Honoring MLK at Mettle - F3 Highlands January 16, 2023

• When: 01/16/2023
• QIC: Powerball
• The PAX: Sparky, Disaster, Buckwheat, Lincoln, Snowsuit, Brinkley, Illuminati, Greeter, Powerball

After some collaboration and discussion throughout the weekend, YHC was supported in shifting this Mettle to a special time of 0700 with a preblast posted via Twitter.

Today marks the 37th anniversary of the federal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday. The holiday was signed into law in 1983 and was first observed in 1986, serving as a tribute to Dr. King for advancing civil rights and social justice through non-violent protest.

Therefore, nine High Impact Males aligned the beatdown with the opportunity to read aloud some of Dr. King’s literature, mostly from his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, written in 1963 (60 years ago).

PAX were not phased by 28 degrees this AM. Disclaimer provided and mosey to the clubhouse and back for…

WARMARAMA

Side-Straddle Hops, IST, Weed Pickers, Windmill, Merkins, Plank-Jacks, Mountain Climbers, and Burpees.

THE THANG

Coupons (kettlebells or dumbbells) obtained:

• Overhead Carries aka Riffle Carries (across parking lot and back)
• Squats – KB touches ground
• Shoulder Press
• Upright Rows
• Curls
• Kettlebell Swings
• Skull Crushers
• Bent-over Rows
• Briefcase Carries (across parking lot and back x 2; each side)

Followed by a mosey to the island and back. Rep numbers alternated with 10 for Round 1, 2, and 5; 15 reps for Rounds 3 and 4 gave us a total of 60 reps for each exercise (matching the 60 years since "Letters from Birmingham Jail had been written). After each circuit, a PAX read a quote from an index card aloud to the group.

We were able to get through five circuits with little down time.

The following quotes from “Letter from Birmingham Jail” were utilized:

• Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.
• Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.
• We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.
• One has not only a legal, but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.
• We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.
• We who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open, where it can be seen and dealt with.
• Will we be extremists for hate or will we be extremists for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice ― or will we be extremists for the cause of justice?

Plus, two more of my favorites:

• “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
• “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

MOLESKIN:

• It’s incredible to hear how the words written and spoken by Dr. King from 1963, 60 years ago, still resonate today. We have so much work to do with the ongoing battle for social justice, equality, and better opportunities for each and everyone. 
• I hope the words shared today provide some opportunity for thought and reflection as we celebrate and honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior.
• Thankful for this group to push me to be a better man and leader. Strong incorporation of all three F's today: Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith.

Iron Sharpens Iron

Powerball