40 Years of Progress and The Work That Remains

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Forty years later we focus on the beliefs of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., embraced by our nation immediately after his death.

Prior to his assassination, Dr. King was hated and often despised by the American government which maintained a strong assault on his character throughout his life. Hoover, leading the mission to destroy him, often fed information to the press intended to arouse suspicions about Dr. King, suspicions which aided the government in attempts to portray him, and his opposition to the war, as treasonous. It was one of many awkward characterizations and forms of hatred that Dr. King would always struggle against.

Accordingly and in spite of this, Dr. King's goal was clear and consistently expressed throughout his life of public service. He sought to detoxify our nation, to rid the country of hate, division, and fear along the lines of not only race, but age, gender and all exploitable differences. We can see a progression from the time of his death until today---moving ever closer to the realization of his goal.

1970 - 18 Years Olds Receive the Right to Vote

1974 - New Residency Rules Allow Students and Others to Vote When Living Away From Their Primary Residence

1975 - Bi-lingual Ballots Mandated by Law

1990 -- Accommodations to Assist the Disabled in Voting Mandated by Law

This progression underscores the slow but sure rebirth of America - our shift towards modern democracy - that began in Selma, Alabama driven by the dreams of Martin Luther King. Whites and African Americans, men and women, old and young, now more than ever represent a rainbow of equality and progress. The indecency and barbarism aimed at Dr.King and others of his era are being replaced with decency and meliorism.

But there is yet work to be done. As we face economic struggle caused by our actions abroad and wrestle domestic poverty and unemployment at some of the highest levels to date, it becomes our new work to invest in our society. We witness the trends of investment seeping out of our country. We see guns and drugs coming in. We see taxes going up and wages going down. It's time we witness investment in our society and demand that this investment elicit returns and movement in a new direction.

Both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton represent potential conduits for that return on investment. They recognize the necessity to end this life draining and money draining war. With an end to our involvement, budgeted war dollars can be the preliminary reinvestment in social and economic programs that our nation needs, stimulating education, infrastructure, health care and social welfare.

It is necessary for our leaders to ensure the highest return on this investment by upholding and enforcing civil rights laws and fair lending laws that guarantee all Americans an opportunity to succeed. The current economic crisis in the housing market was the consequence of a system with no regulation and no transparency--in which fair lending was not enforced and therefore not practiced. One half of those suffering from sub-prime loans were actually eligible for prime loans. However, these individuals were pushed towards higher risk/higher reward loans by a financial industry seeking higher profit.

Our current financial struggles are evidence that toxicity remains in America. It should be our work and the work of the next administration to continue to struggle against fear and corruption, and detoxify our country. Again, both Barack and Hillary represent a real conduit for that new, healthy America.

In the 40 years since the death of Dr. King, much has been accomplished in moving toward his hopes and dreams for our nation and its people. But the realization of Dr. King's goal is ongoing, and we have unfinished business.

Comments

[CC1]

And no I am not white, I have Iranian ancestry.

[CC1]

Nothing can convince me that Sharpton and Jackson want to get rid of discrimination entirely, because they make a fine living off of it. They do not want equal rights for all, they want black supremacy. They want the situation from the 1960s reversed, they want payback.

[Fairfloss]

Forty years of looking ahead and not wasting to much time looking back is a good sign for this country. I have seen many changes in my life time and I know more will come. Changes for the better do not come easily or rapidly. When we look at each other we should not see the color of each others skin but the content of each others character. Those can not just be words, but deeply meant and felt. I admired Dr King then and I still admire him now.

Senator Barack Obama is not Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. No one could ever be. He was an original, the one and only. Many of us raised our families differently because of Dr. King. He was a gift.
Electing the next President simply because he is minor or she is a woman is insulting to every Americans intelligence. If that is the case, than we should remember there is a large bloc of voters that are senior citizens. They might just vote for the senior citizen who is also a candidate. Perhaps, we should wait and see who his running mate will be and who the democratic nominee is. ; )=)

[carmenjonze]

Wow, 28 posts and only 2 non-sequitir mentions of "Jeremiah Wright", Typical White People's latest bugbear. Congratulations to all.

[carmenjonze]

Charlton Heston is dead.

[ChiGuy]

As the 11:27 p.m. post by "Nofuzzydreams" confirms, there is indeed unfinished business.

I scanned this page of the thread for three words: "African" (as in African American), "White", and "Black"

"African" - Jackson, once.
"White" - Jackson once, Nofuzzy twice.
"Black" - Nofuzzy three times.

It's disheartening, to say the least, that such antipathy based on false assumptions still permeates even sites such as this, where the level of intelligent discourse should be of a higher measure.

[spacealien]

Reverend,

Keep spreading the word. Hillary or Barack are excellent choices for change. Having a white female president or a minority male president would be good for america. They are both intelligent, experienced and focused on equality, either would be better than a McCain presidency.

[Nofuzzydreams]

You have always preached victimhood and found the answer to all problems in the black community in blaming the white man. You have not been able to inspire the black community - that is why we have 70% of the children born out of wedlock in the black community. This article continues to perpetuate victimhood instead of being inspiring to the black community at large to rise up, take charge and do something from within - and ignore Jesse Jackson's message of victimhood and expectations from the white man.

[ChiGuy]

Wow. Talk about a not-very-well-hidden agenda!

Could you be any more obvious?

[electress]

Jesse, I heard you then, I hear you now! Yea, it was said you've come along way baby,
Wright!

[lisakaz]

Rev. Jackson,

Some years ago, I showed DW Griffith's "Birth of a Nation" to a history class. All but one student watched (I advised the one who walked out to stay as better to know than not know); my point was that what was acceptable to see or print (the endorsement of Wilson appears as text) clearly cannot exist as acceptable discourse in our society like it was in 1913. So, even in the last 40 years, a lot HAS been done, yes. Indeed, let me add to this. In January 2007, Rep John Lewis received an American Historical Association award for public service in part named after Woodrow Wilson. No one mentioned the irony. I chuckled all evening (Wilson is not a favorite of mine): perfect! That'll show 'em! I'd call that progress, too.

Sure much can be done still. Every small step helps!

[sdrawkcab]

The rate of change in America has been -- there's no other word for it -- heartbreaking.

Think of it -- 40 years. Ten (10) Presidential terms. That is my entire lifetime for this American (born 1967 in Okinawa, Japan).

Jesse, can you imagine TEN more presidential elections with this rate of progress?

[ObGyn]

Rev Jackson. If you want to be part of the solution, now is the time for you to go away and be quiet. Please give this message to Al Sharpton too. Both of you are too divisive to have any positive contribution. Thanks in advance.

[Binea]

I found nothing divisive in this article. Was it this - "Accordingly and in spite of this, Dr. King's goal was clear and consistently expressed throughout his life of public service. He sought to detoxify our nation, to rid the country of hate, division, and fear along the lines of not only race, but age, gender and all exploitable differences. We can see a progression from the time of his death until today---moving ever closer to the realization of his goal. "
or was it this - "This progression underscores the slow but sure rebirth of America - our shift towards modern democracy - that began in Selma, Alabama driven by the dreams of Martin Luther King. Whites and African Americans, men and women, old and young, now more than ever represent a rainbow of equality and progress. The indecency and barbarism aimed at Dr.King and others of his era are being replaced with decency and meliorism. " ?

[follyeoa]

What in hell gives you the qualification to tell anyone to go away. There was nothing devisive about this article or is there any rational comparison between Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. If you want to see devisive then listen again to Jeremiah Wright and his anti semitism and Dr. Kin's feelings on the subject:
http://politicalmavens.com/index.php/2008/04/04/mlk-anti-zionism-is-anti-semitism/

[thankulord13]

No why don't you go away! You and your ridiculous statement! If you don't like what the Reverend Jackson has to say don't listen and don't read it... King was called divisive because he told the truth and what I find with White America is you don't like to hear truths it makes you feel uncomfortable and we can't have that can we!

[Binea]

OB..that was uncalled for.What Mr.Jackson wrote was very good and the opposite of divisive.Maggots feed off the rotting carcass's of the past...you are looking a bit wormy.Point out what in this article was divisive..I don't see it.

[Lisette]

Dr. King was a saint who transcended through one of the Beatitudes.
When he said that he had been to the mountaintop and knew he would not live to see the Promised Land, that is how you know he communed with God. At some point of his ministry he crossed a line into sainthood.

[Binea]

You can't trust anything Hillary say's she has done or say's she will do.

[ResidentChimp]

I thought the road to our democratization began in 1776. How do you have a "frank discussion of race" if you label those who disagree with you racists?

[follyeoa]

I believe Jesse said "our shift towards modern democracy". There is no accusation of racism in this article.
Thank you Reverend Jackson for all you have done.

[donaldw6]

Maybe it's because you're too shy and retiring, RC. Maybe you're just not confrontational enough.

[LawOfAttraction]

Acknowledging what someone is doesn't prohibit conversation. It begins it.

Or are you defending racists right to be racist, but not named as such for what they are?

The old bit of wisdom goes "Ah.. but to see one's self as others see us..".
Self delusion is a sad mental game to play with one's self.

Honesty is the first step to personal growth.

[ResidentChimp]

Do you consider Ferarro's observation of Obama racist?

[LawOfAttraction]

That fact that you have to ask that question tells us more about your views than you're ready to admit.

Here's I'll quote myself from another post:

"The racist comments made by Geraldine Ferraro that attribute Barack Obama's phenomenal success not to his eloquence, vision, intelligence, inspirational oratory, dynamic personality, charisma, winning smile, sense of humor, good looks, captivating and timely message of change, courage and prescient stance on the Iraq war, but to his SKIN COLOR are reprehensible, disgusting and an evoiutionary throwback to a bygone era of Jim Crow and Archie Bunker mentality.

And for you shortsighted racists, let me finish that "If Barack Obama was a white male" sentence for you.

If Barack Obama was a White male, he'd be JOHN EDWARDS.

And if John Edwards had HALF of Barack Obama's eloquence, vision, oratory skill, charisma, grass roots support and fundraising talent, he'd have wrapped up the nomination back in February."

[donaldw6]

Yup.

[Binea]

part 3 - We all know government is plagued by red tape, isn"t efficient and doesn"t work as it should. Increasing transparency and accountability is a huge first step. But that is only half the equation. We also need policymakers to make significant changes after we all get to see the horror and reckless spending that will be revealed by shining the light on government spending and earmarks.
This means we"ll need leaders willing to cut under- or non-performing programs or activities in some cases. Initiatives at any level of government that pair transparency with accountability will set us on the road to performance-based government rather then our current system which is plagued by secrecy, wasteful spending and pork projects.
After losing the House and Senate in 2006, Republicans pledged to return to their fiscally conservative roots. Yet, with Sen. Brownback leaving the race, more Democratic presidential candidates have signed the oath than Republicans. Accountability and transparency should be embraced by both major parties.
Taxpayers are demanding that elected officials at all levels of government respect us enough to show us what they"re doing on our behalf. It"s our money after all.
Amanda Kathryn Hydro is Director of Policy Development for the Reason Foundation. Jason Mercier is Director of the Center for Government Reform for the Seattle-based Washington Policy Center.

[Binea]

part 2 Making the government more accountable to taxpayers, and more transparent, is a non-partisan issue, which is why a diverse, wide array of three dozen organizations from across the nation has joined the effort.
"Every American has the right to know how the government spends their tax dollars, but for too long that information has been largely hidden from public view," notes Sen. Obama.
Rep. Paul explains, "When government spends the people"s money, it must be done with utmost possible transparency."
Since these comments reflect such a basic principle of accountability, one is left wondering what Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, John McCain, Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani have against providing taxpayers with details on how well their money is spent.
This is why the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the nation"s largest nonpartisan, individual membership organization of state legislators, recently adopted model legislation to implement state versions of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. ALEC also adopted a model bill to require that the public have at least 72 hours to review tax and spending bills before they are voted on.
Several states have already moved forward with some form of transparency reforms, including Missouri, Texas, Kansas, Virginia, Minnesota, Hawaii, South Carolina, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

[Binea]

Agree with everything you said..except for Hillary.I trust Obama because on the issues because " Everyone has heard of Rep. Don Young"s (R-Alaska) infamous bridge to nowhere" the congressional earmark that secured $231 million to build a bridge to an island inhabited by roughly 50 people.
But the bridge to nowhere isn"t the only egregious waste of taxpayer money. Citizens Against Government Waste found Congress allocated $2.4 billion to 24 pork projects this year alone.
Taxpayers usually have no way of finding out where their money actually goes or how it is truly spent. Government reform groups are trying to change that by pushing efforts at the federal, state and local level that would shine the light on government spending.
Enter Sen. Barack Obama, Rep. Ron Paul, Sen. Sam Brownback, Sen. Mike Gravel, Rep. Dennis Kucinch and Mr. John Cox. These presidential candidates have all embraced the concept of "Google government" by signing the Oath of Presidential Transparency" which is sponsored by a non-partisan coalition led by the Reason Foundation.
By signing the oath they are promising, should they win the presidency in 2008, that they will issue an executive order during their first month in office instructing the entire executive branch to put into practice the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, a Google-like search tool that will allow taxpayers to hop online and see exactly how their tax dollars are being spent on federal contracts, grants and earmarks..
Part one

[spacealien]

No matter if you "like" Hillarious Clinton or not - this is not about likeability at the end of the day she is a good candidate. She is qualified. Don't be emotional, her agenda falls in line with a democratic vision. Hillz is a pitbull in a pantsuit, she will fight for us, she will basically destroy ANYTHING in her path. She's a wolf & a bear combined. She is always up at 3 am. You must respect her game. She'll eat a republican for breakfast, she's no joke.

[Jazz42]

Reverend Jackson.
Although progress has been made since the assassination of Dr King. There has been some progress, but there is much more to be done.

[YellerDawg]

Mr. Jackson, I voted for you twice, and yet, on Huffpo, for daring to support Hillary Clinton, I have been called everything but human, including racist and homophobic. As I am a gay person of color, I don't think either slur is appropriate. What I appreciate most about your post are its precision and objectivity, qualities rarely found on Huffpo. Thank you for your life's work.