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On Monday, we had our first community walk of the year in Wellfleet: 9th annual all-ages rain-snow-or-shine WALKING CELEBRATION of MLK’s birthday.
So what does walking have to do with climate change? ;--)
This walk is a favorite for young and old--even in freezing weather. For one thing it’s just a few blocks from Town Hall to the Library; for another we have police keeping the road clear for pedestrians on a path that leads past storefronts and fences decked with dazzling children’s art.
First we circle up, and every year the circle seems bigger and more beautiful; we share a few words and a song before starting (how many words has everything to do with the weather). This year Rev. Dave Johnson shared a memory of walking from Selma to Montgomery with Dr. King in 1965. As he walked, Dave carried a photo of Dr. King singing on that march-- a walk within a walk, the past contained in the present. And we were singing one of the songs King sang, perhaps at the very moment SNCC photographer Matt Heron snapped the picture: “Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me round....gonna keep on walkin’, keep on talkin’, marching into Freedom Land.”
As the song faded, we walked together in silence, following a favorite Buddhist practice of King’s nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, poet and monk Thich Nhat Hanh. Destination: film-clips of Dr. King, a talk by newly elected state senator Dan Wolf, awards, music and potluck at library. Wellfleet follows a simple recipe any town can adapt to create a healthy community observance of our youngest holiday.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
“GONNA KEEP ON WALKING”
WALKing meditation
Joe DaLuz of Cape Cod NAACP and Jim Kershner of Cape Sangha lead the way.
photo: Miah Nate Johnson ©2011
jerusha for Cape Cool ©2011
ANOTHER HUMAN RIGHT
As she walked, Femke Rosenbaum carried a clear message. The sign reflects widespread local concern for the Cape’s fragile one-source aquifer, threatened by chemical spraying on power lines, golf courses and private lands.
Walk sponsor artpeace “explores the connections between making art of all kinds and peace on all levels, for ourselves, for each other, for the planet”
photo: Chuck Cole © 2011
Besides remembering Dr. King and lifting our spirits, WALKING gets us out of our houses and cars into the fresh (chilly) air-- and to the warmth music, fellowship and home-cooked potluck.
WALKING kicked off the 2011 initiative for a healthier town and a greener world.
WALK WITHIN A WALK
Rev. Dave Johnson of Provincetown UU Church (behind unidentified walker) carries photo taken on the road from Selma to Montgomery by Matt Herron. Rev. Johnson met Dr. King on that historic 1965 March.
(detail, photo: Miah Nate Johnson, ©2011)
