In the wake of the terrible shooting in Tucson nine days ago and on this day in which we celebrate the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. there is much talk about his philosophy of peace and nonviolence. A friend just posted his "I have a dream.." speech on Facebook and rued the fact that he isn't here today. It got me to thinking. What if he were still alive today?
In my humble opinion he would continue to be much maligned as he was in the 1960s, both for the color of his skin and because of his views on non-violence. Were he alive today, Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Sarah Palin and others would call him a racist and rant and rave against him on a regular basis. He would be called a wimp because of his views on non-violence. They would say that violence is necessary to achieve their goals. It is necessary to continue the wars that they love so much. He would be tagged a socialist, a communist, and all of the other misused "ists" that they can come up with. He would be characterized as a "trouble maker," stirring up African Americans, Latinos, and other minorities against whites. In short he would still be a target.
This country has in many ways returned to the racist, violent days of the 1950's and 1960's. In those days the right wing press railed against integration and African Americans on a daily basis. Today it has broadened its horizons to include gays, Latinos, Muslims, and other non-Christians. Today its rants reach many more people because of the Internet and cable news. Were Martin Luther King to return to this earth on his birthday, he would find great changes have taken place, but in many ways things are still the same.
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About Me
- Georgia Mountain Man
- Blairsville, GA, United States
- I retired and returned to my hometown of Blairsville, GA. in 2005. I enjoy following politics, sports car racing, a few stick and ball sports, and music, especially "home made music." We have so many special musicians in the mountains of North Georgia and they provide good entertainment. I consider myself somewhat middle of the road politically. On some issues I would be considered by many to be quite liberal. Yet on other issues I am more conservative. I equate the average to be middle of the road. I expect today's so-called conservative would consider me an appeaser because I believe in compromise when possible.
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3 comments:
I fear you are exactly right. Just this morning I was reading King's Letter From A Birmingham Jail, along with the letter from the clergy of that city that prompted it. Funny how some people will go out of their way to twist reason. I don't think we have in our day a speaker for justice so eloquent as MLK, Jr.
GMM, I was wondering the same thing yesterday. "What if, and, how would he be treated?" What songs woukd Lennon be writing and would they move a generation? I thinl MLK Jr could hold his own against Palin and any pundit. I think Lennon would inspire many to action.
I think if MLK were to still be alive he would be proud of all the people who have managed to break free of seeing the world through racist eyes. As for the individuals you named in your post, for them ignorance is truly bliss. I feel nothing but pity for people who feel the need to incite people through fear and hate when in reality it takes less energy to unite people in peace.
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