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Remembering the Real Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Reality Check ^ | 20 January 2005 | Michael Bates

Posted on 01/23/2005 7:33:44 AM PST by Lando Lincoln

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The opinions expressed in this column represent those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, or philosophy of....

Lando

1 posted on 01/23/2005 7:33:44 AM PST by Lando Lincoln
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To: Lando Lincoln
Martin Luther King exhibited a steadfast devotion to equal rights. He was a man of courage and eloquence. That can’t be taken away from him.

But Bates is going to do his damndest to try.

2 posted on 01/23/2005 7:35:53 AM PST by Non-Sequitur
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To: Lando Lincoln

3 posted on 01/23/2005 7:35:59 AM PST by postaldave (ACLU = Anti-Christian, Liberal, and Un-American.)
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To: Lando Lincoln

I have always wondered why so many people held this womanizing, plagiarizing Marxist in such high esteem. No one had the guts to tell it like it really was. I think the black community has many other leaders and heroes that had a better record in the community.


4 posted on 01/23/2005 7:39:53 AM PST by TommyDale
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To: Lando Lincoln

The government lied to us about Vietnam... it had no strategy for the winning the war. That was apparent to every one by 1968. Its true the Left's reasons for opposing the war had more to do with self-interest than the fact the aim was far from unjust. Could it have been different? What can be said for sure was that Vietnam above all was the beginning of the end of the American people's trust in the ability of public institutions to get things done right.


5 posted on 01/23/2005 7:42:56 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: Non-Sequitur

MLK was a communist. That can't be taken from him either. :-)


6 posted on 01/23/2005 7:43:17 AM PST by hiredhand (Pudge the Indestructible Kitty lives at http://www.justonemorefarm.com)
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To: TommyDale
I think the black community has many other leaders and heroes that had a better record in the community.

Like?

7 posted on 01/23/2005 7:47:24 AM PST by Non-Sequitur
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To: hiredhand
MLK was a communist. That can't be taken from him either. :-)

So people have labeled him. But he was also had the courage to step forward as a leader for the black community at a time and in a part of the country where being a leader was hazardous to one's health. You can't take that away from him either.

8 posted on 01/23/2005 7:49:10 AM PST by Non-Sequitur
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To: Lando Lincoln
I agree with much of what Bates says. In truth, King is largely an unknown quantity. As Bates points out, what people believe is so larded with symbols and personal perceptions, the actual man is lost.

Personally, I regard King as another activist cleric that lives in denial of his 'faith' while using the collar as a cover for explicit political ends. I also regard his communist associations and infidelity as indicators of his real character - color notwithstanding. It will be recalled that none other than Ronald Reagan was excoriated by the Left and the press for voicing his wonder at just what the good Reverend was up to over in the Soviet Union. Of course, he recanted and gave us all (at least those who work for the government) a tax payer funded day off.

In the final analysis, though, it is up to the machinery of the culture to decide what he was and what he accomplished. So far, the Left has been in firm control of that legacy and they have sainted him with honors far, far beyond his ken. In any event, he was the lightning rod for social change and a good deal of that was good and necessary. A good deal of it, however, was just plain bad and we still suffer the ill effects of the 'moral' crusade of those times.

In the future, the debate may be rejoined and the restraint of political correctness gone. Then the true measure of the man will be taken - when all those that would bludgeon legitimate questions are finally seen as the bigots of the present age.
9 posted on 01/23/2005 7:51:42 AM PST by WorkingClassFilth (Let's arm all the "patriotic" Democrats and field a penal battalion...)
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To: Lando Lincoln
"Today, saying anything that remotely could be construed as critical of Martin Luther King, Jr. is a certain ticket to being branded a racist or being measured for a tinfoil hat."

Just before the 67' riots in Newark, N.J., the King and his merry henchmen strode into town, stroked the fires of rebellion, and as if on cue left the city hours before the riot began.

Actually, it wasn't a riot, it was a looting rampage.

10 posted on 01/23/2005 7:57:18 AM PST by G.Mason (A war mongering, UN hating, military industrial complex loving, Al Qaeda incinerating American.)
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To: Non-Sequitur
" Like?"

Nice sucker punch!

I can't come up with any respected black leaders from that era either.

11 posted on 01/23/2005 8:02:06 AM PST by G.Mason (A war mongering, UN hating, military industrial complex loving, Al Qaeda incinerating American.)
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To: G.Mason

Sounds like the scenario that occuredin Cicero, too!


12 posted on 01/23/2005 8:03:59 AM PST by Grendel9
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To: G.Mason

Isn't that the way it was with a great number of King's "visits?" The civil rights rallies and then after he and his entourage (sp?) left there was civil unrest - in some cases very serious "unrest."


13 posted on 01/23/2005 8:04:07 AM PST by ImpotentRage
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To: Non-Sequitur

Like almost anyone. Edmund Brooke, George Washington Carver, etc. Just look today -- anyone not agreeing with keeping blacks on the plantation is called an "Uncle Tom" because they don't fit the stereotype they have placed upon themselves. Clarence Thomas, Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell or any other black conservative are just not acceptable.


14 posted on 01/23/2005 8:11:03 AM PST by TommyDale
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To: G.Mason

This is another thing about King that the public seems to have forgotten -- seems that every time he came to town, riots and looting broke out. Amazingly, he claimed to be non-violent, but violence always reared its ugly head when he was present.


15 posted on 01/23/2005 8:13:25 AM PST by TommyDale
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To: goldstategop

True but...uh if my history is correct wasn't the largest buildup of the war performed by a Democrat (LBJ) so I don't believe that the left can wash there hands of Vietnam...as far as Dr. King is concerned, getting your message across without recrimination is a lot easier if you are a martyr...


16 posted on 01/23/2005 8:14:14 AM PST by sulla07
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To: Grendel9; TommyDale; ImpotentRage
"Sounds like the scenario that occured in Cicero, too!"

I was a young officer then and fought a four day battle, in which 27 persons were killed.

The same thing happened in Jersey City, and, I'm sure, accross the country.

17 posted on 01/23/2005 8:20:05 AM PST by G.Mason (A war mongering, UN hating, military industrial complex loving, Al Qaeda incinerating American.)
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To: TommyDale

We're talking 50 years ago. Jim Crow, white's only facilities, segregated schools, back of the bus, and don't even think of trying to vote or eat at that white's only lunch counter. King stood up and said it was wrong. King, not Carver or 'Edmund Brooke' (could you be thinking Edward Brooke from Massachusetts?). In no small part because of him we as a nation recognize that when George Wallace stood and vowed 'segregation forever' he was 100 years behind the times. King, in his own way, helped make Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice and Clarence Thomas possible, as any one of the three would be the first to admit.


18 posted on 01/23/2005 8:21:13 AM PST by Non-Sequitur
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To: TommyDale
This is another thing about King that the public seems to have forgotten -- seems that every time he came to town, riots and looting broke out. Amazingly, he claimed to be non-violent, but violence always reared its ugly head when he was present.

For example?

19 posted on 01/23/2005 8:21:51 AM PST by Non-Sequitur
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To: TommyDale
I have always wondered why so many people held this womanizing, plagiarizing Marxist in such high esteem. No one had the guts to tell it like it really was. I think the black community has many other leaders and heroes that had a better record in the community.

I have the guts to tell it like it was. No historical figure is or was perfect, as is no human. Many had skeltons in their closets...affairs, dubious liasons, etc. However, MLK was a catalyst for equal rights in America. He did not do this alone, but he was the one pushed forward as a leader.

Many can talk, as we do here; but few have the tenacity or public charisma to actually effect change. You don't have to love him, you don't even have to like him; however, credit should be given where credit is due. Martin Luther King opened the eyes to injustice in America.

Many gave their lives so that all America's children have the freedoms and liberties that they do. When people are praying for the troops that fight this day to stamp out oppression in the world, they pray for the troops as whole. There is no selection process in that.

Just as MLK himself was assassinated, maybe his character was, as well. Even if he was not perfect, he was human. He had the courage to follow through on his convictions, to correct an injustice. While some people may find it distasteful, he was not just a black leader, he was an American leader. That, IMO, is telling it like it was.

20 posted on 01/23/2005 8:27:29 AM PST by World'sGoneInsane (LET NO ONE BE FORGOTTEN, LET NO ONE FORGET)
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