BLACK HISTORY MONTH MENU

[HairOfTheDog]

Dr. King's message was about uniting people, not differentiating them by stereotyping them as "spooks", "spics", "mudsharks" and some of the other labels that you're so fond of, Six. You've affixed those labels to many, without knowing if they're "garbage".

A major aspect of Dr. King's message was about speaking up and using one's voice to rally against such stereotyping and/or discrimination of any group of people. And, he stood clearly and unambiguously AGAINST exacting violence on those who disrespect, offend, or otherwise hold different attitudes and ideals than oneself.

I'm not complaining nor offended by you, and I support your right to express yourself freely here or anywhere else, Six. I'm commenting on my observations. Your thoughts, words and attitudes in regards to other races, along with your staunch support of using violence to halt non-violent expression, are in direct opposition to Dr. King's message and lead me to believe that you either don't understand his message or don't embrace it at all.

So, it was and is surreal for me to see you speculating about how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr would be disappointed in "his" people, as you call them.

That's all.

[SIXFOOTERsez]

Dr. Kings message also included getting educated and improving ones self. Thats the part where imho his people have run off the tracks. He did oppose violence, true enough, I never said I was a dedicated follower.
The labels I affix to people are based on their own actions, you end up on the cover of the newspaper with your hat on backwards and pants hanging off your ass on welfare and wearing a gold grill, yea, I got a label for that.
Just plain folks doing their best and happen to be black, brown or green, I got a label for them too, its Human, People, not garbage.

[HairOfTheDog]

Okay, Six.

King's message to the world was directed at all people, certainly not only black people.

He saw all people as his brothers and sisters under God, as a devout Christian.

I don't know why you're referring to black people as "his" people, but that's part of the surreal nature of you speaking for him posthumously and explaining his message to me.

Anyway, educating and improving oneself - definitely advisable, Six, for all. Dr. King wasn't referring exclusively to formal education but educating oneself about people from different backgrounds as well. I agree with him, too

We're not gonna view people the same way, or what constitutes "garbage". That's okay.

[Duchess]

I certainly don't speak for Dr. King but given what I know about him I can't help but feel he would be horrified by many of his race. He wanted good things for the blacks, he wanted them treated in an equal manner. I hardly think he would be condoning the way so many of them conduct themselves. A lot of blacks are goddamn embarrassing much in the same way a lot of whites are embarrassing to me. I could break it down even further and talk about stupid, white women (or men) but that's a whole other thread.

[HairOfTheDog]

I don’t know how Martin Luther King, Jr. would feel if he were alive and viewing society today. I only know what he communicated - quite clearly, IMO - about all citizens continuing to actively fight for full integration and economic equality for all races, to the death if necessary, and avoiding violence at all costs. I believe he meant what he said.

Sure, he might be embarrassed by a lot of black people, and white people, and brown people – men and women. Or, maybe, he would see no reason to feel embarrassed on behalf of any of God’s children and instead would feel disappointed that the men and women of this country - of all races and faiths, working together as he envisioned - haven’t yet been able to make his dream a reality and would push on everyone to fight harder towards that end.

And (or), he might be encouraged by the fact that more people today oppose and speak out against discrimination and stereotyping of black citizens and other minorities, that segregated schools and public areas are largely obsolete, that people of different races freely marry each other in every state of the union, that there are more places of worship for various religions than ever before, that affirmative action is in place, that there’s a peaceful movement to affect change so that more citizens of different religions/races are encouraged to serve in the country’s military, that there are more laws designed to discourage and penalize those who discriminate against or violently target others based on color or faith, that there were nation-wide civil protests rather than violent race riots when a man was acquitted of shooting an unarmed black teen to death...

He advocated for active change, not passivity, and only through non-violent means. So, he might well consider all of those things progress and be proud of a lot of black, white, and brown people – men and women,

Lot of 'mights'. I don't claim to know how he'd feel today, but can speak to how I feel today. I think progress has been made toward achieving his dream, but it's disappointing how much further there is to go after 45 years and how the "us" vs. "them" mentality is still so pervasive in a lot of what I read and hear. I don't think black people are solely responsible for that attitude nor the fact that the dream has not yet been fulfilled.

Maybe one day we'll get there, maybe not. Either way, I think that Martin Luther King, Jr. plays a significant role in American history, not only black history.

[Cynical Ninja]

I think if six was black he would be a big fan of Malcolm X - “by any means necessary!”. I have to admit if I'd been black and gone through what black people have gone through I probably would be a bit pissed off myself if I'm honest.