Because Everyone else is bloggin' about MLK

Because it had to be said:

On this rightful day of the commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr and the civil rights movement that he led, I anticipate a reunion of all of the familiar faces who attend such gatherings. White middle class liberals will berate the White working class communities for resisting civil rights efforts. Most White Americans will express the belief quietly in their own homes and in non-public spaces that Dr. King's historical relevance is limited to the African American community. And we have to engage them in dialog about how wrong they are about that.

Rather than summarily and pretentiously dismiss this expression of a false consciousness as a manifestation of ignorance and simple racism, I would like to suggest that the organizers of commemorations perpetuate the miseducation of white working class youth by their distorted depiction of Dr. King's life and work.

First, there will be the ubiquitous recitation of the "I Have A Dream" speech. As poor and working class White as well as Black youth are being killed and maimed in Iraq at this very moment, along with Attaturk (see his comments a few posts below) would like to suggest a recitation which emphasizes the relationships among race, class, AND Bush-led imperialism and idiocy. For this purpose, I would like to suggest that Dr. King's "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break the Silence" would be most appropriate.



Second, I would also suggest that the depiction of the Civil Rights movement is distorted by the personal and religious pacifists who limit its portrayal to their comfort zone. A discussion of Lance Hill's ground breaking history entitled, The Deacons for Defense, is highly recommended. Hill describes the Deacons for Defense as an organization composed primarily of working class combat veterans who subscribed to a multifaceted strategy of non-violent direct action & armed self defense. This portrayal of the Civil Rights movement is far more accurate than the dominant perspective grounded in universal moral imperatives.

Third, I would suggest that we respond to attacks on citizens no matter who they are or where they live. Los Angeles is now literally running down all of Skid Row’s homeless and pushing them out of the downtown area. Corralling them like animals so that development efforts can move forward and the new and old rich alike don't have to face the effects of the Bush economy on the poor.

Let's remember and act on all of MLK's ideals, not just the ones that are convenient or make for the good photo op or political comment of the day (are you listening Fox News?).