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Post by Mink on Jan 20, 2009 1:33:33 GMT -5
Every year we have observed Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and for some, it is but just another day or holiday where we get the day off. This year with our first Black (and White) president, reminds us of the significance of his speech. The troubles may not be totally gone, but the hope has just been reinforced. See video and text of the "I Have a Dream" speech. www.mlkonline.net/video-i-have-a-dream-speech.htmlThank you Martin.....Happy Birthday! |
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Post by moondog on Jan 20, 2009 12:21:25 GMT -5
Martin Luther King was a good leader and civil rights advocate. But, the one who brings it home for me is never mentioned. He was larger then life to me. One Medgar Evers, a man who fought for Americans. It is July 2nd we should celebrate or June 12th. |
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Post by crossride on Jan 20, 2009 16:27:28 GMT -5
Happy Birthday Martin? Martin, really? I would hope he would be addressed in a less familiar fashion.
Plus, wishing a happy birthday to a guy who is dead seems strange.
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Post by subdjoe on Jan 20, 2009 18:28:44 GMT -5
I'm sure the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would be horrified at the cult of victimhood that has grown around his call for justice. And the violence and hatred advocated by those who profess it.
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Post by harpman1 on Jan 20, 2009 18:35:34 GMT -5
Now, today, in a perverse turnabout on MLK's greatest message, we have a POTUS who is being measured by the color of his skin, rather than the content of his character.
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Post by subdjoe on Jan 20, 2009 19:24:32 GMT -5
Now, today, in a perverse turnabout on MLK's greatest message, we have a POTUS who is being measured by the color of his skin, rather than the content of his character. Yep, I noticed that too. And by the progressives. All the talking heads, pundits, politicians, and just plain people that were on the air today were hammering on him being black. And that it is time for 'blacks' to do this,that, or the other. And time for blacks to pull together. I heard a few say things like "now the pledge of allegence MEANS something." Now, havn't moderates and conservatives been saying for a few decades that people need to pull together for a better America? Stop the fragmentation and just all be plain old AMERICANS? And, wasn't that the message of the Rev. Dr. MLK, Jr? That we are all just AMERICANS? |
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Post by The Big Dog on Jan 20, 2009 19:44:35 GMT -5
Of course it probably would come as a complete shock to most of the leftys and progressives to know that Dr. King was a Republican........ Linkey |
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Post by moondog on Jan 21, 2009 11:41:20 GMT -5
Nice find TBD. Many of the Great Black figures of the past were Republicans actually.
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Post by subdjoe on Jan 21, 2009 12:35:29 GMT -5
Not a bad read. Except for "The Democrats started the Ku Klux Klan to lynch and terrorize blacks."
The orginal Klan was started by former Confederate officers to both keep in touch and to help protect citizens of the south, both black and white, from the predations of the northern carpet baggers and scallawags who were intent on destroying the south and southern culture. There were times when the Klan shot down northeners who were attacking blacks, looting their homes and rapeing black women.
When the racists in the Klan started their abominations, the head of the Klan N. B. Forrest who had been elected in abstentia, ordered it disbanded. He and other former officers helped to track down the renegades and pretty much just shot them when they found them. That first iteration of the Klan was pretty much dead by about 1890. The Klan saw a rebirth with Griffiths racist and revisionist epic, Birth of a Nation. That somehow caught the fancy of many and a new and unrecognizable Klan was brought into being. This is the Klan that is the most known in news, movies, and popular culture. Since WWII, that version of the Klan has kind of merged with the NAZI thugs.
For those of you who see Forrest as nothing but a backwoods racist hick here are a few quotes from him.
His farewell to his troops:
Civil war, such as you have just passed through naturally engenders feelings of animosity, hatred, and revenge. It is our duty to divest ourselves of all such feelings; and as far as it is in our power to do so, to cultivate friendly feelings towards those with whom we have so long contended, and heretofore so widely, but honestly, differed. Neighborhood feuds, personal animosities, and private differences should be blotted out; and, when you return home, a manly, straightforward course of conduct will secure the respect of your enemies. Whatever your responsibilities may be to Government, to society, or to individuals meet them like men. The attempt made to establish a separate and independent Confederation has failed; but the consciousness of having done your duty faithfully, and to the end, will, in some measure, repay for the hardships you have undergone. In bidding you farewell, rest assured that you carry with you my best wishes for your future welfare and happiness. Without, in any way, referring to the merits of the Cause in which we have been engaged, your courage and determination, as exhibited on many hard-fought fields, has elicited the respect and admiration of friend and foe. And I now cheerfully and gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness to the officers and men of my command whose zeal, fidelity and unflinching bravery have been the great source of my past success in arms. I have never, on the field of battle, sent you where I was unwilling to go myself; nor would I now advise you to a course which I felt myself unwilling to pursue. You have been good soldiers, you can be good citizens. Obey the laws, preserve your honor, and the Government to which you have surrendered can afford to be, and will be, magnanimous.
N.B. Forrest, Lieut.-General
Headquarters, Forrest's Cavalry Corps
Gainesville, Alabama
May 9, 1865[32]
And one with some commetary:
On July 5, 1875, Forrest became the first white man to speak to the Independent Order of Pole-Bearers Association, a civil rights group whose members were freedmen. In his short speech, he stated blacks had the right to vote for any candidates they wanted and that the role of blacks should be elevated. He ended the speech by kissing the cheek of one of the daughters of one of the Pole-Bearer Memphis Appeal members, evinces Forrest's racial open-mindedness that seemed to have been growing in him. As reported in the contemporary pages of the Memphis Appeal.
"Ladies and Gentlemen I accept the flowers as a memento of reconciliation between the white and colored races of the southern states. I accept it more particularly as it comes from a colored lady, for if there is any one on God's earth who loves the ladies I believe it is myself. ( Immense applause and laughter.) I came here with the jeers of some white people, who think that I am doing wrong. I believe I can exert some influence, and do much to assist the people in strengthening fraternal relations, and shall do all in my power to elevate every man to depress none. (Applause.) I want to elevate you to take positions in law offices, in stores, on farms, and wherever you are capable of going. I have not said anything about politics today. I don't propose to say anything about politics. You have a right to elect whom you please; vote for the man you think best, and I think, when that is done, you and I are freemen. Do as you consider right and honest in electing men for office. I did not come here to make you a long speech, although invited to do so by you. I am not much of a speaker, and my business prevented me from preparing myself. I came to meet you as friends, and welcome you to the white people. I want you to come nearer to us. When I can serve you I will do so. We have but one flag, one country; let us stand together. We may differ in color, but not in sentiment. Many things have been said about me which are wrong, and which white and black persons here, who stood by me through the war, can contradict. Go to work, be industrious, live honestly and act truly, and when you are oppressed I'll come to your relief. I thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for this opportunity you have afforded me to be with you, and to assure you that I am with you in heart and in hand. (Prolonged applause.)"
Whereupon N. B. Forrest again thanked Miss Lewis for the bouquet and then gave her a kiss on the cheek[citation needed]. Such a kiss was unheard of in the society of those days, in 1875, but it showed a token of respect and friendship between the general and the black community and did much to promote harmony among the citizens of Memphis. Forrest died in Memphis in October 1877, reportedly from acute complications of diabetes. He was buried at Elmwood Cemetery. In 1904 his remains were disinterred and moved to Forrest Park, a Memphis city park named in his honor.
So tell me, are those the words and acts of a racist?
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Post by Mink on Jan 21, 2009 23:48:52 GMT -5
Of course it probably would come as a complete shock to most of the leftys and progressives to know that Dr. King was a Republican........ LinkeyHis words of unity were inclusive and inspiring, it never occurred to me what his party affiliation was.  |
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Post by moondog on Jan 22, 2009 12:24:48 GMT -5
I found out that both Medgar and Charles Evers were Republicans as well. I read the list of accomplishments by Republicans and what they have meant for Blacks. As well as the things visited upon them by the Democrat party. Very interesting stuff. Funny how Federal Patronage can turn things on their heads.
No wonder I switched from Democrat to Republican after Bill Clinton's first term. I was tired of being lied to endlessly.
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Post by Mink on Jan 22, 2009 23:23:07 GMT -5
Moondog: "No wonder I switched from Democrat to Republican after Bill Clinton's first term. I was tired of being lied to endlessly."
That being said, you can imagine why Obama was elected by a landslide. People, in general were tired of being lied to.
Hopefully, the dream won't get lost in our many disagreements in political jargon.
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