It was reported today that Yolanda King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King would be busy channeling her mother's love and spirit on this special day, the first holiday celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. since the death of his wife, Coretta Scott King in January.
When asked how she was coping with her mother's loss, the eldest King daughter said, "I am in direct contact with her spirit, and that has given me so much peace and so much strength."
It was reported that the eldest King daughter received so much love and strength from her mother yesterday as she spoke to a standing room only crowd at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta that she sent a wave of positive energy throughout the congregation that caught everyone on fire.
Congregation members were said to have been "rolling and dancing in the aisles" they felt so touched by the spirit.
Atlanta Fire Department officials said that crews would have been called in to put out the fire, if it hadn't been for 1960 images of African Americans in the streets being dosed with water cannons.
"We wanted to be sensitive and didn't want to create any unfavorable images, or stir up anymore bad memories for these beautiful people," said Atlanta fire chief Skylar Sinclair.
It was said that the blaze didn't cool down until the end of the service when the organist began playing the recessional signaling it was finished. Everyone emerged from the church overjoyed, feeling extremely fulfilled by the spirit of God
The African American comedian/actor Eddie Murphy was one of those in attendance at yesterday's service and had these words to say:
"Dr. King has certainly left the African American a legacy that we will never forget. And when everyone caught fire in the congregation, it reminded me of a skit I did on Saturday Night Live one time about the phenomenon of African American performers catching on fire because the stage lights were too hot."
Other King family members in attendance were Yolanda's sister, the Rev. Bernice King, her aunt, author, Christine King Farris and her brother and peace activist Martin Luther King Jr.'s Jr.
When asked about the fire incident, Yolanda King said, "How could I not help myself. I feel so much love that my parents gave me. You know the best sermons are those that are lived."
Parishioners from a predominately white Presbyterian Church nearby were said to have heard the whole "ruckus."
"It's so quiet in our church said one parishioner; you can hear the birds sing."
In other news today, the Yin/Yang symbol is being adopted as the symbol to represent public school systems in America.
After legislation back in the 50's, Brown vs the Board of Education, requiring African Americans and Whites to go to school together, the symbol is considered "cool" by most school aged kids and seems to get the message across of integration. These were the reasons given for the adoption.
