Last year at this time, I wrote what was arguably the most challenging, controversial entry ever made on this blog. The entry entitled “Martin Luther King Day is Not My Holiday” was greeted with such hostility from the African-American community across the blogosphere. The intent of that entry was, indeed, to rile some feathers and force people to think.
You see, Martin Luther King, Jr. day has become a bit like Christmas — something everyone likes to celebrate but the object of such celebration being lost on the masses. MLK was a great man. To that honor, I whole heartedly agree. I think that tremendous value was placed on his life and message in the only way a government can really bestow honor - declaring a national holiday.
King preached a message for the ages, for the races - all races. While most people remember the “I have a dream” speech for that line and the ensuing quotes, Dr. King said so much more in that speech that is often ignored by today’s version of the “civil rights movement” and indeed, most of America.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.
You see, my friends, the dream is still just that: a dream. Dr. King’s dream was for harmony with the white man. It was for equality for all of mankind. It was peace and justice. It was for non-violence. It was for an intelligent coup de force of societal ill-concieved mentality. Unfortunately, the dream is still a dream.
Today’s civil rights movement has moved from an embracing, integrative process that Dr. King preached to a segregationist hatred black against white; Mexican against black; white against middle eastern. This is the fraud of civil rights. We’d be better off dividing the country into fiefdoms where one nationality remains and thrives. Maybe give Texas and Southern California back to Mexico. Louisiana might as well be French. Miami can go to the Cubans. Metropolitan D.C. can be annexxed by Nigeria.
Absurdity? Perhaps, but I’m, frankly, tired of celebrating holidays for reasons that are lost on the culture. If we’re going to have a Martin Luther King day, let’s honor his legacy and seek to equally, and without judgement embrace each other and make this nation a stronger nation by complementing the strengths and weaknesses of each other. If we’re going to celebrate Christmas, let’s read the Christmas story from the Bible before opening gifts and remember why we celebrate it in the first place. If we’re going to cook out for the first big barbecue of summer on Memorial Day, let’s actually remember who we are memorializing.
Holidays are meant to be times to remember, not simply reflect. MLK’s message is critical to remember and embrace… white and black; latino and asian; Jew and Gentile.
{ 60 comments }
David Nick 01.16.06 at 11:29 am
I almost wish my archives were still on the net. I remember that article last year. :)
Of course I thought that you and I both took some flack for our “Racist Whitey” viewpoints.
It’s too bad that after all this time, we still cannot voice our opinions without someone calling you a racist for it.
Some progress.
David Nick 01.16.06 at 11:29 am
I almost wish my archives were still on the net. I remember that article last year. :)
Of course I thought that you and I both took some flack for our “Racist Whitey” viewpoints.
It’s too bad that after all this time, we still cannot voice our opinions without someone calling you a racist for it.
Some progress.
David Nick 01.16.06 at 11:29 am
I almost wish my archives were still on the net. I remember that article last year. :)
Of course I thought that you and I both took some flack for our “Racist Whitey” viewpoints.
It’s too bad that after all this time, we still cannot voice our opinions without someone calling you a racist for it.
Some progress.
David Nick 01.16.06 at 11:29 am
I almost wish my archives were still on the net. I remember that article last year. :)
Of course I thought that you and I both took some flack for our “Racist Whitey” viewpoints.
It’s too bad that after all this time, we still cannot voice our opinions without someone calling you a racist for it.
Some progress.
David Nick 01.16.06 at 11:29 am
I almost wish my archives were still on the net. I remember that article last year. :)
Of course I thought that you and I both took some flack for our “Racist Whitey” viewpoints.
It’s too bad that after all this time, we still cannot voice our opinions without someone calling you a racist for it.
Some progress.
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 3:40 pm
Can I recommend sermons here? Or is that too controversial? ;D
God’s Pursuit of Racial Diversity at Infinite Cost, Part One
God’s Pursuit of Racial Diversity at Infinite Cost, Part Two
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 3:40 pm
Can I recommend sermons here? Or is that too controversial? ;D
God’s Pursuit of Racial Diversity at Infinite Cost, Part One
God’s Pursuit of Racial Diversity at Infinite Cost, Part Two
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 3:40 pm
Can I recommend sermons here? Or is that too controversial? ;D
God’s Pursuit of Racial Diversity at Infinite Cost, Part One
God’s Pursuit of Racial Diversity at Infinite Cost, Part Two
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 3:40 pm
Can I recommend sermons here? Or is that too controversial? ;D
God’s Pursuit of Racial Diversity at Infinite Cost, Part One
God’s Pursuit of Racial Diversity at Infinite Cost, Part Two
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 3:40 pm
Can I recommend sermons here? Or is that too controversial? ;D
God’s Pursuit of Racial Diversity at Infinite Cost, Part One
God’s Pursuit of Racial Diversity at Infinite Cost, Part Two
Aaron 01.16.06 at 3:43 pm
Of course, Travis. Links would be better.
Aaron 01.16.06 at 3:43 pm
Of course, Travis. Links would be better.
Aaron 01.16.06 at 3:43 pm
Of course, Travis. Links would be better.
Aaron 01.16.06 at 3:43 pm
Of course, Travis. Links would be better.
Aaron 01.16.06 at 3:43 pm
Of course, Travis. Links would be better.
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 3:55 pm
Umm… I did post links. Weird.
Okay, I’ll try again:
God’s Pursuit of Racial Diversity at Infinite Cost
Part 1
Part 2
And just in case that doesn’t work (again), it’s the latest two broadcasts at desiringgodradio.org. =)
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 3:55 pm
Umm… I did post links. Weird.
Okay, I’ll try again:
God’s Pursuit of Racial Diversity at Infinite Cost
Part 1
Part 2
And just in case that doesn’t work (again), it’s the latest two broadcasts at desiringgodradio.org. =)
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 3:55 pm
Umm… I did post links. Weird.
Okay, I’ll try again:
God’s Pursuit of Racial Diversity at Infinite Cost
Part 1
Part 2
And just in case that doesn’t work (again), it’s the latest two broadcasts at desiringgodradio.org. =)
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 3:55 pm
Umm… I did post links. Weird.
Okay, I’ll try again:
God’s Pursuit of Racial Diversity at Infinite Cost
Part 1
Part 2
And just in case that doesn’t work (again), it’s the latest two broadcasts at desiringgodradio.org. =)
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 3:55 pm
Umm… I did post links. Weird.
Okay, I’ll try again:
God’s Pursuit of Racial Diversity at Infinite Cost
Part 1
Part 2
And just in case that doesn’t work (again), it’s the latest two broadcasts at desiringgodradio.org. =)
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 3:55 pm
Okay, I give up. Are links automatically scrubbed?
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 3:55 pm
Okay, I give up. Are links automatically scrubbed?
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 3:55 pm
Okay, I give up. Are links automatically scrubbed?
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 3:55 pm
Okay, I give up. Are links automatically scrubbed?
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 3:55 pm
Okay, I give up. Are links automatically scrubbed?
Aaron 01.16.06 at 3:59 pm
Odd… this is the same version that I uploaded to TNSFS this morning. How are you doing links? Standard HTML?
Aaron 01.16.06 at 3:59 pm
Odd… this is the same version that I uploaded to TNSFS this morning. How are you doing links? Standard HTML?
Aaron 01.16.06 at 3:59 pm
Odd… this is the same version that I uploaded to TNSFS this morning. How are you doing links? Standard HTML?
Aaron 01.16.06 at 3:59 pm
Odd… this is the same version that I uploaded to TNSFS this morning. How are you doing links? Standard HTML?
Aaron 01.16.06 at 3:59 pm
Odd… this is the same version that I uploaded to TNSFS this morning. How are you doing links? Standard HTML?
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 4:01 pm
Yeah… it’s long links, though, so maybe it’s something that I’m not seeing due to word wrapping. Trying again (writing the comment in a text editor and pasting in here):
Part 1: http://www.desiringgodradio.org/content/index.php/content/view/full/838
Part 2: http://www.desiringgodradio.org/content/index.php/content/view/full/839
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 4:01 pm
Yeah… it’s long links, though, so maybe it’s something that I’m not seeing due to word wrapping. Trying again (writing the comment in a text editor and pasting in here):
Part 1: http://www.desiringgodradio.org/content/index.p...
Part 2: http://www.desiringgodradio.org/content/index.p...
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 4:01 pm
Yeah… it’s long links, though, so maybe it’s something that I’m not seeing due to word wrapping. Trying again (writing the comment in a text editor and pasting in here):
Part 1: http://www.desiringgodradio.org/content/index.p...
Part 2: http://www.desiringgodradio.org/content/index.p...
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 4:01 pm
Yeah… it’s long links, though, so maybe it’s something that I’m not seeing due to word wrapping. Trying again (writing the comment in a text editor and pasting in here):
Part 1: http://www.desiringgodradio.org/content/index.p...
Part 2: http://www.desiringgodradio.org/content/index.p...
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 4:01 pm
Yeah… it’s long links, though, so maybe it’s something that I’m not seeing due to word wrapping. Trying again (writing the comment in a text editor and pasting in here):
Part 1: http://www.desiringgodradio.org/content/index.p...
Part 2: http://www.desiringgodradio.org/content/index.p...
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 4:02 pm
Okay. Don’t have a clue what happened. =/
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 4:02 pm
Okay. Don’t have a clue what happened. =/
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 4:02 pm
Okay. Don’t have a clue what happened. =/
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 4:02 pm
Okay. Don’t have a clue what happened. =/
Travis Seitler 01.16.06 at 4:02 pm
Okay. Don’t have a clue what happened. =/
Aaron 01.16.06 at 4:05 pm
:-)
Aaron 01.16.06 at 4:05 pm
:-)
Aaron 01.16.06 at 4:05 pm
:-)
Aaron 01.16.06 at 4:05 pm
:-)
Aaron 01.16.06 at 4:05 pm
:-)
Sean M. Crawford Sr. 01.20.06 at 7:23 am
Okay so I am late with my response. But I do agree (what a black man agreeing with you?) that the dream is still a dream. It saddens me the over the years we as a society have not moved towards making it a reality.
It is sad that some of my fellow African-Americans are under the impression that in order to achieve the dream you have to work towards it.
It saddens me that our Africn-American communities have given up on achieving the dream but yet use the day to manifest anger towards “The Man” for something that truly is not valid.
Like I wrote in my post “Observing MLK Day” Prayerfully I will be alive to see “The Dream” become a reality. But it has got to start within first.
(Edited to add a link to the MLK story)
Sean M. Crawford Sr. 01.20.06 at 7:23 am
Okay so I am late with my response. But I do agree (what a black man agreeing with you?) that the dream is still a dream. It saddens me the over the years we as a society have not moved towards making it a reality.
It is sad that some of my fellow African-Americans are under the impression that in order to achieve the dream you have to work towards it.
It saddens me that our Africn-American communities have given up on achieving the dream but yet use the day to manifest anger towards “The Man” for something that truly is not valid.
Like I wrote in my post “Observing MLK Day” Prayerfully I will be alive to see “The Dream” become a reality. But it has got to start within first.
(Edited to add a link to the MLK story)
Sean M. Crawford Sr. 01.20.06 at 7:23 am
Okay so I am late with my response. But I do agree (what a black man agreeing with you?) that the dream is still a dream. It saddens me the over the years we as a society have not moved towards making it a reality.
It is sad that some of my fellow African-Americans are under the impression that in order to achieve the dream you have to work towards it.
It saddens me that our Africn-American communities have given up on achieving the dream but yet use the day to manifest anger towards “The Man” for something that truly is not valid.
Like I wrote in my post “Observing MLK Day” Prayerfully I will be alive to see “The Dream” become a reality. But it has got to start within first.
(Edited to add a link to the MLK story)
Sean M. Crawford Sr. 01.20.06 at 7:23 am
Okay so I am late with my response. But I do agree (what a black man agreeing with you?) that the dream is still a dream. It saddens me the over the years we as a society have not moved towards making it a reality.
It is sad that some of my fellow African-Americans are under the impression that in order to achieve the dream you have to work towards it.
It saddens me that our Africn-American communities have given up on achieving the dream but yet use the day to manifest anger towards “The Man” for something that truly is not valid.
Like I wrote in my post “Observing MLK Day” Prayerfully I will be alive to see “The Dream” become a reality. But it has got to start within first.
(Edited to add a link to the MLK story)
Sean M. Crawford Sr. 01.20.06 at 7:23 am
Okay so I am late with my response. But I do agree (what a black man agreeing with you?) that the dream is still a dream. It saddens me the over the years we as a society have not moved towards making it a reality.
It is sad that some of my fellow African-Americans are under the impression that in order to achieve the dream you have to work towards it.
It saddens me that our Africn-American communities have given up on achieving the dream but yet use the day to manifest anger towards “The Man” for something that truly is not valid.
Like I wrote in my post “Observing MLK Day” Prayerfully I will be alive to see “The Dream” become a reality. But it has got to start within first.
(Edited to add a link to the MLK story)
Aaron 01.20.06 at 12:43 pm
Man, my mail delivery is running about 4-8 hours behind schedule. I just got this notice fomr HOURS ago… :\
One thing that strikes me about the MLK thing (and it applies in different situations to different groups of people, but its the same thing)… MLK had the hopes and dreams of his people in mind which made him right! Many African-Americans today only use that message to further their own hopes and dreams. How many times have you heard black folks talk saying things like “black folks do this…” or “the African American community thinks…” The reality is, they are speaking for themselves and representing themselves and pushing their own agenda at the expense of a whole community.
Incidentally, politicians do this too by saying things like, “The American people don’t mind paying more taxes if it will help jump start the economy”, when in fact, that may or may not be true but it furthers a personal agenda.
Aaron 01.20.06 at 12:43 pm
Man, my mail delivery is running about 4-8 hours behind schedule. I just got this notice fomr HOURS ago… :
One thing that strikes me about the MLK thing (and it applies in different situations to different groups of people, but its the same thing)… MLK had the hopes and dreams of his people in mind which made him right! Many African-Americans today only use that message to further their own hopes and dreams. How many times have you heard black folks talk saying things like “black folks do this…” or “the African American community thinks…” The reality is, they are speaking for themselves and representing themselves and pushing their own agenda at the expense of a whole community.
Incidentally, politicians do this too by saying things like, “The American people don’t mind paying more taxes if it will help jump start the economy”, when in fact, that may or may not be true but it furthers a personal agenda.
Aaron 01.20.06 at 12:43 pm
Man, my mail delivery is running about 4-8 hours behind schedule. I just got this notice fomr HOURS ago… :
One thing that strikes me about the MLK thing (and it applies in different situations to different groups of people, but its the same thing)… MLK had the hopes and dreams of his people in mind which made him right! Many African-Americans today only use that message to further their own hopes and dreams. How many times have you heard black folks talk saying things like “black folks do this…” or “the African American community thinks…” The reality is, they are speaking for themselves and representing themselves and pushing their own agenda at the expense of a whole community.
Incidentally, politicians do this too by saying things like, “The American people don’t mind paying more taxes if it will help jump start the economy”, when in fact, that may or may not be true but it furthers a personal agenda.
Aaron 01.20.06 at 12:43 pm
Man, my mail delivery is running about 4-8 hours behind schedule. I just got this notice fomr HOURS ago… :
One thing that strikes me about the MLK thing (and it applies in different situations to different groups of people, but its the same thing)… MLK had the hopes and dreams of his people in mind which made him right! Many African-Americans today only use that message to further their own hopes and dreams. How many times have you heard black folks talk saying things like “black folks do this…” or “the African American community thinks…” The reality is, they are speaking for themselves and representing themselves and pushing their own agenda at the expense of a whole community.
Incidentally, politicians do this too by saying things like, “The American people don’t mind paying more taxes if it will help jump start the economy”, when in fact, that may or may not be true but it furthers a personal agenda.
Aaron 01.20.06 at 12:43 pm
Man, my mail delivery is running about 4-8 hours behind schedule. I just got this notice fomr HOURS ago… :
One thing that strikes me about the MLK thing (and it applies in different situations to different groups of people, but its the same thing)… MLK had the hopes and dreams of his people in mind which made him right! Many African-Americans today only use that message to further their own hopes and dreams. How many times have you heard black folks talk saying things like “black folks do this…” or “the African American community thinks…” The reality is, they are speaking for themselves and representing themselves and pushing their own agenda at the expense of a whole community.
Incidentally, politicians do this too by saying things like, “The American people don’t mind paying more taxes if it will help jump start the economy”, when in fact, that may or may not be true but it furthers a personal agenda.
nojok3 06.17.06 at 10:24 pm
I’d much rather see Columbus day be abolished than MLK. I see your point in that he is not as respected and it is more just a day off of work/school.
Columbus shouldn’t even be considered for a guy who wasn’t even the first guy in the country. He pretty much led a genocide when he made his way onto the Americas and was cruel to the Native Americans (see Howard Zinn).
nojok3 06.17.06 at 10:24 pm
I’d much rather see Columbus day be abolished than MLK. I see your point in that he is not as respected and it is more just a day off of work/school.
Columbus shouldn’t even be considered for a guy who wasn’t even the first guy in the country. He pretty much led a genocide when he made his way onto the Americas and was cruel to the Native Americans (see Howard Zinn).
nojok3 06.17.06 at 10:24 pm
I’d much rather see Columbus day be abolished than MLK. I see your point in that he is not as respected and it is more just a day off of work/school.
Columbus shouldn’t even be considered for a guy who wasn’t even the first guy in the country. He pretty much led a genocide when he made his way onto the Americas and was cruel to the Native Americans (see Howard Zinn).
nojok3 06.17.06 at 10:24 pm
I’d much rather see Columbus day be abolished than MLK. I see your point in that he is not as respected and it is more just a day off of work/school.
Columbus shouldn’t even be considered for a guy who wasn’t even the first guy in the country. He pretty much led a genocide when he made his way onto the Americas and was cruel to the Native Americans (see Howard Zinn).
nojok3 06.17.06 at 10:24 pm
I’d much rather see Columbus day be abolished than MLK. I see your point in that he is not as respected and it is more just a day off of work/school.
Columbus shouldn’t even be considered for a guy who wasn’t even the first guy in the country. He pretty much led a genocide when he made his way onto the Americas and was cruel to the Native Americans (see Howard Zinn).
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