The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, 1995, Memorial Issue

A vivid portrait opens this memorial collection, placing listeners in a modest 19th‑century parlor where the legendary activist Sojourner Truth appears for an impromptu interview. The narrator’s first impression captures her striking presence—tall, dignified, and wrapped in a bright Madras turban—while her earthy humor and unflinching moral authority shine through her simple, prayer‑filled speech. Accompanied by a lively young grandson, Truth’s conversation drifts from personal hardships to the fervent conviction that she is a “sign unto this nation,” ready to expose the sins of a society that still shackles her people.

The surrounding dialogue brings together clergymen, scholars, and the host’s family, illustrating how Truth’s message resonated across social strata and sparked thoughtful debate among the era’s leading minds. Listeners are invited to experience the raw energy of a historic figure who, despite limited formal education, commands the room with a blend of humility, humor, and relentless resolve—setting the tone for the broader reflections on justice and remembrance that follow in the memorial issue.