Cherishing the Dream
August 29th 2010 09:22
47 years ago Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his most famous and stirring speech on the steps of the Lincoln Monument. Two separate events held in honor of the speech and the dream. I wonder which of the two celebrations Dr. King would have preferred.
As a minister, Dr. King would surely have been moved by Glenn Beck and the call for Americans of all colors to return to God and restore this country to the greatness the Founders intended. The crowd that gathered from all over the country was mostly white, but not entirely (in spite of accusations of "monochrome") and they were polite, courteous and sincere.
Then there was Rev. Al Sharpton, race-baiter extraordinaire, and his march in the streets of Washington DC. He began by criticizing Glenn Beck for "high jacking" Dr. King and his Dream. Later he complained that the Beck rally failed to fulfill the promise. I wonder what "promise" Rev. Al meant... Dr. King's own niece, Rev. Alveta King, spoke eloquently of her uncle and the dream that is an ingrained part of her family and her life. She understands what Glenn Beck is doing to restore honor and faith among the American people, and she approves (as would her Uncle, she is sure).
What was the dream that Dr. King spoke about so long ago? Would he watch the two gatherings today and see the fulfillment of his dream? Or how it has been twisted into something altogether different? The dream (or vision, if you prefer) was that all people could stand together with no consideration for anything but character. A world where the color of skin was as unimportant as the color of clothing. He wanted to see his children being able to stand where they chose, pursue their dreams, and enjoy success by their hard work, determination and abilities. Skin color (race) was never his priority, while character was the focus of his life's work.
Which of the rallies was devoted to character and which to color? Rev. Al Sharpton lead a march of mostly black folks through the city streets, his usual rhetoric blaring away. Yes, slavery was bad. It was also a long time ago and most people have managed to move on toward the future. Most people, that is, who don't expect everlasting freebies and entitlements due to their ancestors' misfortune.
Funny, I can't recall a single instance where Dr. King said that "people of color" were inferior or unable to take care of themselves. He was a strong man who didn't demand welfare checks, didn't abdicate his responsibilities as a father, and didn't consider abortion the most important political achievement of all time. Martin Luther King Jr. was a man of God, not a creation of social activism. He was very clear as to what he considered important for the future of his children and of the country as well.
Equality of opportunity, as promised in the Constitution. Freedom from tyranny as promised in the Bill of Rights. A nation of honest and honorable citizens leading their own lives without interference or "help" from the government. Character and integrity being the standards for judging a person, not the outward appearances of race or ancestry. These were the dreams Rev. King had for his children and all Americans.
I firmly believe that Dr. King was standing again on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial today, in spirit, and smiling at the progress we have made towards making his dream a reality. I doubt that he would have approved of the constant complaining, demands and race-baiting of Rev. Al. Dr. King knew quite well that equality comes from God, not government grants.
As a minister, Dr. King would surely have been moved by Glenn Beck and the call for Americans of all colors to return to God and restore this country to the greatness the Founders intended. The crowd that gathered from all over the country was mostly white, but not entirely (in spite of accusations of "monochrome") and they were polite, courteous and sincere.
Then there was Rev. Al Sharpton, race-baiter extraordinaire, and his march in the streets of Washington DC. He began by criticizing Glenn Beck for "high jacking" Dr. King and his Dream. Later he complained that the Beck rally failed to fulfill the promise. I wonder what "promise" Rev. Al meant... Dr. King's own niece, Rev. Alveta King, spoke eloquently of her uncle and the dream that is an ingrained part of her family and her life. She understands what Glenn Beck is doing to restore honor and faith among the American people, and she approves (as would her Uncle, she is sure).
What was the dream that Dr. King spoke about so long ago? Would he watch the two gatherings today and see the fulfillment of his dream? Or how it has been twisted into something altogether different? The dream (or vision, if you prefer) was that all people could stand together with no consideration for anything but character. A world where the color of skin was as unimportant as the color of clothing. He wanted to see his children being able to stand where they chose, pursue their dreams, and enjoy success by their hard work, determination and abilities. Skin color (race) was never his priority, while character was the focus of his life's work.
Which of the rallies was devoted to character and which to color? Rev. Al Sharpton lead a march of mostly black folks through the city streets, his usual rhetoric blaring away. Yes, slavery was bad. It was also a long time ago and most people have managed to move on toward the future. Most people, that is, who don't expect everlasting freebies and entitlements due to their ancestors' misfortune.
Funny, I can't recall a single instance where Dr. King said that "people of color" were inferior or unable to take care of themselves. He was a strong man who didn't demand welfare checks, didn't abdicate his responsibilities as a father, and didn't consider abortion the most important political achievement of all time. Martin Luther King Jr. was a man of God, not a creation of social activism. He was very clear as to what he considered important for the future of his children and of the country as well.
Equality of opportunity, as promised in the Constitution. Freedom from tyranny as promised in the Bill of Rights. A nation of honest and honorable citizens leading their own lives without interference or "help" from the government. Character and integrity being the standards for judging a person, not the outward appearances of race or ancestry. These were the dreams Rev. King had for his children and all Americans.
I firmly believe that Dr. King was standing again on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial today, in spirit, and smiling at the progress we have made towards making his dream a reality. I doubt that he would have approved of the constant complaining, demands and race-baiting of Rev. Al. Dr. King knew quite well that equality comes from God, not government grants.
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Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
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I thought you were on the right side of politics.
Down with government interference into the rights of plantation owners to employ who they want how they want. Free plantation owners!
It would be fun for you to take yourself back in time and write about that issue as if it was happening right now. Then again, I believe you're of African origin so, who would really read about it?
Don't forget, you're also not a Christian.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Or, perhaps you'd care to offer some proof that you have been endowed with the knowledge of who is and is not a Christian...?
Comment by Norm
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It's truly amazing to think, I'm a great success! It was never my intention to be on display for infinity. I'm not Allah, for God's sake.
To answer your question, I find it quite easy. I'm incredibly flexible and, as The Rainman says, an excellent driver, of course.
The question is, why do you think slavery was "bad"?
Is it still "bad"?
And, if "It was also a long time ago and most people have managed to move on toward the future," why is the Bible still relevant?
Considering the events and social structures the good book seems to support happened a long, long, long, long, long time ago in another country entirely.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by Norm
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"Yes, slavery was bad." Is the weak whimper of a beaten slave. Isn't that obvious to you? "Why was it bad?" You can't answer. Not worth a reply. Can't find the words to express the hurt and shame? I can't blame you for that. "Your idiocy should embarrass you." To my foolish mind, your mind is still a cotton-picking slave to the American nightmare. You, captive to your master's voice and vision, beg to differ. Gonna jump round turn around pick a bale a cotton. Gonna jump down turn around pick a bale again. Oh, Lordy. Sing with me.
So, you have accepted the conditions of your capture and enslavement and the sympathy of an "idiot". My condolences for your loss (of culture, liberty and language).
Yes, slavery was bad. Yes, I want to know what was so bad about it.
And don't forget it was the government of the day that had to "help" free the slaves. God knows, if it were up to the slaveholders and their shareholders slavery would still be an acceptable part of our lives as Christians. Too long ago to be important?
What is the cut-off period for past events having current relevance, in your eye?
By the way, I checked. And I don't think The Bible is set in America. The first part starts off in Africa, of all places, I think.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
You make so many completely ridiculous assumptions and ask idiotic questions ( like wanting to know what was bad about slavery). I think your racism is disgusting and stupid (it would be great for you to search your family tree and discover "Africans" in it!). Maybe then you wouldn't refer to them as "soulless". It amazes me that you had to research where the Bible was written! Especially since you have the gall to try to judge anyone else's Christianity!
Don't you ever get tired of displaying your ignorance? Or is ignorance all you have?
Comment by Norm
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You sound like a Jew to me, for the simple reason that you answer questions with questions. In case you're not aware of it, you and your people killed Christ. I hope you also know that a Jew is only one rung up from an African on the spiritual ladder.
At least I can see that you're making some progress. In case you need a history lesson, because I know that slavery was "a long time ago", African slaves were considered by Christians to have no soul. Hence the shameless lack of shame in acquiring their soulless services as slaves. I suppose some of us have moved so far into the future that we've forgotten what really happened. I wonder where exactly is the "misfortune" an African experiences when he or she is stolen from their home to turn their labour into profits? Is that what you call "misfortune"? God, I call it Christianity.
Still, the gaping holes in your arguments remain, my African-Jewish friend. For you still won't publicly admit what you now privately acknowledge. That The Bible has got nothing to do with America. Which is far less than the exploitation and abolition of slavery. Will you admit publicly that slavery happened not such a long time ago? Will you admit that more Africans died at the hands of Christians than Americans have died at the hands of Muslims?
But, anyway. I think there's still hope for you. Many Jewish-Africans see the light in time for Judgment Day. Perhaps, if you would make available your address I could send you a pamphlet?
And don't forget, as a Jew, you're probably a shade worse than an African. You've heard of Christ? You killed Christ!
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Hasn't anyone ever told you not to presume to know things about other people? Or to give up once you have made a complete fool of yourself? Well, Norm, you have made a horses patoot of yourself, more than once so perhaps I should assist you in learning something. Don't panic, even someone as thick skulled as you clearly are can learn (if you really want to.)
The lesson for today is manners. That's a nice thing that adults use when they want to associate with other adults. "Accusing" someone of being a member of any given race is merely an indication of very bad manners. You have exhibited this poor behavior repeatedly. Too bad your parents never taught you how to treat others. So allow me to help.
If an adult wants to say something, they say it clearly and concisely. Faced with misunderstanding or argument, an adult either backs down (if the subject isn't worth the trouble), or explains and defines their belief or position. This is done with manners.
Small, spoiled, foul tempered children tend to resort to insults, name calling and accusations when their argument is empty of value. If you'd like to be treated as an adult, it might be a good idea for you to behave like one. Can you understand that?
Now, let's try all this again, shall we? Do you have a pertinent comment on this post? Pertinent means having something to do with it, not just mindless attacks for the sake of engaging in mindless attacks.
Comment by Norm
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I don't suppose that means much to an African-Jew though.
I'm sure you, as an African-Jew, won't be offended when I state that if Americans want to "say something" they shoot off a gun, because the nuances of the English language, something that escapes them after declaring themselves "Independent" from England, are too subtle for their blunt, disorderly and slavish minds to handle effectively.
God Bless England!
One question, my Jewish-African friend, why was slavery so "bad"?
Shalom.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
As for Viet Nam, it was a disastrous exercise in stupidity that failed miserably. Going to war to fight to a draw is insane. If you go to war, go to win! It's the same mistake the liberal idiots are making now. They have such restrictive rules of engagement that the best anyone can hope for is a protracted conflict that costs lives and money for no results. Our panty-waist in chief can't find his rear end with both hands, so his pathetic failure as a wartime president is hardly a surprise. President Bush (41) should have never backed off and withdrawn without a complete victory. President Bush (43) allowed a bunch of Namby Pamby's to tie his hands when victory was still possible.
Norm, if you are only coming here to behave badly and get away with it, you should be ashamed of yourself (another grown-up thing). This latest comment at least has a little actual politics involved (although not the subject of the post).
Are you totally incapable of keeping on subject? Or is it ADD perhaps? Maybe you need to get your meds changed...
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
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Will you now admit that, because you called President Obama a "Namby-Pamby", a "panty-waist in chief" who "can't find his rear end with both hands" and a liberal "idiot", your argument is "empty of value"?
Will you acknowledge your "ancestors' misfortune" with an apology on behalf of those who stole them on your behalf?
Will you also acknowledge that, according to the latest findings by the Pew Forum on Religious and Public Life, Atheist and Agnostic Americans know more about Religion than their Christian counterparts?
Will you now recognise that Christianity is a filter that keeps out the light?
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
As I said before, some people have lives that don't start with www. Maybe you could find something, anything to do that doesn't include bothering me with your childish and silly games. Please?
Comment by Norm
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Will you acknowledge that treating people who are younger than you as though they are children is a form of slavery?
Will you answer any questions put to you or are just one of those automated devices that only has a limited range of responses?
Are you one of those soft toys that, when you squeeze, can only say things like, "God Bless America" or "Slavery Was Unfortunate"?
Will you admit that America stole California from Mexico?
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Stop wasting my time.
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
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I'm willing to acknowledge the US orchestrated a war with Japan in order to bomb Pearl Harbour, if you are.
I'll even give you a hug, if you promise not to say, "God Bless Our Rice Fields" or "Please Enter Your Four Digits."
Will you let me have the last word?
Sayonara.
Stop wasting my time. Stop sending me private messages - the contents of which are in accord with everything I say. And stop praying to me asking for a good yield of Canola. Canola is the Devil's crop.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief