Posted on 02/13/2006 8:30:02 AM PST by Chi-townChief
Politics, politics and more. Coretta Scott King's funeral was a political junkies' feast. Last Tuesday's show headlined one sitting president, three former presidents, buoyed by a raft of plots and subplots. The six-hour celebration was ripe, exquisite political theatre.
When was the last time a major civil rights event in America found the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. sitting on his hands in the front row? Civil rights icons Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and Harry Belafonte were also painfully absent from the podium. Belafonte, the 78-year-old entertainer and activist, was close to the King family -- he comforted Coretta Scott King at her murdered husband's funeral in 1968.
King watchers opine that Belafonte was "disinvited" from the ceremony for fear that he would antagonize President Bush. The family knew Bush wouldn't sit on the same stage with Harry (the lion that roars) Belafonte after he pilloried the Bush presidency. In a speech last month, the lion declared that Bush was a "liar" and "the greatest terrorist in the world."
Lewis, the Atlanta-based Democratic congressman, marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and is a veteran of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee Freedom Rides.
Of late, Lewis has been tussling with King's children over the state of their father's papers at the Atlanta-based King Center, according to MLK's Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Taylor Branch. The roof of the dilapidated complex is leaking, endangering a priceless trove of historical documents and audiotapes, Branch told me during his book tour in Chicago last week. "John is trying to talk [the family] into giving up control," Branch said.
Everyone knows that bad blood boils between Jackson and the Kings. Yet even longtime King watchers were agape that "Rev" was muzzled at the funeral. Note the irony: The family instead asked the Chicago priest whom some affectionately have dubbed the "white Jesse Jackson" for a turn at the dais.
The Rev. Michael Pfleger, the longtime pastor of St. Sabina Church, an African-American enclave in Auburn-Gresham, was on the program, not because of his movement credentials, but because of his enduring personal friendship with Coretta Scott King. Pfleger recalled his visits to King's Atlanta home and many "precious late-night conversations on the phone."
Pfleger denounces critics who claim the politicians hijacked King's homecoming. The civil rights movement has a long and esteemed history of using assassinations, murders and funerals toward political ends. Mrs. King was a fervent anti-war crusader who abhorred Bush's war. "How can you talk about Coretta and not talk about politics? That's absolutely immoral," Pfleger says.
Malaak Shabazz, one of Malcolm X's six daughters, spoke several hours into the ceremony. Her speech, while long and self-involved, also set the stage for a tender and historically significant moment. Fifty years into the civil rights movement, she revealed, its two first families now share an enduring affection. Coretta Scott King, whom Malcolm's girls called "auntie," sent notes and birthday cards to them up until the end. The daughters of the martyrs bonded, Shabazz told the hushed crowd. The voice of nonviolence has reconciled with the voice of armed struggle.
You heard it here first: The highlight of the King spectacle was the premiere of the Bill and Hill Show. To a roaring ovation, Clinton escorted his wife to the podium and proclaimed his pride in being among presidents. "I'm honored to be here with my president, and my former presidents," then nodded to his wife, as if to anoint a future president.
Believe me, Bill Clinton can do it. The Clintons were testing the presidential waters with the oldest ploy in American advertising: Buy one, get one free. A twofer. Vote for Hill, and you get Bill.
They are pitching a dual presidency. And what better place for "America's first black president" to launch this trial balloon than before a mostly black audience of 10,000 at the Birth Missionary Baptist Church, along with millions more in TV-land?
Clinton's performance was brilliant, as usual. No other Democrat possesses his overwhelming charisma and oratorical talents. I'm betting Bill Clinton can single-handedly secure the Democratic nomination for his wife. Be assured the Clinton team will refine the act and take it on the road.
It's coming soon to a town near you.
mailto:lauraswashington@aol.com
Charisma doesn't cover one's bad decisions/beliefs.
Jackson wasn't invited, because of his LIES to the press on the day MLK was murdered....
He led the world into believing MLK "died in his arms" - faked bloody shirt and all - then grasped the lead to become his replacement....
The family NEVER forgave him....
He horned in on their "money machine" turf..
Semper Fi
As they'd say on Seinfeld, "He has the kavorka!"
Mornng RR,
I believe king told jesse the (race card) player, "you have no love."
king and andrew young were very photographic together at "Mount Eagle" Tennessee. Commie seminar classes.
As I See It,
NSNR-THM
So, according to Laura Washington, the only problem with the funeral was that it wasn't politicized enough.
Morning Beth,
In reality what else could we expect from the party of Lenin, death and public assistance vote garnering?
As I See It,
NSNR-THM
Just like in ALL walks of life and in ALL periods of human history, there are those that DO and those that EXPLOIT!!!
I know but it still amazes me that so many people will listen and for the these commies...
Ping for later read.
Bill may be capable of singlehandedly getting his wife the nomination, but its a long way from nomination to the White House.
You give Dems to much credit...there is no line to be crossed with liberal Dems. The ends always justify the means to them. And to all who say Coretta would be unhappy to see her funeral used in this way...You're wrong. She'd have loved it. IT WAS A SET-UP. Again, our enemies use our kindness against us. They knew Bush would come and say all the right things...then BAM...they'd get him. Why is anybody surprised at this?
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