A great man's dream has been hijacked, manipulated and distorted in the name of "historic" expedience.
Dr. King's dream was for a person not to be judged by the color of his or her's skin but by the content of their character. Dr. King's dream was for a true color blind society. It's amazing how such a simple concept has been so vastly misinterpreted by so many people. Obama hasn't been judged by who he is as a person, it has all been about his race and how "historic" he is. Because of the color of Obama's skin, many people have already anointed him as a great President even before being sworn in. Judging a person based on race in a positive light is really no different then judging them in a negative light based on race. Both perspectives still come down to the focal point of "race" and not the "person". No President Elect has ever been fonded over to the extreme as Barack Obama has. Schools and roads have been renamed in his honor based on the color of his skin. When I see shirts with Barack Obama and Dr. King together, I shake my head and laugh. I'm willing to bet that tomorrow the media is going to go out of it's way to claim that Dr. King's dream has come true. A great number of people will buy into the myth. If the treatment of Barack Obama was mainly due to his character and beliefs, then it could be said that Dr. King's dream has come true. This is not the case. At the 1:14 markin this video of Dr. King's famous I have a Dream Speech, he said the words that I have based my life on.
posted by Alpha Conservative Male at 11:09 PM
19 Comments:
Dr. King suffered from many trials and tribs. Most from other black people who were jealous of him and called him "Houise nigga", a coward, yet he spoke kindly of them all. Malcolm X and the Muslims at Towson University were among a few. There is no difference between the KKK and NOI as they both hate and both hated Dr. King. Most people don't know that the KKK and NOI met and supported each other's goals of a separate America. KKK even donated to the NOI. Today, race hustlers are taking us backwards even with a truly African-American President. they will still make victims of Blacks. This is why the NOI started the crap that Christianity was a white man's religion to use race to recruit. Today, the same ones who called ?Dr. King names have been kicked out of Islam by the suicide bomber nation who called the people who looked like Dr. King an ape, ugly, raisin headed, pug-nosed slaved created black for hellfire. Arab Muslims do it because the black Muslims allow it and the weak black Christians say and do nothing unless it is a European white. Arabs and North Africans are Caucasians and Black Muslims dont even read enough to know it. Arabs laugh at the Blacks and Africans and the Harvard elite as they buy them with the money we send them each time we fill up.
The white convert to Islam is a slap in the face of all female Muslims who have not been allowed to even attend a mosque, she is speaking on Tuesday. How insulting! Muhammad said all black women are STUPID! Tabari 1:280 and black men are less thaN A DONKEY'S PENIS iSHAQ 243! Satan is Allah Sura 3:54.
Remember MLK was a Republican, anti-abortion and pro-Israel. So it's hard to imagine MLK would set aside his principles and support Obama based on the color of his skin, and not the content of his character.
So here we are once again. Another MLK holiday and the right-wing conservatives hard at work distorting Dr. King's words, deed's and legacy.
However, this January circumstances are far, far different from the past fourth year American annual tradition. For the first time in American history a Black man will be sworn in as President of the United States of America. This is truly "INDEED" the embodiment of the dream that Dr. King proposed a few short decades ago.
CB;"I'm willing to bet that tomorrow the media is going to go out of it's way to claim that Dr. King's dream has come true. A great number of people will buy into the myth."
Still we have some who have taken a stance that Dr. King's dream has not been realized. How can this be said when Barak Obama, clearly a "Black" man, is taking the oath of office to become president? The right-wing conservative answers are far to simplistic, misleading and at best...totally FALSE!
-Here we go again Tyrone! Prove me wrong and I will concede!-
Conservative Falsehoods-
1. Barak Obama is nothing like MLK because Obama supports abortion.
King died before the Roe vs. Wade decision, and, to the best of my knowledge, made no comments on abortion, yet he was an ardent supporter of Planned Parenthood. He even won their Margaret Sanger Award in 1966 and had his wife give a speech entitled, Family Planning – A Special and Urgent Concern which King wrote. In the speech, he did not compare the civil rights movement to the struggle of Christian Conservatives, but he did say "there is a striking kinship between our movement and Margaret Sanger's early efforts."
2. Obama belonged to an "anti-American radical church" for 20 years.
On April 4th, 1967, at the height of the Vietnam War, Dr. King gave a speech at Riverside Church in New York City entitled, Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence, in which he asked young American men to not to join the armed forces and/or avoid the draft by becoming "conscientious objectors." Dr. king further advised;
"I recommend it to all who find the American course in Vietnam a dishonorable and unjust one."
In addition, if one were to measure the tone and rhetoric of the speeches and sermons of a 1960's Dexter Ave. or Ebenezer Church, with a 2008 Trinity United Church sermon, without doubt you would find stark similarities.
3. Obama has "questionable and radical" associations.
One of Dr. Kings "closest" and behind the scenes confidant was Bayard Rustin. Rustin was a supporter of democratic socialism, and had ties to the Communist Party USA. It was Rustin that introduced King to CPUSA leader Stanley Levison. Dr. King also met with, spoke frequently with, and wrote to, NOI leader Elijah Muhammad as well as leaders in the Black Panther Party.
4. Obama is a not like Dr. King because Obama is a "socialist" and promotes "distribution of wealth".
It has been written and stated by those who were on Dr. Kings staff and other close to him that he was in favor of "restructuring" the American economic system. Dr. King HAD STATED on more than one occasion,
"Now this means that we are treading in difficult water, because it really means that we are saying that something is wrong…with capitalism. There must be a better distribution of wealth and maybe America must move toward a Democratic Socialism."
Dr. King on "Reparations";
"The payment should be in the form of a massive program by the government of special, compensatory measures which could be regarded as a settlement in accordance with the accepted practice of common law."
5. Obama is not like Dr King because Obama is an "elitist" and doesn't connect with the "average" working-class American.
That one is just about silliest accusation the right-wing has come up with to date! Barak Obama began his public career as... A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER!!! The same occupation his detractors attempted to use a label of inexperience. The same occupation and label that can easily be applied to.....DR. KING!!!!
6. Dr. King's dream was for a "person" not to be judged by the color of his or her's skin but by the content of their character."
Tyrone, I want you to listen closely to Dr. Kings speech. Dr. King does not use the term "PERSON". Dr. King states, (and I'm quoting DIRECTLY!);
"I have a dream....my four little children, one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character...I have a dream today"
Now, take those exact words "as stated" by Dr. King himself, and apply them to the fact that Dr. King also stated on more that one occasion;
“I am sorry to have to say that the vast majority of white Americans are racist, either consciously or unconsciously.”
So "WHO" do you think Dr. King was referring to by saying "color of their skin"?? He specifically said "my four children." He was talking about "BLACK PEOPLE" being judged by Whites! He was informing the people of this nation to accept "US", (aka Blacks) as part of this society.
CB;Dr. King's dream was for a true color blind society. It's amazing how such a simple concept has been so vastly misinterpreted by so many people.
Very true! Unfortunately, you are one of those who misinterpret his dream. You've misinterpreted his speeches, ideas, history, works, life, deeds, and legacy.
The "TRUTH" is Dr. King's persona and legacy has been "Hi-Jacked" by the right-wing neo-conservative propaganda machine. Your very own National Black Republican Association promoted a "LIE" in a TV/Radio ad stating that Dr. King was a Republican, an idea that Dr. Kings own family denies.
So, in "FACT" Barak Obama is more like Dr. King than what the right-wing give's him credit for! So in actuality Tyrone if one wishes to live his or her life according to the legacy and principles of Dr. King, you need to look no further than the President of the United States...Barak Obama!!!!
In Detroit Muslims had an anti Dr. King Parade. Read about on BARE NAKE ISLAM. Now the immigrant Muslims are marching against Dr. King in favor of Hamas with the help of useful idiots called black Muslims. A religion that forbids sex and marriage between an white Arab and an ugly raisin head, kinky pug nosed slave. Muslims said before slaves were brought to USA that allah created blacks to be slaves to whites and sent these rules along with the slaves when sold to Europeans. According to Islam, Africans were once light-skinned and handsome. 889, AH Ibn Qutaybah said then allah the most high changed his complexion to ugly and mishapen, because they live in a hot country. The heat overcooks them in the womb, and curls their hair. The Zanji are people of black color, flat noses and kinky hair. THIS IS ISLAM AND blacks in america join it and are planning to start blowing up churches like then KKK did. Will we allow it. So called moderate Muslims make laws and when we dont accept them, they call in the radical to terrorize. Deceitful is Islam. thanks to the peanut President who started feeling sorry for Muslims and hated Israel.
Blair said;"Remember MLK was a Republican, anti-abortion and pro-Israel."
That's a .333 batting average Blair...
As far as Dr. King being a "Republican", again, many "present day" right-wingers have manipulated the idea to suit their agenda.
In the years post Reconstruction, and prior to the beginnings of the Civil Rights struggles, most Blacks were indeed "Republicans." (which, by the way, was the party of Lincoln...you know, the party that freed the slaves....)
Dr. King was born in 1929, growing up in the politically "Democratic" racist South. Common sense would tell you that Dr. King, and for that matter, ALL BLACKS IN THAT ERA WERE OF ANY OTHER POLITICAL PERSUASION, OTHER THAN A SOUTHERN DEMOCRAT! During that era it was the Southern Democrats that kept segregation practices alive.
However, by the late 1940's up until the early 1960's, the political tide in the south made a drastic turn. But that's another story that you can read about on your own.
Still, by today's political standards, Dr. King would no more be a Republican than Strom Thurmond would be a Democrat!!
The "anti-abortion" statement is, for lack of a better term, A LIE! That's not to say that I am calling you a lie Blair. What has occurred is a concerted effort by right-wing pundit's and think tanks to promote and idea to sway religious minded Black voters to the Republican party.
The fact is Dr. King supported Planned Parenthood's efforts and accepted the Margaret Sanger award from the organization. Now really, does that sound like someone who is "anti-abortion"???
I agree, P. Anthony, and these desperate smoke-and-mirror ploys that sometimes dupe people like Blair (and this blog's host, for that matter) are a sign of the times for the GOP, which claims only 38 percent of the country's registered voters (compared to the 51 percent who lean Democratic). The lies and disinformation are borderline un-American. And I write "borderline" only to be polite.
Those who believe today’s Republican party is aligned philosophically with Lincoln’s Republican party clearly are not students of history. Obviously, starting with the Civil War era, blacks aligned themselves unanimously with the abolitionist Republicans. And the Democratic party back then was in favor of slavery and was the party of choice for the fledgling Ku Klux Klan. But the shift began in the 1890s, and then in earnest in 1912, and more so in the 1930s with FDR’s New Deal. The Democratic Party’s last bastion of the old guard, the ones responsible for blocking social and political progress of black Southerners and who famously brought in the water hoses and the dogs -- the Dixiecrats -- either reformed or fled the party for good in the mid-1960s when LBJ committed to civil rights legislation.
Martin Luther King Jr. voted for Kennedy in 1960. He publicly denounced the GOP in ’64 and voted for Johnson. He no doubt would have fully supported Bobby Kennedy in 1968. Blair, MLK was NOT a Republican.
Had King lived into his 40s (in the 1970s) his 50s (in the 1980s) and his 60s (the 1990s) we no doubt would have been benefitted by what he had stated would have been his next agenda: a war on poverty. Does this sound anything remotely like the platform of the Republican party over the past 40 years?!?
Martin Luther King Jr. can only be smiling from up above as so many Americans can't help but shed tears of joy while celebrating his birthday today. Tomorrow, a man of African heritage, a thinker, someone who inspires the masses to hope for a better tomorrow by acting today will become president. Barack Obama was not elected on the basis of his skin color, which is what this blog's host so fervently claims. The celebration of this American milestone is only ENHANCED by the fact that he won his political campaign by sticking to the issues of the day, proving his mettle on a national stage, and beating the pants off the outflanked and mismanaged GOP.
How could ANYONE who supports Dr. King's ideals and legacy DARE to utter that "the dream has been hijacked?" CB, shame on you!
Happy Martin Luther King Day, everyone. This is truly a time to savor. And then on Wednesday, we get back to work.
anon "Dr. King suffered from many trials and tribs. Most from other black people who were jealous of him and called him "Houise nigga", a coward, yet he spoke kindly of them all. Malcolm X and the Muslims at Towson University were among a few."
Most blacks in today's society would relate more to Malcolm X's militant style then King's peaceful and non violent approach. I wonder how would Dr. King feel about the existence of the Congressional Black Caucus if he was alive today.
anon"There is no difference between the KKK and NOI as they both hate and both hated Dr. King. Most people don't know that the KKK and NOI met and supported each other's goals of a separate America. KKK even donated to the NOI."
To white and black liberals there is a huge difference. In their warped mind of thinking, a black racist group like the Nation of Islam can't be racist. Only the KKK can because it's a white organization. White and black liberals would never condemn Bobby Rush and the racist black clergy in Illinois for demanding that Blago appoint another black to Obama's Senate seat. If whites in Illinois would have made the same demand to Dick Durbin's Senate seat, it would have been a national outrage. Racism is bad enough, but racism shielded by liberal hypocrisy is just a bad if not worse.
Blair "Remember MLK was a Republican, anti-abortion and pro-Israel. So it's hard to imagine MLK would set aside his principles and support Obama based on the color of his skin, and not the content of his character."
Very true Blair, but don't expect liberals to understand or even care about that.
P Allen "So here we are once again. Another MLK holiday and the right-wing conservatives hard at work distorting Dr. King's words, deed's and legacy."
This coming from a person that is judging Obama based on the color of his skin. lol Funny allen.
P Allen "For the first time in American history a Black man will be sworn in as President of the United States of America. This is truly "INDEED" the embodiment of the dream that Dr. King proposed a few short decades ago. "
Wrong again allen. Dr. King would have supported Obama being elected if people were voting on him based on who he is NOT what he is. The reason Obama becoming President isn't a big deal to me allen is, because I knew it was going to happen. To people like you, you probably thought it would never happen. In a way the praise of Obama is kind of fake. If a black conservative was elected President rather then Obama. the same blacks that celebrate Obama would be the first to work hard to elect the white liberal. Don't you hate it when I bring the truth allen? Obama is merely being celebrated as being the first black liberal elected.
Here we go again Tyrone! Prove me wrong and I will concede!-
Conservative Falsehoods-
1. Barak Obama is nothing like MLK because Obama supports abortion.
King died before the Roe vs. Wade decision, and, to the best of my knowledge, made no comments on abortion, yet he was an ardent supporter of Planned Parenthood.
If he ws an ardent supporter of Planned Parenthood, then it should be no problem in finding evidence that he supported abortion or infanitcide like Obama does, right allen?
"He even won their Margaret Sanger Award in 1966 and had his wife give a speech entitled, Family Planning – A Special and Urgent Concern which King wrote. In the speech, he did not compare the civil rights movement to the struggle of Christian Conservatives, but he did say "there is a striking kinship between our movement and Margaret Sanger's early efforts."
Birth Control and abortion are two completely different things. Once again, Obama supports abortion, late term abortion and infanticide. Present the evidence that Dr. King supports it as well allen.
2. Obama belonged to an "anti-American radical church" for 20 years.
Read the black value system of Trinity United. Also the then current pastor has always condemned the United States. Lets see if I recall what Wright said
"GOD DAM AMERICA FOR KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE", He also attacked America for bobming Japan during WW2. I can go on an on an on allen if you really want me too.
P Allen "true! Unfortunately, you are one of those who misinterpret his dream. You've misinterpreted his speeches, ideas, history, works, life, deeds, and legacy."
I guess we are going to have a major difference of opinion.
P Allen "The "TRUTH" is Dr. King's persona and legacy has been "Hi-Jacked" by the right-wing neo-conservative propaganda machine."
Sorry to burst your ideological bubble, but I'm a paleo not a neo allen. You really stepped into that one. Are you that narrow minded that you think there is only one kind of conservative allen?
P Allen "Your very own National Black Republican Association promoted a "LIE" in a TV/Radio ad stating that Dr. King was a Republican, an idea that Dr. Kings own family denies."
I could die tomorrow, and my family could deny I was a conservative. When a person goes into a voting booth, only that person knows what their vote is going to be. If there is a voter registration card available for Dr. King, this dispute can easily be resolved allen. I wonder why did you say that the National Black Republican Association "was mines"? I'm not even apart of the organization allen lol lol Also, I told you many times before. I'm a conservative first and foremost.
P Allen "So, in "FACT" Barak Obama is more like Dr. King than what the right-wing give's him credit for! So in actuality Tyrone if one wishes to live his or her life according to the legacy and principles of Dr. King, you need to look no further than the President of the United States...Barak Obama!!
And still your so called FACT is based to much on opinion. As for the Commander in blow Barack Obama, he's too busy trying to compare himself the Abraham Lincoln more so then Dr. King. Jimmy Carter was the President for a season as well. Then America came to it's senses four years later. The same will happen here. Platitudes and speeches don't fix economy allen. Its all on him now. There is no bush or republicans to blame. The massive screw up is about to happen, and I have my binoculars and popcorn ready. I just need to get something to drink, and I will be all set.
CB;"Dr. King would have supported Obama being elected if people were voting on him based on who he is NOT what he is."
More conjecture Tyrone???
First off, Dr. King is not here to say what he "would have" or "would not have" supported. What we have to draw from is his written words, statements and chronicles of his works and deeds. Such writings as follows;
"If a city has a 30% Negro population, then it is logical to assume that Negroes should have at least 30% of the jobs in any particular company, and jobs in all categories rather than only in menial areas."
-Playboy Magazine, 1968-
"No amount of gold could provide an adequate compensation for the exploitation and humiliation of the Negro in America down through the centuries…Yet a price can be placed on unpaid wages. The ancient common law has always provided a remedy for the appropriation of a the labor of one human being by another. This law should be made to apply for American Negroes. The payment should be in the form of a massive program by the government of special, compensatory measures which could be regarded as a settlement in accordance with the accepted practice of common law."
-Why We Cant Wait- , MLK, 1964
Dr. King lived his public life as a "Black Man" first and foremost. He thought as a Black man. He fought as a Black man. He spoke out as a Black man. He was jailed as a Black man. He will killed because he was a BLACK MAN!
Dr. King lived to see the age of 39. Seeing that he had began his earnest quest as a man in his early 20's, it would not be to far fetched to believe that had he lived to see 100 years old, that his ideas, views and personal perceptions would not have wavered. After nearly twenty years of leading a struggle for Civil Rights, it's common sense to believe that King would have continued along that same path.
Thus, it is a "fact" that if Dr. King were alive today, you and all other conservatives would view him as being no different that Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson or those of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Of all of the men and women that worked closely with Dr. King that are alive today, not ONE (to my knowledge) have rejected Barak Obama as being a worthy recipient of Dr. Kings dream. That's not to say that Obama is an "equivalent" of Dr. King. Yet, if he were alive today there are far more reasons to believe that Dr. King would approve of Barak Obama!
CB;Once again, Obama supports abortion, late term abortion and infanticide. Present the evidence that Dr. King supports it as well allen.
First you would have to show me a Bill or law that supports "infanticide." Not a Bill that you "misinterpret" as infanticide, but one that specifically supports the said practice.
You can call Obama a liar all you want...that's your opinion. Can you produce a document signed by Barak Obama that by law supports "infanticide". (look out, baited question...)
CB;"Birth Control and abortion are two completely different things"
Hmmmm... really??
"I wonder why planned parenthood doesn't change their name to "planned abortions" instead? Doesn't that sound like a more "appropiate"name?"
-Tyrone, "Barrack Obama's mental hangup with five year olds", 7-24-2007-
You know darn well Planned Parenthood is viewed as an abortion mill by conservatives. Dont' even try playing that game.
You haven't stooped to Bull&%!#-ing me have you Tyrone? I respectfully ask to keep this thing fair and on the up & up...okay?
CB;"I could die tomorrow, and my family could deny I was a conservative.
Lord forbid if you did...
But, with all of your thoughts and essays achieved and cached here and throughout "cyberspace", it would be pretty difficult to label your writings and ideas as "Liberal."
I noticed Martin Luther King mentioned God a lot the Democrat Party of Today hates God. I seriously doubt Martin Luther King would have anything in common with the Democratic Party of Today. I don't know if he's a Republican or not but I do know this that a man of God wouldn't support the Abominations that Obama champions.
I'm not saying the Republican Party is on God's side either but they are more friendly to people of the faith than the Democratic party and the Rhinos like John McCain will ever be.
Eponymous "I agree, P. Anthony, and these desperate smoke-and-mirror ploys that sometimes dupe people like Blair (and this blog's host, for that matter) are a sign of the times for the GOP, "
Desperate? Desperate about what exactly eponymous? Please apply the word and how it applies.
Eponymous"which claims only 38 percent of the country's registered voters (compared to the 51 percent who lean Democratic).
Wrong on you numbers. You fail to mention the percentage of people that are independents. You also didn't mention the percentage of those that are democrats and republicans, the leaning catch word is extremely misleading. Nice attempt. Obama won by 7% in the popular vote. Republicans did turn off voters by acting like Democrats and abandoning conservatism. McCain is nothing more then an older white republican version of Obama. That is why he lost. Once again, facts are facts, and try not to play lose with them.
Eponymous"The lies and disinformation are borderline un-American. And I write "borderline" only to be polite."
Lies like the percentage of people that "lean" towards democrats you mean?
Eponymous "Those who believe today’s Republican party is aligned philosophically with Lincoln’s Republican party clearly are not students of history."
Seeing that today's Democrat Party has a philosophy of pacifism and appeasement, it is highly unlikely that Obama or any other Democrat of today would have waged war on the south.
Eponymous "Obviously, starting with the Civil War era, blacks aligned themselves unanimously with the abolitionist Republicans. And the Democratic party back then was in favor of slavery and was the party of choice for the fledgling Ku Klux Klan. But the shift began in the 1890s, and then in earnest in 1912, and more so in the 1930s with FDR’s New Deal. The Democratic Party’s last bastion of the old guard, the ones responsible for blocking social and political progress of black Southerners and who famously brought in the water hoses and the dogs -- the Dixiecrats -- either reformed or fled the party for good in the mid-1960s when LBJ committed to civil rights legislation."
Most of your account on history is correct except for some key facts you left out by "accident"? There are very very very few to none former Dixiecrats alive in 2009 that are Republicans or Democrats. If a Dixiecrat was 45 years old in 1965, he would be 99 years old right now. Dixiecrats got the tag name of bitter OLD white men. Even if a Dixiecrat was 25 years old in 1965, he would be 69 years old right now. Most Republicans are under 50 years old.In other words, the numbers don't support the history revisionist claim. Furthermore people try to make the great claim of the Dixiecrats switched to the Republican Party because of Strom Thurmond. What is never mentioned is that Strom Thurmond never had a racist record while as a Republican for the 39 years until he died in 2003. I can go one step further, and I will. There is no proof that Republicans after 1964 switched parties themselves and became Democrats. From 1964 to 2009, there has been no racist legislation brought forth, sponsored or co sponsored by Republicans. One more fact while I'm at it. The 1964 Civil Rights act got to LBJ's desk to sign because of the efforts of the Republican Party. It was Republican Senator Everett Dirskon of Illinois that got the bill through congress and a Democrat Robert Byrd filibuster. It was Ronald Wilson Reagan that signed into law making Dr. King Day a national holiday in the first place. Also it was Republican President Dwight Eisenhower that established the United States Civil Rights in Commission. You picked the wrong person to get on your soap box against eponymous. I give you two points for bravery.
Eponymous "Martin Luther King Jr. voted for Kennedy in 1960. He publicly denounced the GOP in ’64 and voted for Johnson. He no doubt would have fully supported Bobby Kennedy in 1968. Blair, MLK was NOT a Republican."
I never said Dr. King was a Republican. Read my text. This is an example of you assuming instead of asking. Also to what you said about King denouncing the GOP, can you please provide a link to validate that claim. Thanks so much,
eponymous "Had King lived into his 40s (in the 1970s) his 50s (in the 1980s) and his 60s (the 1990s) we no doubt would have been benefitted by what he had stated would have been his next agenda: a war on poverty. Does this sound anything remotely like the platform of the Republican party over the past 40 years?!?"
The war on poverty is a joke. There will always be poverty. If the war on poverty actually worked. liberals in this country wouldn't always be crying about "redistribution of wealth". Also there would be no ghettos or slums in this country like there are now. Dam that was to easy. Actually the Republican platform is about self empowerment not social dependency on the government like the Democrat platform, sound familiar? If a person is empowered to provide for him or herself, that person can create their own wealth not rely on others. One philosophy believes in the person, and the other philosophy believes in government. Your really bating 0 for 4 there eponymous.
eponymous "Martin Luther King Jr. can only be smiling from up above as so many Americans can't help but shed tears of joy while celebrating his birthday today.
In your opinion.
eponymous "tomorrow, a man of African heritage, a thinker, someone who inspires the masses to hope for a better tomorrow by acting today will become president. "
A thinker? Mostly everybody is a "thinker", geez. Also, Obama inspires the "masses" to do what exactly? What is "hoping for a better tomorrow". That sounds like vintage Bill Clinton and "a place called hope" Let's see what we got here. We got
1.Hope
2. Change
3. Inspire
4. Hope and Change
5. Believe
Thank God I'm an analytical free thinker!!!!!
Eponymouse" Barack Obama was not elected on the basis of his skin color,"
Oh really eponymous? Why did ludicrous say "let's paint the white house black" during Obama's campaign? Please explain that. Why did Obama drones say that anyone that weren't voting for Obama was a "racist"? Please explain that one as well. Your only fooling yourself. Obama in essence is the black person elected President based on an affirmative action mandate. I can go on and on about people making the case to vote for Obama based on his race. Oprah didn't support Obama just because he was Obama also.
Eponymous" which is what this blog's host so fervently claims. The celebration of this American milestone is only ENHANCED by the fact that he won his political campaign by sticking to the issues of the day, proving his mettle on a national stage, and beating the pants off the outflanked and mismanaged GOP."
I don't need to "feverishly claim anything really eponymous. When I have facts to back up everything I state, it's really not an effort at all actually. As for beating the "pants off the "outflanked and mismanaged GOP". If you actually took the time to read my blog instead of trying to label it, you would have discovered that I've already addressed the state of the GOP. I'm a conservative before I'm a Republican. I wouldn't bragging that much if I were you. Obama beat two extremely weak candidates to go from a simple state senator in Illinois to becoming president. He beat Allen Keyes and John McCain. That REALLY IS NOTHING TO BRAG ABOUT!!!!LOL LOL LOL LOL Lets see how Obama does when he has to run on an actual record withh no Republicans or Bush around to blame in 2012.
eponymous "How could ANYONE who supports Dr. King's ideals and legacy DARE to utter that "the dream has been hijacked?" CB, shame on you!
"
No actually shame on you eponymous for underestimating my intelligence and thinking you could pull the wool over my eyes. It was fun though I suppose.
Eponymous "Happy Martin Luther King Day, everyone. This is truly a time to savor. And then on Wednesday, we get back to work."
If your an Obama koolaid drinker that believes in empty platitudes and bumper sticker slogans, then I suppose you're right. For the rest of us normal people, we are just sitting back shrugging our shoulders in bewilderment of the fanaticism that is Obama.
Hmmmmm...Tyrone, I think this whole "Barack Obama elected, first Black president" thing is tearing you apart. You're slippin' man... I hope not to the point where you can't hold a "sensible" and decent debate.
Eponymous stated; "Martin Luther King Jr. voted for Kennedy in 1960. He publicly denounced the GOP in ’64 and voted for Johnson. He no doubt would have fully supported Bobby Kennedy in 1968. Blair, MLK was NOT a Republican."
Tyrone, you replied...
CB;I never said Dr. King was a Republican. Read my text. This is an example of you assuming instead of asking.
But earlier, Blair wrote...
Blair;"Remember MLK was a Republican, anti-abortion and pro-Israel. So it's hard to imagine MLK would set aside....etc..."
and, Tyrone, you agreed...
CB;Very true Blair, but don't expect liberals to understand or even care about that."
An explanation is order, don't you think?
CB;"From 1964 to 2009, there has been no racist legislation brought forth, sponsored or co sponsored by Republicans.
(just for kicks)Isn't Affirmative Action racist legislation in your book of conservatism Tyrone? Guess who "brought forth" AA Tyrone... Can you say Philadelphia Plan? (btw, "Republican" Art Fletcher was the architect)
CB;Also to what you said about King denouncing the GOP, can you please provide a link to validate that claim. Thanks so much"
Allow me to take this one Eponymous!
"King strongly denounced the bigotry of the Goldwater campaign and worked tirelessly to rally black voters against the Republicans. He correctly saw that the wave of newly enfranchised black voters would energize the racially moribund Democratic Party. But he also realized that many white Democrats were unreconstructed segregationists and race-baiters who would stampede into the Republican Party after the passage of the civil rights bill. He predicted that they would be major political players in the South for years to come."
-Earl Ofari Hutchinson,
January 13, 1999 Los Angeles Times-
Personal friend, colleague and confidant U.S. Rep. John Lewis had this to say about the idea that Dr. King was voting and/or was Republican.
The idea that Dr. King was a Republican is "LUDICROUS"!!!! Here are the states Goldwater won in 1964. Do they look familiar? Does the terms "Old South" and "Southern racist Democrats" ring a bell?
How stupid are conservatives to believe such a lie...especially "Black" conservatives... Dr. King, John Kennedy and Bobby Kennedy were in constant contact in the early part of the 1960's. Hell, it's been said that they were on a first name basis.
Working with Dr. King, JFK introduced the Civil Rights Act in June 1963. In July of 1964 President Johnson signed the bill into law. Now, why would Dr. King turn around a vote "REPUBLICAN" after a Democrat signed the bill into law? In the 1964 election, why would he cast a vote for Goldwater who was one of the Senators who did not vote for the bill? Do you really think Dr. King was stupid?
A better question is "why" someone, or some-ONE'S, would propagate, exaggerate, adulterate, proffer, tender or bender such and outrageous declaration of fabrication!!!! It's simple... THEY WANT YOUR VOTE!!! And will attempt to get it by any means necessary.
They take your most prolific and beloved symbol re-shape and remold it, and basically "bastardize" it, at then call it their own!! It's a trick. But even more so, it's a shame...a down right dirty shame...
P. Allen I know you take the stance: Not to comment on my comments, but as a black mother, I just chalk it up as childess play.
As a black mother, I understand and respect your views. But as a woman who walked with Dr. King I must say Tyrone is right.
Racism on both sides is wrong and will never be erased. NEVER!
Race hustlers will never allow it to die. They make money on both sides. Dr. King came from a Black Republican legacy and as such was one. The Democratas infested with Marxist ideas latched on the the Civil Rights Movement to further their cause. They used the Communist mantra of: Spread the Wealth" written by Karl Marx and F. Engels. W.E.Dubois was a Marxist from Harvard and was one of the people who started the NAACP. This is why the CIA accused Dr. King of being a communist. They were mostly Jews and the anti-Jew process began among the NOI. This also started the NOI calling the civil rights marchers as cowards. That would apply to me, P. Allen.
I marched so you wouldnt have too.
I marched so you would be allowed a decent education education as you
have shown on the blog. You are an educated man, not just a black man, but a man. Tyrone has shown thaT he is an educated man and both of you are the benefactors of the endurance of the generation before you as I was a benefactor of the generation before me who also taught me to move on and not be a victim.
We are moving backwards to the future. You are encouraged to move past the backward times of racism enmass.
"Obama hasn't been judged by who he is as a person, it has all been about his race and how "historic" he is. Because of the color of Obama's skin, many people have already anointed him as a great President even before being sworn in. (Tyrone)
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I think that's a little off the mark, Tyrone.
In my view, Obama ran a better campaign than McCain did...a much better campaign. McCain didn't have the energy nor the conviction to stand up for anything close to Conservative ideas.
Moreover, Barack Obama IS, whether that is inconvenient, or not, one of the three most compelling political figures in recent memory, along with Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan.
Obama's appeal goes beyond race and appearance. He is one of the very few Liberals who actually tries to make actual affirmative arguments for Liberal ideas.
That trait has almost exclusively been the purview of Conservatives. One of the primary reasons that Conservatism (especially economic Liberty and the market-driven economy) has won the day because there haven't been ANY Liberal Milton Friedman's.
Conservatives SHOULD welcome the chance to take on Liberals in the battle of ideas, especially given the Left's abysmal track record on that score. It's an arena that few, if ANY on that side have proven adept at.
Ironically enough, both Obama and his Chief-of-Staff, Emanuel have appeared to be pragmatic centrists so far.
I DON'T think he was elected because of race NOR in spite of it. He won against a candidate who ran a weaker campaign.
"Dr. King would have supported Obama being elected if people were voting on him based on who he is NOT what he is." (Tyrone)
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That is correct, ONLY so long as he (MLK) actually believed in the view that people "should be judged on the content of their character n(abilities) instead of the color of their skin."
As an example, a few years ago I took a Safety Engineering degree program in a NJ University that had an interesting demographic. At least 60% of the class was Asian, in a state where Asians comprise about 5% of the population, blacks and Hispanics combined made up about 6% of that class despite blacks being about 14% of NJ's population and Hispanics (any race) another 13%.
I don't believe there is ANYONE willing or able to make an argument IN FAVOR of proportionalism (strict group representation equal to their percentage in the population) and AGAINST merit/ability (the content of one's character) being used as the primary determinent in such cases.
One of the MANY problems that the failed concepts of "disparate impact" and proportionalism have had is that the ONLY logical outcome of proportionalism would be to take EVERY ethnic group (Greek, Irish, Italian, German, Carribean blacks, African-born blacks, etc.) and make sure that NO GROUP is under-represented according to its proportional percentage of the population. If there was 1% of the population that was Irish-German atheists, that 1% would have to be represented under that ridiculous policy.
That's ONE of the reasons why proportionalism is a failed construct and the concept of disparate impact has waned in the courts in recent years, as a given group's passing rate on a given test relative to other groups is NOT a legally accepted indicator of discrimination, nor should it be.
In short, contrary to some of the quotes of MLK's posted by the resident black nationalist (PAA), I don't believe that MLK the man, would've had ANY problem with the demographics of the Safety Engineering course I took across the Hudson.
The reason that that course had a 60+% enrollment was because they did better on the entrance exams and that was proven out as 7 of the top 10 students in that course were Asian.
I don't think anything MLK had to say about that is as relevant as what the great Bill Bratton would say to the other groups that didn't fare as well, to wit, and I paraphrase here, "Get off the booze, get off the drugs, get off your asses and get to studying!"
JMK says;"In short, contrary to some of the quotes of MLK's posted by the resident black nationalist (PAA), I don't believe that MLK the man, would've had ANY problem with the demographics of the Safety Engineering course I took across the Hudson."
Resident Black Nationalist? Well...not quite along the line of what you might believe my "Black Nationalism" might be.
My ideals are not separatist nor anarchist. My idea of "Black Nationalism" is in part derived from various ideological perspectives. Historic figures such as Richard Allen (no relation to my knowledge) and Absalom Jones focused on building a Black economic, political, social, and religious community that was "interdependent" and not "dependent" on others (aka white or any other ethnic control).
I make no bones about my idea's that Blacks should support other blacks economically, politically, socially and spiritually. Frankly, it is in those area's where most Blacks are failing! I don't desire a "separate identity", I'd like an "equal identity".
What upset's me is when certain idealist attack and misinterpret the idea of a Black Identity. For the most part, it is those that claim to be "politically conservative" that don't agree with "Black Unity". They "MISINTERPRET" the idea, labeling it as racist, divisive and even socialist. Nothing could be further from the truth....
My interpretation of a "Black Identity" is;
-Recognizing we are a people who have strengths within our community.
-Using those strengths to better those who have not realized how important they are to themselves, their families, the community, our appearance and our survival.
-Recognizing "true" leaders, teachers and scholars who can help guide and mold the community into a more prosperous and fruitful entity.
-Believing that we as a people are responsible for ourselves, our families and our future... Economically, Politically, Socially and Spiritually!
I live in an extremely diverse, and yet, a very segregated region of the U.S. "Five of the 25 most racially segregated metropolitan regions in America — Detroit, Saginaw, Flint, Benton Harbor, and Muskegon — are in Michigan."
Within the City of Detroit proper, I can drive West to Arab Town were shops and business flourish and abound from one block to the next. I can drive South to Mexican Town and "NOT find one" gutted storefront nor Old Brownstone that bears a hint of cobwebs. Even though the old "Pole Town" neighborhood's were upended by an GM automotive plant, I can still drive East to the Hamtramck border along Jos Compeau Road and find streets lines with Polish bakeries, meat markets and other ethnic shops. In recent years an area has sprung up on the North East side of Detroit. Hmong Vietnamese immigrants have build several shops and started several businesses surrounding their neighborhood.
So, should these groups be labeled as "racist"...or "communist" because they have chosen to use their combined strengths and numbers for economic independence?? Are the China Towns of New York City, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Fransisco, Portland, San Diego, Victoria, BC and Vancouver, BC, bastions of racial separatism?
That fact is, as you well know, most Black communities across the country are in shambles. Common sense would tell anyone looking from the outside in, that Blacks need to "COME TOGETHER TO FIX THE PROBLEMS"! No other ethnic group can save us (and shouldn't), the government won't save us (and shouldn't), the church (that's right, THE CHURCH) won't save us...we have to get up off our asses, come together and do it for ourselves!
Foot note... De-segregation (aka, integration) was the worse thing that ever happened to Black Americans... (but that's a discussion for another time)
I agree with Dr. King that a person must be judge by the content of their character and not the color of his or her skin or their race.
I like Barack Obama as a person, but I am not sure how he will do as our president; too soon to tell right now. If he is successful of getting our country back on track, then kudos to him.
Prior to the election, a couple of black friends of mine planned on voting for Obama as a person (a brother in some context), not as a politician.
The country is treating Obama as if he is the Massiah. I don't think that was what Dr. King had intended to be.
Former Governor Gary Locke of Washington, was the first Asian-American to be elected in a higher office. He was elected for his policies not for being Asian. Not once when he was elected during his two-terms in office have I seen the Asian community celebrate like dancing in the streets or throwing parties.
Locke never sought for a third term because he knew what he had planned was crumbling and knew he would never get a re-elected.
PAA, excusing the hatred of the NOI and other black hate groups (the black Israelites, etc), while condemning that of the Aryan Nation and the KKK is indeed “separatist”, probably more accurately termed supremacist, in nature. That’s why I made that reference, not merely being flippant or snide.
Indeed, most communities have Asian areas (Chinatowns), Hispanic, even Russian, Polish and Arabic areas, these days.
Most of that phenomenon is due to the fact that most people tend to be "most comfortable with what is most familiar."
While that is completely understandable and NOT bigoted" or "racist", it IS dangerous because it cuts those people off from the larger society, in which they MUST exist.
For instance, people who don't speak English effectively are not able to compete for most of the good jobs available.
No one forces Chinese people to live in Chinatown, nor should they be forced, but the comfort of those surroundings can't be denied.
What can be dangerous and bigoted/racist, is IF a group of Chinese-Americans not only frequented their own community's businesses the most, but made a point of not buying at any businesses owned by others. That would harm that group by further alienating them from the larger culture, making them appear more insular and adversarial.
Those two things highlight some of the most glaring problems of America's black community.
And to be clear, I DO disagree with your assertion that "most Black communities across the country are in shambles." The Caribbean community in America is doing quite well. In Queens NY, the average Caribbean black family earns more than their white counterparts. Even the African-born community in America isn't doing badly at all.
In FACT, the vast majority of American-born blacks (79%) do not live in poverty.
Yes, 21% in poverty is too high. It is double the national average. One of the problems America’s educators have had in the inner cities is the idea advanced by many blacks that “studying hard,” speaking correctly, etc. amount to “acting white.”
What that reflects is a rejection of ANY views and values that many in that group associate with white culture and that is to their detriment.
Another problem has been a pronounced lack of entrepreneurialism within that community and that is something that can be rectified, but ONLY from within. Sure, people can reach out for business advice, loans, etc. but that community must nurture that engine of prosperity.
As an example, in New York City, Sylvia’s has become a famous eatery, run by blacks and cooking soul food.
The country is filled with Pizzerias, Chinese restaurants, Tex-Mex eateries, etc. there’s absolutely NO/ZERO reason why Soul Food couldn’t take off the same way. Experiment. Try calling it Southern Style, whatever works, but there’s no reason that American blacks couldn’t do what EVERY other ethnic group has done, first make inroads in and influence the broader culture through ethnic food and that’ll make the members of that group FEEL like full-fledged participants in that broader culture.
I think a lot of people are counting on the election of Barack Obama to do some of that (and it may), BUT entrepreneurialism is the surest and most demonstrative path.
Good stuff,
It is sad how many Blacks voted for Obama on the basis of race alone. Gee, what if whites would have done that??? We'd be yelling racism. We always want to point the finger at whites as being racist. But Sometimes I think we are just as racist. Feel free to drop me an email sometime. Would love to keep in touch with you.
Black Libertarian
St. Louis, MO
FeeFee7376@aol.com
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