Celebrating Martin Luther King
- Jan
- 15
- 2011
- Posted by Tammy Ditmore
- Posted in personal reflections
This is a slightly revised version of a column I wrote several years ago that was published in the Ventura County Star. I think it’s worthy of revisiting this MLK weekend.
For many years, I considered Martin Luther King, Jr., to be a hero–for somebody else.
Yes, I admired him and what he did, and I believed that he should be remembered and honored for how his work improved and changed the future of the country. But only in recent years have I begun to understand how King and the civil rights movement have made my life as an Anglo woman richer and fuller than would have been possible in the segregated, separated society I was born into.
From preschool through college, in various workplaces, at church, in my neighborhood, and in virtually every walk of life, I have been blessed by acquaintances, co-workers and friends I might never have met if not for Dr. King. And there are many people I will probably never meet but who have enriched my life nevertheless. If not for King, would I ever had the pleasure of watching Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant play basketball? Or heard James Earl Jones’ incomparable voice? Would I have been challenged by the literature of Toni Morrison or Richard Wright? Would I have had the chance to watch Oprah Winfrey connect with people of all races?
A few years ago, I found myself mesmerized at a performance by Maya Angelou. And while listening to her spellbinding stories and poems, I realized how much I would have missed if only African American audiences had been given the chance to see her, to hear her, to read her works. How grateful I am that white people no longer have to pretend that only other white people have anything worthy to offer.
I know that my life is richer and fuller today because King helped our country to stop seeing only in black and white. In the more than forty years since his death, America has begun to see in the colors of the rainbow, to celebrate our differences and our similarities, to learn from each other and to appreciate each other.
And for the blessings his life and work have added to my life and work, I celebrate Martin Luther King as a hero–my hero.
Search
Blog Categories
Contact
Testimonials
Tammy Ditmore edited my book, The Quest for Distinction: Pepperdine University in the 20th Century (forthcoming). It was a huge assignment, requiring skills that set her apart from most professional editors. She recognized the key themes of the manuscript immediately and proceeded to examine each paragraph, actually each word, in light of those themes. The result was a briefer, more coherent manuscript that will be read with greater interest and understanding. If the book is to be praised for lu…
Tammy is sensitive to my work and does a great job to maintain the integrity of my writing and my voice!
I appreciate Tammy’s willingness to ask questions when appropriate, flex on deadlines, offer sound advice, and rewrite sentences or sections as needed. Her command of substantive and copy editing make Tammy an asset to any project.
Tammy Ditmore is an excellent editor. My writing improved grammatically, in structure, and clarity under her skilled eye.
Tammy’s approach to editing was like telling a story to someone who listens very well and offers suggestions only when something is confusing or grammatically incorrect (or embarrassing).
I wanted to take a moment and thank you for your wonderful work. I marvel at your eye for detail and your ability to make a written text so much better.
Personally, I feel the editing process is the most important aspect of writing–it can be a nightmare if the editor and the writer are not on the same page. … Tammy knows what she is doing, she is easy to work with, and she delivers on time.
I highly recommend Tammy Ditmore to you. She has edited three of my books in the past two years. Each time, I have been impressed with her professionalism, and pleased with her ability to provide a polished text.
Tammy Ditmore was the consummate professional. She was very humble in dealing with me and tailored her editing style to fit my specific needs. She was prompt and punctual with deadlines and was very open to communicating with me. I would hire her again in a heartbeat.”
She worked with me chapter-by-chapter over the course of nearly a year to hone my writing through attention to style, organization, and mechanics. Her close reading and keen eye have been invaluable during my revision process. I learned important guidelines about preparing my manuscript for its final review through this pleasant experience of working with her.
Follow eDitmore
