character.”

As I reflect on the tenor of those times — a few memories spring out.

I was 12 years old and had a paper route at the time he was shot. I remember the next day a non-customer trying to buy one of my papers. He was quite insistent, but I didn’t have any extra issues.

A few years earlier, my mom arrived in a car at my sister’s school to pick her up. She noticed a crowd of little kids mobbed together and walked over to check it out. To her surprise, in the middle of the circle was my sister and a little black classmate, who I believe was new.

Some of the other girls had made fun of her and my sister stood by her and screamed at the foolish girls to shut up.

Perhaps it’s been one-on-one experiences like these that have helped to try to bring Dr. King’s vision closer to reality of the value of a single human being.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: TupaTalk: A look at holiday