Today is Martin Luther King Day, a day designed to commemorate the work and struggles of a man who sought dignity and opportunity for his people, but did so in a non-violent manner seeking peace and harmony of all peoples who were American citizens. I was a young teenager at the height of his time in the South and while many had misgivings and concerns during those times, most of us realized there were things that needed to be done so that all of God's children would be treated in a loving fashion in a country founded on belief in God.
Dr. King had his dream and he wanted to see it come to fruition without violence and hate and under the guidance of God's hand, for he knew that nothing good would come of anything derived in hate. And I think most of us began to recognize that quickly and, frankly, in many ways despite what you hear our President of today say, the South made great strides quickly and overcame the reluctance that people naturally have to sudden change. The South that I know is quite open and fair with everyone. We only want all people who seek to better their lives to be willing to work hard and fairly alongside those who do the same.
So what would Dr. King think of America if he were here today? How would he view the modern civil rights movement with it's demand for reparations, continued government welfare programs, special employment programs, race-baiting speakers and positions, and neighborhood crime, single motherhood, drugs and gang activities? What would he think of the Trayvon Martin situation? And, above all, what would he think of the Al Sharptons, the Jesse Jacksons, and even the Barack Obamas of the country?
From hearing some of his speeches, particularly his "I Have a Dream" speech, and reading his words and thoughts, I think he would be appalled. I think he would take a position more akin to that of Bill Cosby or Dr. Ben Carson than the aforementioned spokesmen. Dr. King sought opportunity and I think he would have only been a supporter of direct financial support and assistance as a short term measure to lift people out of the mire, not to keep them in it forever. The War on Poverty, an action which was begun partly as a result of his movement, would have never been seen by him as a lifelong hand out. Today it's been underway for fifty years and the result is backward motion. Dr. King realized that the only way to to improve oneself was through education, hard work and persistence in showing what one was made of and what one could do. He never dreamed of his people living a permanent lifestyle requiring handouts while carrying out a lifestyle that was ungodly and detrimental to good social behavior as so many do today. And this situation today is by no means limited to one race.
And of the questions I asked early on, one really stands out today. What would Dr. King think of the work that Barack Obama is doing as President? Well, I think he would be appalled at the divisiveness of the man and the clear lack of love for humanity and America in his heart. You see, Dr. King was a visionary who was above politics; he was not a lowly politician willing to say anything or do anything to advance goals that were questionable at best and downright dangerous at their worst. He probably would have tried to counsel the President on the importance of the American dream for all people but I think it would likely have fallen on deaf ears.
So folks, whether you liked Dr. King or not, he was a man who truly wanted to make America a better place and I don't think that was limited to just a certain group of Americans. I believe in his heart he saw a stronger nation, a better nation and one where all people, regardless of color, could improve their lot based upon the content of their character and their willingness to do the heavy lifting. All he sought for each of us was a fair chance. That his movement which began in a search for freedom and liberty under God was hijacked by those seeking to gain power and riches off of the downtrodden is a disgrace and I imagine that as he looks down at the scene he is shaking his head and shedding a few tears.
Wake up, America and let's see the light. With the return of truth and moral righteousness through God we can right this ship and head it in the direction that many like the Founders and Dr. King sought. But we can't wait for phony hope and change forever. Happy Birthday, Dr. King and God bless America.
Dr. King had his dream and he wanted to see it come to fruition without violence and hate and under the guidance of God's hand, for he knew that nothing good would come of anything derived in hate. And I think most of us began to recognize that quickly and, frankly, in many ways despite what you hear our President of today say, the South made great strides quickly and overcame the reluctance that people naturally have to sudden change. The South that I know is quite open and fair with everyone. We only want all people who seek to better their lives to be willing to work hard and fairly alongside those who do the same.
So what would Dr. King think of America if he were here today? How would he view the modern civil rights movement with it's demand for reparations, continued government welfare programs, special employment programs, race-baiting speakers and positions, and neighborhood crime, single motherhood, drugs and gang activities? What would he think of the Trayvon Martin situation? And, above all, what would he think of the Al Sharptons, the Jesse Jacksons, and even the Barack Obamas of the country?
From hearing some of his speeches, particularly his "I Have a Dream" speech, and reading his words and thoughts, I think he would be appalled. I think he would take a position more akin to that of Bill Cosby or Dr. Ben Carson than the aforementioned spokesmen. Dr. King sought opportunity and I think he would have only been a supporter of direct financial support and assistance as a short term measure to lift people out of the mire, not to keep them in it forever. The War on Poverty, an action which was begun partly as a result of his movement, would have never been seen by him as a lifelong hand out. Today it's been underway for fifty years and the result is backward motion. Dr. King realized that the only way to to improve oneself was through education, hard work and persistence in showing what one was made of and what one could do. He never dreamed of his people living a permanent lifestyle requiring handouts while carrying out a lifestyle that was ungodly and detrimental to good social behavior as so many do today. And this situation today is by no means limited to one race.
And of the questions I asked early on, one really stands out today. What would Dr. King think of the work that Barack Obama is doing as President? Well, I think he would be appalled at the divisiveness of the man and the clear lack of love for humanity and America in his heart. You see, Dr. King was a visionary who was above politics; he was not a lowly politician willing to say anything or do anything to advance goals that were questionable at best and downright dangerous at their worst. He probably would have tried to counsel the President on the importance of the American dream for all people but I think it would likely have fallen on deaf ears.
So folks, whether you liked Dr. King or not, he was a man who truly wanted to make America a better place and I don't think that was limited to just a certain group of Americans. I believe in his heart he saw a stronger nation, a better nation and one where all people, regardless of color, could improve their lot based upon the content of their character and their willingness to do the heavy lifting. All he sought for each of us was a fair chance. That his movement which began in a search for freedom and liberty under God was hijacked by those seeking to gain power and riches off of the downtrodden is a disgrace and I imagine that as he looks down at the scene he is shaking his head and shedding a few tears.
Wake up, America and let's see the light. With the return of truth and moral righteousness through God we can right this ship and head it in the direction that many like the Founders and Dr. King sought. But we can't wait for phony hope and change forever. Happy Birthday, Dr. King and God bless America.
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