Happy Birthday King
Blog Posted:1/18/2009 10:58:00 AM
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<DIV>On Monday we will celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King who was born on January 15, 1929. He would have been eighty years old tomorrow. A native of Georgia, Dr. King was born at his family's home in N.E., Atlanta. He was the first son and second child born to the Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr. and Alberta Williams King. He married Coretta Scott in Alabama on June 18, 1953. Dr. King who was highly <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-corrected id=SPELLING_ERROR_0>successful</SPAN> in school, entered <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-error id=SPELLING_ERROR_1 onclick=BLOG_clickHandler(this)>Morehouse</SPAN> college at the age of fifteen, and in 1948 graduated with a degree in Sociology. The following fall he enrolled in <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-error id=SPELLING_ERROR_2 onclick=BLOG_clickHandler(this)>Crozer</SPAN> Theological Seminary in <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-corrected id=SPELLING_ERROR_3>Chester</SPAN>, Pennsylvania. In 1951 Martin Luther King, Jr. graduated from <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-error id=SPELLING_ERROR_4 onclick=BLOG_clickHandler(this)>Crozer</SPAN> with a degree in Divinity. The following fall he began his doctoral studies at Boston University. Four years later in 1955 Martin became Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He went on to receive twenty honorary degrees from various colleges and universities. Dr King who went on to lead several congregations was thrusted into the leadership role of civil rights leader when he helped organize the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott from 1955 to 1956. He was arrested thirty eight times for his role in civil rights activities. Dr. King's speech in Washington in 1963 is considered to be his most famous speech, and one of the greatest speeches to ever be delivered. Speaking to thousands of people, King inspired the masses with lines such as, "I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-error id=SPELLING_ERROR_5 onclick=BLOG_clickHandler(this)>content</SPAN> of their character." Dr. King also stated in that famous speech about his dream for <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-corrected id=SPELLING_ERROR_6>everyone</SPAN> to live as brothers and sisters, and be able to live together, pray together, and stand up for freedom together. Five years later after that famous speech Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-corrected id=SPELLING_ERROR_7>assassinated</SPAN> by James Earl Ray while standing on a balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-corrected id=SPELLING_ERROR_8>Tennessee</SPAN>. Dr. King died on April 4, 1968.<BR><BR>So where is the dream today? Are we living the way Dr. King intended, or are we still holding on to archaic traditions and views that are crippling us as a nation. What would Dr. King say about some of us Black men? Would he be appalled at the condition we are in? Some of us need to look closely at the legacy we are leaving in this world. We need to <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-corrected id=SPELLING_ERROR_9>divorce</SPAN> ourselves from the ghetto mindset, and embrace our roles as fathers and providers. We need to put away the guns and stop selling drugs in our communities. We need to embrace education and a desire to love <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-corrected id=SPELLING_ERROR_10>ourselves</SPAN> and our fellowmen. Why do you call me brother then look for a way to rob me? Shouldn't you be trying to help me? We need to forget about the million man marches, and the million youth marches because they only solve the problems temporarily. Each of us need to investigate our priorities, and decide what are our <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-corrected id=SPELLING_ERROR_11>purpose</SPAN> in life is. There won't be any handouts and Dr. King didn't intend for us to get any. He was motivated by a desire to learn, non-violence, and fairness for all. We need to put our hands back in our pockets and start being productive in society, because we are owed nothing. The forty acres and mule will never come, and what the hell will we do with it anyway?<BR><BR>The reverent Al <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-error id=SPELLING_ERROR_12 onclick=BLOG_clickHandler(this)>Sharpton</SPAN>, Jesse Jackson, and the minster Louis <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-error id=SPELLING_ERROR_13 onclick=BLOG_clickHandler(this)>Farakan </SPAN>all need to be ashamed of themselves for exploiting and pimping Black people. You have treated the Black people like prostitutes, using us and moving on after you have been satisfied. In all of your efforts, what was the motivation? What was accomplished? What were the results? How did Black people benefit from your actions? Dr. King didn't pimp his people for self gain. He rose up because he <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-corrected id=SPELLING_ERROR_14>received</SPAN> the call, and felt a sense of urgency to help the Black race. He didn't go to prison to lose weight like Al <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-error id=SPELLING_ERROR_15 onclick=BLOG_clickHandler(this)>Sharpton</SPAN> did a few years ago. Dr. King's goal in going to prison was to create change in a society that was resisting change. You guys are totally useless, and we don't need you to oversee the Black race. You have made a mess and Dr. King would be ashamed.<BR><BR>Dr. King whose life was ended contrary to how he lived was a <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-corrected id=SPELLING_ERROR_16>brilliant</SPAN> man with a purpose from a higher being to change our world. He believed that we should love ourselves and our brothers and sisters, and work to make a difference no matter how small. We need to stop the hatred and move to embrace everyone for what they are. On July 3, 1974 after his wife Mrs. Alberta Williams King was gunned down while sitting at the organ in the Ebenezer <SPAN class=blsp-spelling-corrected id=SPELLING_ERROR_17>Baptist</SPAN> Church in Atlanta, The Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr., who at this time lost two sons and now his wife to violence said, "I cannot hate any man." Neither will I. Happy Birthday Dr. King.</DIV>
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