A few days ago I visited the impressive shrine of cherry colored stone dedicated to Dr. King. It was a slightly rainy day. Just enough precipitation to cool things down, but not enough to keep one indoors. Two things struck me as I enjoyed my visit.
First, the light rain effected the statue of Dr. King in such a way as to show dampness beneath his eyes. The stains under both eyes clearly resembled running tears. This phenomena was noticed by many visitors. Second, parts of the monument were covered to obscure the removal of a quote, and the presence of the Chinese sculptor working on the changes.
Do the tears represent a heavenly sign that perhaps Dr. King has been disappointed with the direction of his historic movement ? Seems his beautiful message of equality and inclusion by peaceful means has been wrecked in a world of exclusion preached by contemporary black leaders. So many people have used his cause to gain personal fame and fortune. To me it seems pretenders to his lofty goals have actually divided rather than unite people along racial and economic lines.
Despite all the bluster and laws from Washington DC, I wonder if Dr. King would look kindly on the present state of black family's, inner city crime, and black youth employment in our nation's huge black communities ? Would he demand more personal responsibility from his followers, and less dependence on government ? While he would surely be proud of a black president, would he be impressed that this historic figure has demonstrated little ability to unite and has instead taken many opportunities to divide Americans along racial and economic lines ?
To me, the temporary shrouding of sections of the monument symbolize parts of Dr. King's messages hidden amid all the noise from poor civil rights and political leaders. Where is his dream ? While his message was profound and simple, has it become more profitable for politicians and black leaders to maintain a state of crisis and separation in racial relations ? Like Ghandi or The Christ, the tone and message of Dr. King was one of making great change without violence or retribution. No one in the scores of popular black leaders since his untimely demise have continued his profound cause. To many operate as if a cash settlement or new bundle of government handouts will bring equality or justice.
In August 2013 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Doctor Martin Luther King's historic "I Have A Dream" speech. How many white republican leaders were invited to this grand event ? Will anyone seriously recount the strong segregationist history of the democrat party prior to the Civil War or the many republicans from Lincoln forward who have lead and voted in favor of civil rights improvements ? Why is the world of drama news attracted to confrontation, street violence, and the rare cases when a white cop kills a black person ? Where is the media outrage and in depth news reportage behind the thousands of black on black homicides in Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans and other major urban areas ?
As a southern child of the fifties I lived in a racially segregated society and I believe the peaceful and profound message of Doctor King touched all Americans. Societal change is difficult but Dr. King was the rare leader with the heart and reason to make lasting changes. He truly deserved his Nobel Peace Prize at a time when it indicated great achievement. Sadly, his dream of racial equality and justice has been lost by an assassins bullet and a gaggle of truly incompetent black leaders.
Obama, Jackson, Lewis, Sharpton, Maxine Waters and many others have failed black America and taken many of them to a new place of resentment and violence. Their leadership has been spiritually discouraging and even encourages more segregation. They have been satisfied to trumpet a simple message that government dependence is OK and violence is a legitimate agent of change. Black leaders such as Clarence Thomas, Thomas Sowell, Ben Carson are consistently shouted down as "uncle tom's" by many with cheer leading from a fourth estate always ready to create grisly headlines at any cost.
In my opinion, Doctor Martin Luther King would be sad and ashamed of the self serving twists and ignorance spewed over black America by scores of faux civil rights leaders who have dominated for far too long. Their service has been a disservice and injured the cause of racial harmony and true equality for all Americans.
First, the light rain effected the statue of Dr. King in such a way as to show dampness beneath his eyes. The stains under both eyes clearly resembled running tears. This phenomena was noticed by many visitors. Second, parts of the monument were covered to obscure the removal of a quote, and the presence of the Chinese sculptor working on the changes.
Do the tears represent a heavenly sign that perhaps Dr. King has been disappointed with the direction of his historic movement ? Seems his beautiful message of equality and inclusion by peaceful means has been wrecked in a world of exclusion preached by contemporary black leaders. So many people have used his cause to gain personal fame and fortune. To me it seems pretenders to his lofty goals have actually divided rather than unite people along racial and economic lines.
Despite all the bluster and laws from Washington DC, I wonder if Dr. King would look kindly on the present state of black family's, inner city crime, and black youth employment in our nation's huge black communities ? Would he demand more personal responsibility from his followers, and less dependence on government ? While he would surely be proud of a black president, would he be impressed that this historic figure has demonstrated little ability to unite and has instead taken many opportunities to divide Americans along racial and economic lines ?
To me, the temporary shrouding of sections of the monument symbolize parts of Dr. King's messages hidden amid all the noise from poor civil rights and political leaders. Where is his dream ? While his message was profound and simple, has it become more profitable for politicians and black leaders to maintain a state of crisis and separation in racial relations ? Like Ghandi or The Christ, the tone and message of Dr. King was one of making great change without violence or retribution. No one in the scores of popular black leaders since his untimely demise have continued his profound cause. To many operate as if a cash settlement or new bundle of government handouts will bring equality or justice.
In August 2013 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Doctor Martin Luther King's historic "I Have A Dream" speech. How many white republican leaders were invited to this grand event ? Will anyone seriously recount the strong segregationist history of the democrat party prior to the Civil War or the many republicans from Lincoln forward who have lead and voted in favor of civil rights improvements ? Why is the world of drama news attracted to confrontation, street violence, and the rare cases when a white cop kills a black person ? Where is the media outrage and in depth news reportage behind the thousands of black on black homicides in Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans and other major urban areas ?
As a southern child of the fifties I lived in a racially segregated society and I believe the peaceful and profound message of Doctor King touched all Americans. Societal change is difficult but Dr. King was the rare leader with the heart and reason to make lasting changes. He truly deserved his Nobel Peace Prize at a time when it indicated great achievement. Sadly, his dream of racial equality and justice has been lost by an assassins bullet and a gaggle of truly incompetent black leaders.
Obama, Jackson, Lewis, Sharpton, Maxine Waters and many others have failed black America and taken many of them to a new place of resentment and violence. Their leadership has been spiritually discouraging and even encourages more segregation. They have been satisfied to trumpet a simple message that government dependence is OK and violence is a legitimate agent of change. Black leaders such as Clarence Thomas, Thomas Sowell, Ben Carson are consistently shouted down as "uncle tom's" by many with cheer leading from a fourth estate always ready to create grisly headlines at any cost.
In my opinion, Doctor Martin Luther King would be sad and ashamed of the self serving twists and ignorance spewed over black America by scores of faux civil rights leaders who have dominated for far too long. Their service has been a disservice and injured the cause of racial harmony and true equality for all Americans.
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