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Martin Luther King, Jr.
As we remember Martin Luther King, Jr., we most likely remember him through the lens of our own experience.
I was a student, sitting in a class room at Bellevue Community College. It seems that we were more innocent people in those days. At least it was so in the Yakima Valley where I grew up.
I was not prepared for the way in which my professor responded to the news that Dr. King had been killed.
As he began to talk about the tragedy, he became more and more enraged. Finally, in a fit of rage and anger, he ran to the front of the classroom, throwing chairs, tipping over desks and finally standing on a chair, he ripped the American flag from the wall and threw it on the floor.
Standing on the flag as though cleaning his shoes on a door mat, he began the most violent attack on our country that I had ever heard at that time in my life. He continued through much of the class time, yelling, swearing and advocating violence.
I was reminded that it was this kind of misunderstanding that had brought King back to Memphis.
In March of 1968, he had led what was supposed to be a peaceful protest march. Unfortunately, black militants turned the march into a small riot, fighting with police and looting stores.
As we know, Martin Luther King Jr., advocated "peaceful" protest.
In April, he returned to Memphis, hoping to reverse the negatives from the previous march. On April 3, 1968, he spoke to over 2,000 people at a mall, many of whom were sanitation workers who had gone on strike for better wages.
The next day he would be killed.
There were then and perhaps now, those among us who misunderstood his mission and his ways. Whether it was black militants in Memphis or a white professor 2,000 miles away in Bellevue, Washington, his message could have been clear. If only they would have been listening.
Perhaps the closing remarks of his last speech best describes the man and his mission.
"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead.
But it doesn't matter to me now. Because I've been to the mountain top. And I
don't mind. Like anybody, I want to live a long life. Longevity has it's place.
But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want God's will. And He's allowed
me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised
land,. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that, we,
as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy tonight. I'm not
worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory
of the coming of the Lord" Martin Luther King,
Jr. April 3, 1968
Click here view Martin Luther King's comments from his last speech.
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Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom
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4 Comments:
Many politically active liberals foam at the mouth when Conservatives quote King . But uou have to wonder how the media of today would handle the coverage of him now .
Martin Luther King Said at Birmingham
"A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law.… [S]egregation is not only politically, economically, and sociologically unsound, it is morally wrong and sinful
I always find it a little disconcerting when the ideological descendants of King's opposition, namely social and religous conservatives, try to lay claim to the man's legacy.
Jeff ,
I hear that all the time for the better then thous . Same Folks often who use Reagan as a link to racism because he supported states rights , which all liberals know anyone who uses that in a state in Mississippi is using it to defend segration . But if you investigate the life of Reagan , nothing could be even considered that of his personal beliefs . amazing what politics do to some souls .
I just listened to speech by King , his political views aside , he talked about Love , foregiveness , and Hope . Yes he was condemning the use of force in North Vietnam , and used it to link to all the gains of recent for the poor , now being washed away . I happen to be against that war when it was being fought , and I happen to be against this one . But what I loved about his speech was his Love for America , providing Hope , the man was actually a patriot . I wonder how todays Media Matter and moveon'org folks of the left would treat him for defending America today .
He spoke about property rights , have to say I disagree with there , but I am not sure of the context was back then . I was only 12 in 1967 .
But your right , he was liberal , I am a conservative true and true .
He Alsospoke about he was a citizen of the world , the message was not to inspire the Viet Cong , I am sure it was made by some to say that . I am sure even conservatives tried to that to him , but I would not call Nixon or LBJ a conservative .
Because conservatives find that his real message , the one that would be seen 200 years from now a greater message Jeff , that we are citizens of the world , and we should look out how we treat those we disagree with , more give and take is a good idea .
I admire a liberal political man , because he did promote Love , Forgiveness ,and Hope , I find it interesting that liberals feel threatened by it , like all American Heroes have to be only admired by who we vote for and idealogically see the issues of the day .
How sad , you missed his message my friend .
Mick,
Move On would certainly have editorial opinions, but Media Matters would simply accurately report what he said.
You cannot show any uncorrected inaccuracies on Media Matters. They strive to be absolutely factual. Claims to the contrary without proof are merely false opinion.
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