Every year on January 15, every SINGLE year

[Number23]

I try to prepare myself for the barrage of MLK threads in GD and for the historical ignorance, tone deafness and overall white washing that always, ALWAYS follows the man around like a bad smell on this board.

I brace myself for the endless threads about how he wasn't "just" a civil rights hero.

I prepare myself for the endless conversations about his involvement in XYZ and how that was equally if not MORE important than his civil rights work.

I steel myself for how his speech on ABC issue was equally if not MORE important than his speeches on black rights and black oppression.

I try to prepare for the comments about how all white people during the Civil Rights Movement loved him and how the only ones that didn't were Republican/conservative/Southern/any group the person speaking is NOT a member of.

I know we've talked about the distortions, white washiing and just flat out dishonesty surrounding MLK over and over and over again in this group and you'd think by now I'd just be used to it.

But yet somehow, every year. Every SINGLE year it just makes me want to knock some heads.

[sheshe2]

1. I hope I did not offend with what I posted, Number23.

What most people who reference Dr. King seem not to know is how Dr. King actually changed the subjective experience of life in the United States for African Americans. And yeah, I said for African Americans, not for Americans, because his main impact was his effect on the lives of African Americans, not on Americans in general. His main impact was not to make white people nicer or fairer. That's why some of us who are African Americans get a bit possessive about his legacy. Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy, despite what our civil religion tells us, is not color blind.

snip

They made black people experience the worst of the worst, collectively, that white people could dish out, and discover that it wasn't that bad. They taught black people how to take a beating—from the southern cops, from police dogs, from fire department hoses. They actually coached young people how to crouch, cover their heads with their arms and take the beating. They taught people how to go to jail, which terrified most decent people.

snip

That is what Dr. King did—not march, not give good speeches. He crisscrossed the south organizing people, helping them not be afraid, and encouraging them, like Gandhi did in India, to take the beating that they had been trying to avoid all their lives.

Once the beating was over, we were free.

It wasn't the Civil Rights Act, or the Voting Rights Act or the Fair Housing Act that freed us. It was taking the beating and thereafter not being afraid. So, sorry Mrs. Clinton, as much as I admire you, you were wrong on this one. Our people freed ourselves and those Acts, as important as they were, were only white people officially recognizing what we had done.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/08/29/1011562/-Most-of-you-have-no-idea-what-Martin-Luther-King-actually-did

I saw your link to this article. So I am going to guess I did not offend, I surely hope so. I would never do that.

[Number23]

6. No, you most DEFINITELY did not offend! I didn't even see your post

and even if I had, I'd be agreeing with it, not pissed at it!

[sheshe2]

11. I did it here, with a link

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026107024

I have caused much, let me put this politely, hair on fire for posting to smartypants site. Damn I love her LOL~

You may remember this one.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024531063

I have many many more. She is my favorite go to person. A white woman nailing the race factor every damn time. She is a bad ass!

Thanks Number23~

[onecaliberal]

2. I took my 14 year old twins to see Selma today

We had an amazing conversation about civil rights and now they truly understand Dr Kings importance in the battle for civil rights. This will never be just another day off school for them. Yes there were flaws in the story but it takes nothing away from his importance. Everyone who was not old enough or alive yet should see this movie!

[Number23]

7. So glad to hear the wonderful reviews of 'Selma'!

It seems as though this film is really making a (desperately needed) impact.

[Starry Messenger]

3. I put three white people on my FB restricted list this month.

The zombie-like repetition criticizing Ferguson protesters, coupled with a picture of MLK. "He didn't die so this chaos could occur!"

MadTV or someone needs to do a short skit of "How to Celebrate Misquoting MLK Day."

[Number23]

8. I think Key and Peele would KILL it.

A skit on "How NOT to celebrate the legacy of MLK" replete with people just as you described as well as the oblivious who burn a million calories acting as though the man's life mission was any and everything but improving the lives and conditions of his people.

Hell, I just might write the dang thing myself.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

15. They could do one on the SOU in that the rigtwingers dont want to invite the Prez to the House

Chamber to do it.

There is an endless supply of idiotic racist garbage for them to choose from

[JI7]

4. it actually seems to get worse every year

[Number23]

9. I think so too. I really, really think so too

[jimlup]

5. Yeah I remember that time well...

The real '60's that is, not the white washed version we usually here about in the fantasy.

I was a white almost adolesent. I remember asking my parents specifically about MLK. They said "Well we agree with him but his methods are too extreme." I also recall asking my mom about his funeral and if we would have gone had we been there (at that time we were no longer in Atlanta) and she said no because he was too radical.

That is what even the most liberal whites thought of MLK in 60's.

As an aside I also remember a time when I was around 5 or 6 years old and traveling with my parents in North Carolina. (We lived in Atlanta at the time and were visiting my Grandparents.) I saw a "whites only" drinking fountain and asked what that meant. My mom explained and to her credit explained to me that it was wrong and that colored people were just the same as us and it was wrong to do things like that. I made a point of going and drinking from the colored drinking fountain because it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. I do think I was like 6 or so but I don't totally remember. To her credit, my mom was proud of me for that. My parents were later involved in the civil rights movement in Columbia South Carolina and active in that movement but it was after 1968 that they finally moved fully and squarely into the civil rights movement.

[Number23]

10. Yes. Thank you so much for your honesty

I also recall asking my mom about his funeral and if we would have gone had we been there (at that time we were no longer in Atlanta) and she said no because he was too radical.

That is what even the most liberal whites thought of MLK in 60's.

And while there were (obviously) many liberal whites that were behind the man 100% or thereabouts, I also have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that there were many other liberal whites who were afraid of him and his methods and many, many, MANY other whites of all political stripes that hated his freaking guts. The whole "white people loved MLK" is probably one of the most laughably stupid, hypocritical and flat out dishonest things anybody can say. And yet, I see it here REGULARLY by people who are ignorant as hell and think that everyone else is too.

I made a point of going and drinking from the colored drinking fountain because it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. I do think I was like 6 or so but I don't totally remember. To her credit, my mom was proud of me for that.

You and your mom sound like spectacularly awesome people.

[Behind the Aegis]

12. But...but...but...Post-racial America!!?! OBAMA!

I know you understand the sarcasm of the subject line, but it really does speak to part of the problem: complacency. Too many, mostly whites, though a few others as well, seem to think we are in some racial/ethnic paradise, and while not perfect, is almost to the top of the mountain. Sadly, we aren't even close! IMO, this country has backslid in many ways. I am sure many thought, hoped, the election of an African-American president would indicate the amount of progress this country has made; it confirmed the opposite. The almost meteoric rise in the number of racist groups, the increase in membership among the Klan and other racist groups already in existence, and the disgusting displays against our current president, IMO, demonstrate we are still a long ways away from reaching the mountaintop. Of course, there is also the more obvious examples with the murders of unarmed black folk, racist billboards, the casualness of racist attitudes/sayings, that just a few years ago would have caused most people to blush with shame and embarrassment.

One the larger problems is the casual indifference (the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference) and lackadaisical attitudes about race and racism from the center to the left. It manifests in distractions (discussed in other threads in this group) of class issues, the problems within the black community (as opposed to addressing the topic at hand), the pitting of various minority groups against one another, and the refusal to listen to the opinions and concerns of the AA community (a perfect example is the raising of children and the use of corporal punishment). Those on the left, especially the white community have a duty to listen to, respond, and understand the concerns of the African-American community. Though I am gay and Jewish, which present their own issues and concerns, some very important to our survival, the fact remains, in this country, and much of the world, the color of one's skin still a heavier weight. Until more people, including those self-professed 'progressives', take their heads out of their butts and see white privilege for what it really is, little will change.

[Number23]

13. Alot, and let me tell you I mean ALOT of black people knew that alot of white people would lose

their ever loving minds if Obama became president.

I remember sitting and talking to my grandmother when the primaries were over and it was looking like he was going to nail this thing. My grandmother, the quintessential grande Southern woman, said "if he wins, I hope these white people can handle it."

Because black people have never had the luxury of pretending that racism doesn't exist anymore. Doesn't affect us anymore. 99% of the people you hear talking about post racial America are white and that 1% that aren't are black Republicans trying to win an election. We know that the scab that is racism has never healed and will come off with the tiniest flick. And your comment about the meteoric rise of hate groups (including in places like NEW YORK) and the unprecedented hatefulness exhibited towards the president unfortunately shows that a lot of white people CAN'T handle it.

Your second paragraph is a marvel. I agree with every word.

Though I am gay and Jewish, which present their own issues and concerns, some very important to our survival, the fact remains, in this country, and much of the world, the color of one's skin still a heavier weight.

I am black and female and I can state beyond all shadow of doubt that my color has caused me CONSIDERABLY more heartache and misery than my gender, though I feel that both have played their parts. And I say that as a woman who has lived in several different countries with varying cultures. There is absolutely no contest.

Until more people, including those self-professed 'progressives', take their heads out of their butts and see white privilege for what it really is, little will change.

I literally could not agree more. I had hoped that racism would be dead long before it ever had a chance to affect any children I may have. I have long since abandoned that hope.

[marym625]

14. Have to say,

After reading the comments on this thread, how incredibly lucky I was to have the parents I did.

My brother and I were the only ones we knew who knew what was going on. The reality of it. I wasn't even quite 5 yet when MLK, Jr was murdered. But I remember it well. Just like when RFK was murdered.

We campaigned for McGovern. We watched the news every night. We watched the body counts from the war. We discussed everything at the dinner table. When old enough to do so and understand, we read the newspapers. We watched the entire Watergate hearings. Growing up in my house was like living in a current events class with the best teachers in the world.

Sorry this happens every year.

[Number23]

16. Sounds like you were very lucky indeed

Growing up in my house was like living in a current events class with the best teachers in the world.

That's how I have every intention of raising my girls when they're a bit older. I've already started on the 8 year old, was telling her about Nelson Mandela when he died last year but she just was completely unable to understand and wrap her head around the idea that there are places in the world where black people were denied the right to vote, educate themselves, own property etc. solely because of the color of their skin.

[marym625]

17. Maybe that's a good thing

That she couldn't wrap her head around that. Back in the day, I had no problem wrapping my head around it. Hopefully, it's just that times have changed enough here that a child can't understand it. Know what I mean?

There were times I rebelled. I remember in '68 singing "Nixon, Nixon he's our man! Kennedy belongs in a garbage can!" Because I was mad at my parents for some silly thing. . Then feeling very guilty when Kennedy was shot. Funny the things we remember.

But as I matured, I have been nothing but grateful. Extremely so.

I am sure your daughters will be as grateful to you as my brother and I are to out parents.