"...you fail to be putting in context is the period that Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement occurred."
I beg to differ. I remember the times fairly well.
"You also fail to include the period of time between the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the 1960's."
Again, I beg to differ. That's the 100 year period of Democrat terrorism commited against American blacks.
"Had it not been for the civil rights movement back then, blacks would still be considered second class citizens."
Now this is a real non sequitur. That conclusion is without basis other than your say so. I happen to have confidence in the power of the Constitution to address and right grievences in the same fashion that the founders did when they privately addressed the inequities of their day. Of course, we knew that solution as the Civil War.
Assuming, OTOH, that what you say was true - that today's conditions are directly due to Dr. King, then he must also be saddled with the very real reverse discrimination that we employ today, the social segregation that blacks increasingly practice, the disintegration of the black family, etc., etc., etc.
"Whether you like it or not, the slaves helped to found this country, without the freedom of choice of even being here."
Never said one thing or another about slaves and their input. Of course, the same is true of all the Americans that came here as indentured servants or under penal sentence.
"No black man or any women had any input into the Constitution of this country."
Oh please - let's not go down that road because the same is true for nearly every modern nation. What is of note is that women aided and supported the American struggle in nearly every sphere of effort and thousands of blacks voluntarily fought and died for this country's Constitution from Crispus Attucks to the close of the Civil War. IOW, long before King and company arrived on the scene. There must have been something that animated them.
"Our forefathers had enough foresight to allow for ammendments to the very document that you hold so dear."
I hope you do too. If not, you might be in the wrong place.
"It is great that our Constitution is now all inclusive. It is no longer just a "white, man's" document."
It never was a "white man's document." If you disagree, could you please point out the section you refer to?
"...there are many people in other nations that are oppressed. Slowly but surely, we are enabling the oppressed to enjoy freedom."
I'm so glad we agree. Liberty is its own best advocate.
"Someone is not free just because the law says so."
So true. What is your explanation for the travails of black America today?
"The 60's were about true freedom."
Couldn't disagree more. The sixties were definitely NOT about freedom - quite the opposite. You're not much of a conservative are you?
"We cannot legislate fairness, but I and anyone else can speak up in support of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for ALL Americans."
These are my points - exactly. Current civil rights legislation is destructive to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for ALL Americans.
I won't go line by line on your post. While I am talking about the past, you basically agree. You disagree that without the civil rights movement, blacks would still be considered a second class. They were considered a second class by segregation. Given the resistance to the civil liberties movement back then, it seems reasonable to deduct that progress would have been little, if any, had it not been for MLK and others during that time.
I have not addressed the present in my past posts, which I think is what you are mainly concerned about. Currently, there are many children who are locked into a social pattern. Fortunately, many have been able to break this pattern through education and opportunity. I do not believe a child would want to remain poor and underpriviledged (of any race), if given the opportunity to succeed.
Schools cannot be the cure for all social ills. However, in the poor neighborhoods, mentoring and programs offering some hope of social improvement through counseling would be better than job quotas. Recreational programs offering life skills, and motivation would be a consideration. There are PAL's (Police Athletic Leagues), there should be some other leagues for the kids who are poor and are not athletic. How about a "Positive Attitude League"?
I have not had the time to study up on today's gangs, crime, etc. However, IMO, spending money on fostering hope in poor neighborhoods for children that feel there is no hope, would be better spent, than on the criminal/penal system later. I grew up in a poor neighborhood, and I know many of the kids (both black and white) succeeded and moved away. There were others who I remember being so very bright and talented that didn't. School aptitude tests could be something considered.
Crime, drugs, etc., will never be completely wiped out. However, as a society we have always spent money on the penal system. Many innocent lives are spent on social ills. The money we spend on the poor children today, will be saved later.
So, I'm jumping off the soapbox. Take what I have said, or leave it. I haven't really sat and thought about much of this in a very long time. So in the end, a post criticizing Martin Luther King, was a good thing for me to read.