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" <[email protected]> > 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_D8UA90500&show_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>.
