Every monument in our nation's capital symbolizes something meaningful about our national character. Lincoln, presiding over the reflecting pool, reminds us of our commitment to overcoming division and guaranteeing equal protection under law. Jefferson, set against the Tidal Basin, symbolizes our steadfast belief in inalienable individuals rights. The WWII memorial, sitting in the center of the mall, depicts our triumph against fascism and our readiness to stand watch against tyranny and injustice.
Martin Luther King was neither a president nor a war hero. The namesake of our newest monument was, for most of his life, a humble preacher forced to live as an outsider in his own community. Yet, with his charismatic voice, visionary leadership, and indefatigable spirit, he symbolized what I believe is most central to our national character: hope.
I do not mean hope in the everyday sense of yearning for something better. I mean hope in the sense of belief that we can overcome our lesser instincts and create a more enlightened society. I mean hope in the sense of belief we can be governed by true conscience or, as Lincoln put it, by "our better angels." I mean hope in the sense of belief we can realize a vision that matches with our highest ideals.
Our nation was founded on this kind of hope. As the first country in the world founded on the basis of principles -- liberty and equality -- rather than any particular ethnic or religious heritage, America was envisioned as an experiment in building a society upon ideals.
We have so often faltered. Yet -- through his writing, speeches, and organizing -- MLK used hope as a force to galvanize us toward realizing America's central principles.
Let's not forget that he also, I believe rightly, fought to expand the set of core principles to which this nation is committed. Namely, he championed the principle of nonviolence and the notion of promoting the intrinsic worth of every living soul.
This is why he took controversial stands even beyond those we commonly celebrate today.
This is why he opposed the Vietnam War and high levels of military spending generally, which, he said, could not "be reconciled with wisdom, justice and love."
This is why he spoke out against the exploitation of the developing world. He decried the world's wealthiest investing "huge sums of money in Asia, Africa and South America, only to take the profits out with no concern for the social betterment of the countries."
This is why he took a stand for domestic economic justice. In stark contrast to what we hear today about the economy's "winners and losers," he deplored the idea that businesses should exploit workers by failing to pay a living wage or laying off longtime workers to squeeze out extra profits for owners. "I never intend to adjust myself," he declared in Michigan in 1963, "to economic conditions that will take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few."
Indeed, the march at which the Reverend delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In addition to calling for desegregation and anti-discrimination laws, he came to Washington to argue for large-scale federal works programs to train and place unemployed workers. This, he believed, was integral to building dignity.
I mention this not to insinuate that Dr. King would support any one particular policy today. Rather, I mention it to clarify that his vision and his passion went beyond political rights.
If we are to solve this nation's big problems today, we must restore our imagination of what a better, more equitable world might look like. We must think about the ways that economic politics have moral dimensions. We must think of what it will take to restore people's livelihoods and dignity amidst the longest deepest global recession in a generation.
As I think of the new monument opening on our national mall, I know one thing: restoring our nation's promise will take a great deal of hope.
Follow Rep. Hansen Clarke on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RepHansenClarke
Andrew Wilkes: Tough Minds and Tender Hearts: An Open Letter to Young Clergy
The child support system is the divide and conquer medium of our culture and only benefits those who work in the industry. We should vote for Shared Parenting Legislation which presumes equal custody. Read more at www.acfc.org.
thanks
But, TRUE HOPE is REAL HOPE. What's the difference between the two?
With ALL hope, three things are consistent: We have a goal or desired outcome, there are the situations/conditions which we face and then there's SELF. IF our hopes are to become reality, at least ONE of these things HAS TO CHANGE - otherwise NOTHING CHANGES.
Quick example: You and I are unexpectedly called in to work. The weather conditions are cold, wet, windy. We both HOPE to get to work and home again, warm dry and comfortable.
You don't change your clothes, just t-shirt and jeans. But I put on coat, gloves, scarf and take umbrella. You catch a cold and in bed for a week. I don't. You acted on FALSE HOPE I acted on TRUE HOPE. We both had a hoped-for outcome, both could'nt change the outside conditions, but we COULD change SELF.
For HOPE to be REAL one needs to either change the outcome, the conditions or Self.
Otherwise you're just sittin'-on'the-fence-wishful-thinkin'. And all you get is constant disappointment.
Martin Luther King WAS a man of TRUE HOPE.
Can we say the same about OURSELVES? Or our governments? Or our Leaders?
Finally we were allowed to enter the grounds of the memorial. I know there has been lots of criticism of the memorial: the likeness is the great civil rights leader is not accurate, it was made in China, it is in a remote place. None of this seemed to matter to the first members of the public who visited the memorial. The atmosphere was like a family reunion, joyous but reverent, happy, but sometimes tearful. As a white man I was in the minority as about eighty percent of those attending were African American. But I felt included in the quiet, degnified celebration of the progress of people who had suffered and endured pain because of their skin color. It struck me that in some way we were fulfilling Rev. King's dream.
It is sad that the official dedication of the memorial had to be cancelled or postponed due to Hurricane Irene. But I like to think that the people with me last Monday already dedicated this inspiring memorial.
Bill Goff
to be continued - Bill Goff
Even after the Civil Right laws Johnson passed after the JFK assassination. I took basic training at Fort Polk Louisiana and saw the "back of the bus", "otherside of the street", segregated water fountains, etc. first hand of the mistreatment of human being, here in America.
Not much Later, assigned to the Pentagon, I got to witness the Assassiantions of MLK and RFK.
It is my earnest understand that these forces that prevented as much as they could that great accomplshiment of these 3 great men are ALIVE and KICKING today. The live well within the Supply Side Economis of Reagan, the Nixon White House and the Bushes Executive Power Supremacy. Support in kind and wealth of the Stock Owners and their Think Tanks of today.
Employing all the great Special Forces, special Ops and Corporate minds along the way
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This is a very white and erroneous perspective.
WHat do you call the marches? the many nites spent in Brimingham jails? the speeches? and finally laying down your life for your beliefs? MLK was an ACTIVIST of the fiercest kind- he was relentless and committed to a vision. JFK and RFK while idealists were privileged and simply in the position to enact legislation in line with their politics and personal ideals.
MLK is by far the single most important AMerican.
I watched an incredable TV show on genetics. It tracked the movement of man in and out of Africa. Think about what I just said, We ALL came from the same root. It talked about the movement and the very slight changes that occured because of environment. Think again, very slight changes in our DNA.
We are what and who we are because of environmental considerations. But, there is one more factor, isn't there? There are cultural differences that occured so that we could live together and master the environment. Cultural differences are a matter of choice.
My example comes from Houston,Texas. There is a great divide between the African American community and the American African community. The US blacks think that the African blacks see themselves as superior. The Africans see the US balcks as lazy with no language skills. The same group, the same genes and two different cultures.
The point I am making is that all humans were black. That we are all equal. What sets us apart is the culture we identify with. Poor thinking never gets rich rewards in economics or culture. The fact that we all had the same grandparents is simple science..
The public in America is not only losing their DREAM, but the Individual Right and Free Choice to life, liberty and the Pursuit of Happienss.
http://www.snopes.com/history/american/mlking.asp
We can't give enough. Unlike most the rest of those we have monuments for in Washington, he did not seek after nor held political office.
"Fawning and (adulation)", "Over The Top", indeed.
Still think this fawning is over the top? Read a history book. King ended American apartheid, and led the nation out of a spiritual malaise into an era of renewed genuine morality and spirituality. In an era of exploding violence and tension, King championed non-violent protest. He was jailed many times for his principles. Name ANY president who has done anything remotely close to that in your lifetime.
I lived during those times, and I can tell you Martin Luther King deserves all we give him and more.
Really, read a book about him. He'll change you too.
Please try to explain to your son that there are other boys and girls of color that would not only love to be his friend but would not stand for him to be harmed. I know at that critical time what I am saying now was unfathomable then, but take it from me...a black man...I have served with all colors and creeds in the U.S. military, we had each others' back.
Some may feel that by commenting on this particular thread about those terrible two years is your attempt to besmirch Dr. King's stance on racial harmony and justice in general and to state specifically that blacks can be as racially vicious as whites.
Let those comments come.
I almost feel the raw pain you must of felt...almost.
For you see, I wasn't there, nor were any future commentators on your above entry. You were however, wiping the tears from your boy's face.
Dr. King wasn't there either, but when he said he envisioned everyone sitting at the same table, I hope you believe he felt that way.
There's a reason he has a monument, he died so a black person can tell a white person your pain is as legitimate as mine would be.
I hope you're Army!