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.