What Does a Conservative Do on Martin Luther King Day?

The Claremont Institute ^ | January 17, 2005 | Ken Masugi

[Stoat]

What Does a Conservative Do on Martin Luther King Day?

 

How should conservatives celebrate Martin Luther King Day? We can honor the high-minded, patriotic side of King, who spoke of the American Dream, of a color-blind society that evaluates people on “the content of their character.” That would truly be an aristocracy of merit, a conservative idea if there ever was one. This King was the one calling us back to the ideals of the American Founding and reminding us that its legacy was not fully enjoyed by all. In this view, the Civil Rights Revolution, for which he became the principal (though by no means sole) spokesman, flowed from the American Revolution and completed the constitutionalism demanded by it. This King revived regard for the fundamental institutions of this country, cruelly and unjustly denied by a faction. Shelby Steele brings out this King most admirably.

But there is the other King conservatives loath—and with good reason. This King stressed unlawful action (civil disobedience) where bargaining with local notables might have prevailed. He lobbied for the extension of the welfare state, with all its disastrous consequences, in the claimants and in the growth of the bureaucracy. Moreover, he irresponsibly attacked his own country on the issue of Vietnam. He provided legitimate cover for a radical left that contained the worst elements of American life, posing as our true patriots. His crowning achievement, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, turned out to be a vehicle for the centralized regulation of political life. A plain reading of it sought to relieve individual injuries to one’s civil rights; the bureaucratic interpretation (the one that has prevailed) established group remedies, hiring and promotion quotas, and the emphasis on race-based solutions that bedevil our laws today. Similarly, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 has subordinated state and local governments to the whims of the Justice Department. Thus King's version of equality cut off the relationship between the civil rights cause and the ideals of the American Founding; far from protecting limited, constitutional government his vision led to unlimited government. And all this does not mention the plagiarism and infidelity that infected his character.

Despite its equality on the federal holiday calendar, we cannot honor Martin Luther King Day with the same solemnity or joy we offer any number of other federal holidays. There were surely better approaches to establishing equal civil and political rights for all than the path which led from Brown v. Board of Education to the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, as they have come to be interpreted and then modified, not to mention the detour of the Great Society welfare state. But King has become that focus, that shorthand, for the road to equal rights, from Birmingham to the Lincoln Memorial. It would be worse than pointless to abolish the holiday. The just cause transcends the man. We must focus our attention on that cause. In doing so, it would be far better to honor the better angels of King’s character in the Presidents we honor next month—Washington and Lincoln.

[Stoat]

Ken Masugi is the Director of the Center for Local Government. Its purpose is to apply the principles of the American Founding to the theory and practice of local government, the cradle of American self-government. Dr. Masugi has extensive experience in government and academia. Following his initial appointment at the Claremont Institute (1982-86), he was a special assistant to then-Chairman Clarence Thomas of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. After his years in Washington, he held visiting university appointments including Olin Distinguished Visiting Professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Dr. Masugi is co-author with Brian Janiskee of Democracy in California: Politics and Government in the Golden State (Rowman & Littlefield, 2002). He is co-editor of six books on political thought, including The Supreme Court and American Constitutionalism with Branford P. Wilson, (Ashbrook Series, 1997); The Ambiguous Legacy of the Enlightenment with William Rusher, (University Press, 1995); The American Founding with J. Jackson Barlow and Leonard W. Levy, (Greenwood Press, 1988). He is the editor of Interpreting Tocqueville's Democracy in America, (Rowman & Littlefield, 1991).

He is author of numerous essays and reviews of works on political theory, constitutional law, public policy, and films. Dr. Masugi has also published in the popular press, including the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, Washington Post, Washington Times, National Review, and the Weekly Standard.

[California Patriot]

Great post.

I wish more conservative writers would take this position
on MLK, and take it publicly.

[WaterDragon]

Nobody's perfect, not even though who, in hindsight, know just what King SHOULD have done.

I'm as conservative, economically and socially, as they come, but I remember Dr. King and those times. I remember the absolutely conservative message Dr. King preached -- freedom/responsibility. I grew up in the South and am still a Southerner. Dr. King will forever be one of my heroes.

[dimmer-rats stealvotes]

As a conservative, I find it unconscionable that only this man has a federal holiday set aside for him. No longer are any of our founding fathers honored this way. Only this one man who has been built up by the media into a hero. Someday, I hope the truth about him will be revealed.

[kizzdogg]

Wish more people would read this and take it to heart.

[Gelato]

But there is the other King conservatives loath—and with good reason. This King stressed unlawful action (civil disobedience) ....

There was once a tea party in Boston.....

[kipita]

I'm as conservative, economically and socially, as they come, but I remember Dr. King and those times. I remember the absolutely conservative message Dr. King preached -- freedom/responsibility. I grew up in the South and am still a Southerner. Dr. King will forever be one of my heroes.

Very well said! I'd also add a simple line "one cannot evaluate people and decisions from the past based on current criteria...."

[peyton randolph]

This year it was an easy choice. Jan. 17th happens to be Ben Franklin's birthday.

[andrew2527]

Well put. MLK preached that NON-VIOLENT civil disobedience was the only way to right the wrongs of the time. There is a mighty large difference between a sit-in and a riot.

[Stoat]

But there is the other King conservatives loath—and with good reason. This King stressed unlawful action (civil disobedience) ....

There was once a tea party in Boston.....

The British did not allow Colonials legal redress of their grievances, as the 1960's era United States did, hence the Tea Party and ultimately the Revolutionary War.

I believe that Dr. Masugi was meaning to suggest that Dr. King and his followers could have addressed many of their concerns via existing legal channels without needing to resort to illegal means, something that would have endeared him to Conservatives far more.

But there is the other King conservatives loath—and with good reason. This King stressed unlawful action (civil disobedience) ....

There was once a tea party in Boston.....

[Clemenza]

I will NEVER honor the communist-supported plagiarist! I celebrate Martin Luther King Day by going to work like every other weekday!

[Stoat]

There is a mighty large difference between a sit-in and a riot.

True, although a sit-in is not necessarily entirely benign, pure and devoid of consequence.  A sit-in can cause institutions and commerce to grind to a halt, inconveniencing and disenfranchising many innocent people.

Legal channels of redress typically don't shut down universities and businesses.

[Petronski]

I will focus on what he did well and ignore the rest.

[Gelato]

I find it presumptuous for Dr. Masugi to speak for conservatives in condemning the non-violent civil disobedience to injustice advocated by Dr. King.

[ovrtaxt]

That's pretty much my position too.

Of course, Kwanzaa is still sacrosanct.

[Petronski]

Of course, Kwanzaa is still sacrosanct.

LOL. Agreed.

[andrew2527]

Legal processes in Alabama in the 1960's? He did exactly what he needed to in order to garner federal attention that might actually help his cause.

respectfully,
Andy

[Stoat]

I will NEVER honor the communist-supported plagiarist! I celebrate Martin Luther King Day by going to work like every other weekday!

I worked 13 hours on MLK day, providing emergency medical services for the public and players at a local stadium where basketball was being played. 

We had multiple gang altercations inside the facility requiring police intervention and several injuries as a result of fighting, one involving an 8 year old boy who suffered a back injury when one adult (mid 40's) who was fighting fell on top of him from an upper row of seats.  The boy had to be immobilized and rushed to hospital for emergency spinal x-rays and possible neurological treatment.

I was saddened that the particular demographic that was almost exclusively represented at this event didn't seem to be aware of any theme of nonviolence associated with the day.

[andrew2527]

And Kwanzaa is Bull****

:)

[garbanzo]

The British did not allow Colonials legal redress of their grievances, as the 1960's era United States did

It did for white people only, hence the sit-ins. When you can't vote, when the legal system is stacked against you, and when the "local notables" consider you just barely worth more than a dog, you have to make your stand outside of the system.