MLK : Letter from a Birmingham jail; lest we forget.

[Faygo Kid]

One of the great statements of humanity in human history.

Thought I would mention it here tonight; if you have not read it, you cannot be fully informed as to who we are and how we got here.

"Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself, and that is what has happened to the American Negro. Something within has reminded him of his birthright of freedom, and something without has reminded him that it can be gained. . . So let him march; let him make prayer pilgrimages to the city hall; let him go on freedom rides - and try to understand why he must do so. If his repressed emotions are not released in nonviolent ways, they will seek expression through violence; this is not a threat but a fact of history. So I have not said to my people: "Get rid of your discontent." Rather, I have tried to say that this normal and healthy discontent can be channeled into the creative outlet of nonviolent direct action. And now this approach is being termed extremist. But though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continued to think about the matter I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label. Was not Jesus an extremist for love: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.". . . http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html

[bluerum]

1. I remember reading it in freshman english. "Way back" in the 70's.

[ruiner4u]

2. very awesome read...However,

it would be nice if the original civil rights leaders were interested in gay rights...Like Fred Shuttlesworth who actively worked AGAINST gay rights laws in Cincinnati.

[Faygo Kid]

4. OK. Thanks for posting.

The original civil rights leaders had their hands full, but were not immune from the prejudices of their times. Those prejudices were and are wrong.

But OK, if they are to be dismissed, so be it.

Have a nice day. April 4, by the way.

[ruiner4u]

6. its ok...

i guess i just believe in civil rights for everyone...


Maybe one day I will have those rights in which Mr. King spoke so eloquently

[Faygo Kid]

7. Then we agree.

And I will be saddened on Friday, because I remember what I was doing on that specific day in 1968, and I only remember a few others, and only a few were happy.

And they involved the Detroit Tigers that year. Think a good thought about Dr. King on Friday, and we'll debate politics another time, my friend.

[Bigleaf]

3. In memory of MLK, U2's Pride (In the Name of Love) video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7COntXhPcI


"Pride (In The Name Of Love)"
One man come in the name of love
One man come and go
One man come he to justify
One man to overthrow

In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love

One man caught on a barbed wire fence
One man he resist
One man washed up on an empty beach
One man betrayed with a kiss

In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love

Nobody like you
Somebody wants to
Somebody to you

Early morning, April four
A shot rings out in the Memphis sky
Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride

In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love

[Faygo Kid]

5. Outstanding. Saw U2 on Colbert rerun tonight.

They are just about as good as it gets. Still. And I say that as someone who originally thought The Animals were as good as it gets.

Maybe they both are. Maybe they touched the same nerve, a generation apart. At any rate, MLK could relate to them both.