Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Reverend Dr. King led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his death by assassination in 1968. His famous “I have a dream” speech, delivered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. is remembered, read, and recited by people all over the country

On the third Monday of January, the United States observes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as an official federal holiday.

The Reverend Dr. King led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his death by assassination in 1968. His famous “I have a dream” speech, delivered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., is remembered, read, and recited by people worldwide on the anniversary of his birth.

"I have a dream"
Plaque honoring “I have a dream” speech by Dr. King

“Martin Luther King’s commitment to nonviolent advocacy,  coupled with service, won the hearts and minds of many Americans. King’s public and civil advocacy,coupled with a willingness to serve the most vulnerable, brought genuine transformation.

Though he did not possess all the markers of power, he brought doctoral-level training and broad cultural experience to his philosophical personalism and commitment to dignity of all people…as America’s most effective prophet…his  movement’s power was not in its social location but rather in its gospel commitment to truth, love and service. “

Gabriel Salguero,president of the National  Latino Evangelical Coalition, writing in Christianity Today ,November 2015

Martin Luther King Jr. at Biography.com

“King won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, among several other honors. He continues to be remembered as one of the most influential and inspirational African-American leaders in history.” Continue reading at the link

Violence-a tragic legacy

Dr. King’s life reminds us of the tragic effects of violence. His life ended suddenly and prematurely when, on April 4, 1968, an assailant shot him as he stood on a hotel balcony. He had delivered his last speech just the day before. The shooter was apprehended, and after confessing to the murder, sentenced to life in prison where he died.

Most people know of Dr. King’s assassination, but don’t know his mother, Alberta Williams King, also died violently. At age 69, sitting at the organ of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Mrs. King was shot and killed on June 30, 1974. Her  23-year-old assailant received a life sentence and died in prison.

Recognizing and preventing the health effects of violence

Exposure to violence leads to multiple types of mental and behavioral disorders :depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, sleep and eating disorders, substance abuse and suicide attempts. Adults who experienced childhood trauma struggle with stress due to finances, family and jobs. Abused children often  commit crime as adults.

Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.'s avatar by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

The following book suggestions lead to affiliate links that may pay a commission to this blog at no extra cost.

A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches A Gift of Love: Sermons from Strength to Love and Other Preachings

And a biography about Dr. King written for children I Am Martin Luther King, Jr.

I am Martin Luther King book

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Honoring Martin Luther King Jr’s Life and Legacy

Every year the United States and the world remembers and honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Former President Biden’s proclamation urged Americans to honor King’s legacy through community service. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial symbolizes his vision of a “Beloved Community,” reminding all to continue fighting for equality and justice.

Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.'s avatar by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

How to (not) eat like a doctor

Our diets may be the most important factor affecting our health but we physicians are notorious for eating poorly. We don’t intentionally make poor food choices, but we fail to intentionally make good food choices. Most of the time, poor eating habits are tied directly to our training and work

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Our diets may be the most important factor affecting our health but we physicians are notorious for eating poorly. We don’t intentionally make poor food choices, but we fail to intentionally make good food choices. Most of the time, poor eating habits are tied directly to our training and work.

a large hospital

too busy to eat well

Doctors in training- medical students and residents- have no control over their schedules so they often don’t know when, where, or what they will eat. We don’t do much better when we start practicing.

When we are an hour behind schedule (yes, we are well aware that we run late and we don’t do it just to ruin your day) and an emergency patient walks in, we just accept “there goes a decent lunch”, if we get to eat lunch at all.

I’ve learned from my patients that physicians are not unique this way. In the midst of busy lives with work, school, kids’ activities, church, clubs and just maintaining life, food often gets low priority on our schedules

a vending machine with snack food
Too often, doctors’ meals are something we eat from one of these.

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planning to eat well

So, to help you with this dilemma, I am sharing advice from another physician blogger, Mary L. Brandt, MD who writes wellnessrounds. She is a Professor of Surgery, Pediatrics and Medical Ethics at Baylor College of Medicine and pediatric surgeon at Texas Children’s Hospital .

Her blog mostly addresses issues pertinent to medical students and residents but in this post she outlines a 5 step plan for healthy eating that anyone can use.

5 steps to healthy eating

  1. Make a plan
  2. Make a shopping list
  3. Shop once for the week and (when you can) prep ahead
  4. Use your day(s) off to cook things that might take a bit more time and freeze some for other days
  5. Keep a few “instant” healthy meals in your pantry
bottle of olive oil
Olive oil is a healthy choice for cooking at home.

Think this sounds like a lot of work? Well, it is, but so is being sick, or trying to lose weight after you’ve gained too much. Or as Dr. Brandt says in her post (speaking to medical students and residents remember)

“If you can learn how to take out a gallbladder or care for ill patients in the ICU don’t you think you can learn how to sauté a few vegetables???”

Dr. Mdary Brandt

Here is a link to her plan to help you start eating well-like a doctor.

Eating Well at Work 

exploring the HEART of eating well

Dr. Aletha