[UC] About Martin Luther King Day
This is a serious day for me. Not a day of service. It has become that because powerful people wish to sweep under the rug the true reason Dr, King was assassinated, and that was because he strove for blacks to be treated equally under the law. He went about it in an non-violent manner had was met with intransigent violence until the end of his life. This Day of Service thing to me is a way of revising history and glossing over how Dr. King was treated. For me this day is STILL about blacks being treated equally under the law. If any of you have read Tom Ferrick's recent reports on the Trade Union membership in Philadelphia, one realizes that this has changed little since Reconstruction. I remember all the hubbub over designating a holiday for Dr. King. Now, it's like, Well, he's got his __holiday, so we'll make it whatever we want on it. I have nothing against those who wish to beautify the area, I just don't think this day should be associated with that. It's more important than that. -Wilma Historians Fear MLK's Legacy Is Being Lost http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=2008-01-21_D8UA90500show_article=1; cat=breaking Arkansas Celebrates MLK/Lee Day http://www.arkansasleader.com/frontstories/st_01_19_05/birthdays.html You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] About Martin Luther King Day
Thanks to all the volunteers who came out to 51st Street this morning! About 40 of us, aided by a surprise visit from the guys at Engine 68, stuffed 141 bags full of leaves and debris. Now we're just hoping the city will follow through with a truck. Maybe picking up leaves around a city park wasn't explicitly part of King's dream, but I think he would have approved of this effort today. Thanks again, Andrew Quoting Dan Widyono [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Good point: this day is indeed more than just about community service. My query was instigated by my son's idea (he's six) to do something of service today. We attended church yesterday to discuss the reasoning behind celebrating Dr. King's legacy. I hope, along with you, that people don't think community service is the only reason for this day's being a holiday, but this is what my family is doing this year on this day (not just this day, of course, but because it's a federal holiday, we both have the day off from the standard requirements of school and work). I talk about racial injustice many times with my son, along with other kinds of injustice (e.g. when we walk by the Womens Way murals on I think 21st Street on the way to the Franklin Institute, I talk to him about why there's a Womens Way and not a Mens Way). It's what I've come to learn and honor in my church as it's brought up many times there throughout the year. It's inevitable for it to be at the forefront of our attention given that we live in Philadelphia (with such a strong diversity of races, among other social differences: class, sexual preference, creed, etc.). On Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 08:05:29AM -0500, Wilma de Soto wrote: This is a serious day for me. Not a day of service. I confess I don't fully understand how you don't equate giving community service to serious. I assume you aren't disassociating my particular inquiry to the list with a lack of seriousness, but rather clarifying your stance on labor rights as opposed to larger community service. If that's not quite accurate, I'd appreciate a chance to better understand what you meant. Since there isn't much that's formally/officially organized here (thanks Anthony and Andrew -- given the bitter cold it does seem wisest to do something indoors, for my son's sake), I'm taking my son to the Constitution Center where we can learn more about Dr. King's legacy in connection with this country's history. It has become that because powerful people wish to sweep under the rug the true reason Dr, King was assassinated, and that was because he strove for blacks to be treated equally under the law. Wilma, I'm interested in what you have in mind regarding bringing renewed awareness to the people of our extended neighborhood? It sounds like that would be a good topic for today! Me, I'm making sure the more generally applicable reasons and ideas behind Dr. King's struggle don't die; currently I do this by speaking to the younger generation and making sure they understand what's so important about racial justice, understanding class inequities, tolerance of differing family lifestyles, respecting other's religious beliefs, and other aspects which would make life better and more just for more people. Thanks for your awareness-raising post, and may all of Dr. King's dream continue to grow true. With kind and sincere regards, Dan Widyono P.S. Interesting tidbit regarding service on MLK, Jr. Day from Wikipedia: The national Martin Luther King Day of Service was started by former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Harris Wofford and Atlanta Congressman John Lewis, who co-authored the King Holiday and Service Act. The federal legislation challenges Americans to transform the King Holiday into a day of citizen action through volunteer service in honor of Dr. King. The federal legislation was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on August 23, 1994. Since 1996, the annual Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service has been the largest event in the nation honoring Dr. King.[9] [9]: http://www.mlkdayofservice.org/ You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] About Martin Luther King Day
I hope Wilma knows I respect her and am very happy she lives in our neighborhood and speaks her mind (even when I disagree). Service is serious. Celebrating with service instead of with heart shaped chocolates, or pasteboard presidential memorabilia, or stockings filled with trivial treats honors M.L. King. The press releases, inviting service, keep King's name alive in ways that pursue his goals and make his name a blessing for our hearts and in our ongoing struggles to bring people together. Each of us must honor his message the best we know how. For me, a day of service is a beautiful way to honor and respect the departed, including Dr. King. I rarely send flowers to a funeral. I am more likely to plant a tree, or volunteer time or many toward an improvement that would have pleased the person I lost. It may be during King Day volunteering that a suburbanite finds herself applying fresh paint to the corridors of an inner city school. The day of service than expands to all the children, families and staffers who enjoy a cleaner, brighter environment, and my also move forward through better informed comments or future voting by the volunteer. My experience, as a volunteer, is one of exposure to new people, folks outside my work and family and worship circles. As a child of the 50's and 60's my world was mostly white (mostly Irish American white) and Roman Catholic. I first volunteered in elementary School at St. Lucy's School for the blind. The kids were still mostly white and RC, but they were handicapped and from many parishes so I met Italians and Poles and other ethnic types. And I quickly learned, not just heard but really learned, that handicapped was often just differently abled. I met kids who could read with their finger tips, hear far beyond my discernment and pick up on clues I was not sensitive enough to catch or interpret. In High School, I went on Marches for Peace and for Civil and Women's Rights and to Take back the Night. I found common ground with people across lines of Race, Religion, Class and Gender. I attended Earth Day Celebrations and I tutored refugees. Each bit of effort seemed to move in two directions. While helping others, I was improved. Sometimes volunteering exposed me to finer things and opportunities. Other times it let me build upon preexisting skills. A few times, I felt as if no good deed goes unpunished and I'd wake the next day, stiff from overwork, or rocked by the enormity of what remained to be done. But looking back, I can't think of a single Volunteer effort that I regret, and I remember many with pleasure or joy. One of my current favorite people, is someone I met while volunteering with CPN. Another favorite is a ball of energy who I grew to admire as she staged events for UCAL and SFDS. At home, I am MOM, which is a fairly omnipotent spot, but in volunteering, I find leadership in neighbors of other colors, religions and gender choices. When I read your message, I respect that you have opted out of this interpretation. But, I hope it does not encourage others to opt out. When I volunteer with the children of SFDS I am awed that every child is encouraged to contribute something to the greater good of the school. Young children, with dark skin, and 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) language challenges, from sub-poverty backgrounds and from across huge cultural chasms, are taught that their contributions matter. That lives are improved one step, one day and one person at a time. This past Fall I volunteered at the CPN fair, and became very aware of a class of people who saw themselves as recipients of social service programs and volunteered energy. Able body people sat on benches watching volunteers hang banners, pick up litter and arrange tables in preparation for a day of community fun. I didn't know how to engage them in the process. Several expressed comments displaying a belief that the volunteers were getting paid and others acted as if volunteering was beneath them. I was too busy, trying to get a kid's area up to speed, to figure out how to properly engage the adults who seemed, to me, to be little more that loiterers. I remain convinced, that the process must start with youngsters. That we must raise children to be adults, not compartmentalize them first as toddlers, than as kids and teens, and act as if each age has a separate set of rules. I think rules start with babies (no biting) and grow in complexity and subtlety (no thoughtless disrespect) along a consistent line toward adulthood. And I try to put my efforts into helping kids learn to fish while playing together. King's life was about service and sacrifice. I hope each of us honors his memory, whether by educating ourselves and sharing the knowledge (and links) with others, by volunteering, beyond our current comfort zones or by praying or making phone calls if energy and money precluded other options. All the best! Liz On Mon, 21 Jan 2008
Re: [UC] About Martin Luther King Day
Yes of course I do, Cindy. I have both listened and read his words with regard to this subject. Dr. King was absolutely opposed to materialism, and militarism. In the New World, wealth to provide and promote materialism and militarism would not have been impossible without the free labor of African slaves which was the genesis of racism in America. This begat the accumulation of Euro-American wealth and the military to protect it. After what Dr. King went through fighting racism in the Deep South, he could not have spoken his opposition with regard to materialism and militarism (even though he knew they were), until things had loosened up in the early 60¹s under President Johnson. Racism, materialism and militarism are ever interrelated and have NEVER been separated from the reason Dr. King was killed. On 1/21/08 9:30 AM, Cindy Miller [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Dr. King spoke about three evils - racism, materialism, and militarism. Americans know he was opposed to racism. I wonder how many know about his opposition to militarism and materialism? -cm `·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸º On Jan 21, 2008, at 8:05 AM, Wilma de Soto wrote: This is a serious day for me. Not a day of service. It has become that because powerful people wish to sweep under the rug the true reason Dr, King was assassinated, and that was because he strove for blacks to be treated equally under the law. He went about it in an non-violent manner had was met with intransigent violence until the end of his life. This Day of Service thing to me is a way of revising history and glossing over how Dr. King was treated. For me this day is STILL about blacks being treated equally under the law. If any of you have read Tom Ferrick's recent reports on the Trade Union membership in Philadelphia, one realizes that this has changed little since Reconstruction. I remember all the hubbub over designating a holiday for Dr. King. Now, it's like, Well, he's got his __holiday, so we'll make it whatever we want on it. I have nothing against those who wish to beautify the area, I just don't think this day should be associated with that. It's more important than that. -Wilma Historians Fear MLK's Legacy Is Being Lost http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=2008-01-21_D8UA90500show_article=1; http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=2008-01-21_D8UA90500amp;show_articl e=1amp; cat=breaking Arkansas Celebrates MLK/Lee Day http://www.arkansasleader.com/frontstories/st_01_19_05/birthdays.html You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] About Martin Luther King Day
Hello and Happy New Year, Glenn Martin Luther King was assassinated because he wanted equal rights (as promised by the Declaration of Independence AND The US Constitution), for African Americans under the law of the land. He challenged that over and over, and even to declaring his most famous speech at the Washington Monument. He repeatedly challenged the racial status quo in America and that's why he was murdered, as were others to his fore. This day should be a day where we are inching ever closer to making his dream a reality. With no disrespect to your post. It's as simple as that. Qualifications make it more difficult and convoluted. His life, legacy and death were clear about what stood for. Fondest Regards, Wilma On 1/21/08 11:52 AM, Glenn [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 'I remember all the hubbub over designating a holiday for Dr. King. Now, it's like, Well, he's got his __holiday, so we'll make it whatever we want on it.' Wilma, I also look at some holidays a bit differently. The movement and hope that Dr. King struggled for was with him everyday. As Dr. King and then Bobby Kennedy were killed, the assaults on their movements were pursued relentlessly everyday by powerful forces like the military industrial complex. The Vietnam War, which Dr. King fought to end in 1968, is another prime example that the deaths of these heroes did not somehow mark a victory for their principals or movements. I think, most of all, Dr. King would like us to pick up the torches and hope he carried and keep the fire lit everyday. I wonder, are we to be pacified with some holidays? Are we encouraged to buy into the lie that the goals of King, Ghandi, Bhutto and Jesus have been realized? Does the spin of the holiday mislead the young about the nature of the struggles that these real heroes encouraged us to embrace daily? What does community service mean? I like to feel good about doing good deeds but I worry about categorizing community service into some feel good activity.It's like putting some dollars in the churches collection plate each Sunday isn't the only feature of living the churches principals. When I see several turkey dinners surrounding each homeless person on Christmas day, I remember that Dr. King would have thought about the lives of these people the other days as well. I sometimes think the day of community service becomes a dangerous distraction. Sort of like a business write off for citizens. I think a good way to honor the memory of Dr. King would be to read, Where Do We Go From Here, Chaos Or Community. It is an inspiration to honor and renew his movement the other 364 days rather than wasting so many turkey dinners. Peace, Glenn - Original Message - From: Wilma de Soto [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: UnivCity listserv UnivCity@list.purple.com Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 8:05 AM Subject: [UC] About Martin Luther King Day This is a serious day for me. Not a day of service. It has become that because powerful people wish to sweep under the rug the true reason Dr, King was assassinated, and that was because he strove for blacks to be treated equally under the law. He went about it in an non-violent manner had was met with intransigent violence until the end of his life. This Day of Service thing to me is a way of revising history and glossing over how Dr. King was treated. For me this day is STILL about blacks being treated equally under the law. If any of you have read Tom Ferrick's recent reports on the Trade Union membership in Philadelphia, one realizes that this has changed little since Reconstruction. I remember all the hubbub over designating a holiday for Dr. King. Now, it's like, Well, he's got his __holiday, so we'll make it whatever we want on it. I have nothing against those who wish to beautify the area, I just don't think this day should be associated with that. It's more important than that. -Wilma Historians Fear MLK's Legacy Is Being Lost http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=2008-01-21_D8UA90500show_article=1; cat=breaking Arkansas Celebrates MLK/Lee Day http://www.arkansasleader.com/frontstories/st_01_19_05/birthdays.html You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.7/1233 - Release Date: 1/19/2008 6:37 PM You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
