Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday Should NOT Be A Holiday
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I was 19 years old when my hometown, Los Angeles, was rocked by the Watts Riots of August, 1965.
Whenever I think back to that time, I clearly remember the day that the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. came to Los Angeles to appeal to the rioters for calm. I also remember that his visit caused the situation to become even more chaotic than it already was.
Specifically, as King led a procession of city officials and community leaders down one of the main thoroughfares of the Watts section of the city, he was soundly booed by the hundreds of young blacks who lined the street and pelted with various objects. And while all that was going on, many of the youngsters were yelling such things at King as “Take yo’ negro-a . . back down South” and “We don’t need no help from yo’ Uncle Tom a . .”.
Ultimately, the booing, insults and pelting forced King to run for cover and leave the area for good. It was not a pretty sight.
Many older blacks wondered why the young ones who stood along that boulevard had been so belligerent towards King. They could not understand why those young people had disrespected the man whom much of the country regarded as the “Greatest Negro Leader In History”.
However, those of us who were “young ‘n black” at the time knew exactly why those young people had treated King with such contempt.
By the summer of 1965, when the Watts Riots broke out, much of the nation’s black youth, including myself, deeply disagreed with the philosophy held by King and other civil-rights leaders. Opposite of the way they saw things, we did not believe that the well-being and advancement of blacks were contingent on their being “granted permission” to integrate with whites. In fact, a great many young blacks had formed the opinion that racial integration, especially under such “artificial circumstances” as court-ordered desegregation of schools and housing, was detrimental to the well-being and advancement of black society.
Because of that way of thinking, a large and growing number of the black youth of 1965 America could not identify with King and his “Dream”. Many viewed the King-led Civil Rights Movement as being nothing more than a “bunch of poor old plantation negroes pleading with whites to cut them a little slack”. We had come to view the protest marches, boycotts and sit-ins of that movement as being nothing more than present-day versions of what took place during slavery when blacks had no other choice but to beg the “Great White Masters” for a few scraps off their tables.
Furthermore, those of us who were “young ‘n black” could not understand why King and other civil-rights leaders were so intent on integrating blacks with whites. In our way of thinking, blacks should have had no desire to live, work and play alongside the very types who had oppressed, brutalized and exploited “our people” for centuries.
So, when King came to Los Angeles to appeal to the rioters for calm, those of us who were “young ‘n black” saw him as a “poor old plantation negro” who possessed all of the “unliberated qualities” that we were trying to shed.
We were ready to rumble, meaning that we were determined to do such things as construct and establish our own businesses, schools and hospitals and to carry out self-help measures to improve the conditions in our communities. We were poised to launch a bold new movement based entirely on unlimited black enterprise, capitalism and self-determination.
In summation, a large segment of the black youth of the mid-1960s did not regard Martin Luther King, Jr. as a “national hero”; nor did we regard him as a “role model”.
While I am on the subject, I must make one more point about King.
Over a period spanning more than 300 years, millions of people, including whites as well as blacks, struggled for the freedom and equality of American blacks. And many of those millions lost their own freedom and lives in the process.
When that is taken into account, any contributions made by Martin Luther King, Jr. towards “black progress” was merely a part of a very long procession.
Thus, King’s birthday should not be designated as a national holiday, because he does not deserve to be recognized over all of the others who shed blood, sweat and tears in the name of “black progress”. Deserving as much recognition as King are such people as the following:
-- The parents and grandparents of every black who is alive today.
-- The millions of captured black Africans who perished while being forcibly transported to the America’s.
-- The millions of enslaved blacks who died from the abuse they suffered in captivity.
-- The blacks who led revolts against slave owners and slave drivers.
-- The white abolitionists who called for the freedom and equality of blacks long before most other whites had given the matter much thought.
-- The whites who established and operated the Underground Railroad.
-- President Abraham Lincoln for supporting and signing the Emancipation Proclamation.
-- The thousands-upon-thousands of white Union soldiers who fought, got wounded, and died in the Civil War.
-- The Commonwealth of Canada for serving as a safe haven for escaped slaves.
As a matter of fact, if not for the contributions and sacrifices made by white abolitionists and the white Union troops of the Civil War, Martin Luther King, Jr. might not have even been born. Or else he might have spent his entire life working as an illiterate field hand on a Georgia cotton plantation.
Instead of a “Day for Martin” the country should set aside a day to honor every one of the people, including whites as well as blacks, who have made contributions and sacrifices towards the freedom and equality of American blacks.
However, that will never happen because “African-American leaders” will never let it happen. Those “jive-talkin’ ghetto hustlers” know that if “King Day” is ever replaced by some other day of recognition, a wrench will have been thrown into the con game they are getting away with today.
Specifically, ever since the mid-to-late 1980s, “African-American leaders” have been carrying out an elaborate scheme, largely consisting of installing King’s birthday as a national holiday and changing blacks’ official description from black to African-American.
By getting blacks to call themselves African-American and to believe that “Martin Was The Savior”, those poor old broken-down souls who make up today’s “African-American leadership” have seized full control of the nation’s “African-American affairs”.
In other words, no one can dispute that “African-American leaders” are the exclusive spokespeople for the “African-American community” because, after all, they have provided blacks with an idol to worship and a snappy new moniker to call themselves.
Furthermore, by indoctrinating blacks to idolize King, “African-American leaders” have set things up where they can direct “African-American affairs” the only ways they know how; by begging the “Great White Masters” in Washington, D.C. and other high places for such scraps as affirmative-action programs and set-asides, and by leading little Martin Luther King, Jr.-style protest marches and public demonstrations every time they get “spooked”.
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justamber, thank you very much taking the time to read this hub and for the compliment.
Arizona actually had a MLK day all along, but unlike the other states, it was not a PAID government holiday, angering government workers who wanted another day off with pay.
They won.
Ah so. Thank you, Will. I was unaware of that.
BTW, this is a far different viewpoint from anything I've ever seen, but then, MLK day is unique because it's the only national holiday where we honor the man rather than the ideal.
The Founding Fathers, and George Washington in particular, were vehemently opposed to elevating any man to such status. They wanted the ideals of law, liberty, and freedom to be paramount, and not men. The coinage act of 1792 specified that all US coins would be struck with a symbol of liberty, and not with the likeness of any man.
You make a great point, and perhaps we should rethink MLK day, and honor the ideal rather than the man.
This has shined a whole new light on this for me.
I still believe that MLK's message of a color blind society is very prevailent and that we should be a nation where no one person should be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character....
with that said, I never looked at MLK from your point of view....and I find it a very intersting "take". Something to chew on to say the least.
I have a question for you feenix....who do you consider to be valid leaders regarding the black community in this day and time?
Will, you brought up the exact point I was trying to make with this. This is a society in which there should be no "law-enforced idol worship".
CMerritt, thank you for commenting on this hub.
Now, to answer your question. First, remember that you and I are pals so I would never intentionally say anything to insult you.
That said, your question begs another question: Who do you consider to be valid leaders regarding the WHITE community in this day and time?
What I am driving at is the U.S. is not supposed to be a nation of tribes. Thus, no group should have a leader or leaders. Every one in this country should be his or her own leader, in my opinion.
Multiculturalism is nothing more than a device to divide a nation into tribal adversaries, and I think we’ve all been conditioned to accept it as politically correct. It’s difficult to divide and conquer the people of a great melting pot.
Feenix, I'm glad the people who decided to call for a National holiday to honor M.L.K., didn't ask for the opinion the young intercity revolutionaries of your time. I glad it was realised by wiser people that M. L. K. saved the nation and it's people from mass death and destruction. It wasn't quite a bloodless revolution But compared to the cost in death and destruction of the civil war, he deserves honor. M.L.K's died fighting against economic injustice, and the right to work and be safe. Eating and going to the bath room is not the
goal.
feenix, no insult taken.
I honestly never thought of it on that level. You are 100% right too!...but, as Will just stated, we ARE a multicultural country...and we have been conditioned to have "leaders" and "followers"....I was just curious if YOU had any particular current day person, who leads by example to encourage (all of us) to a higher level and standards.
I think so many folks in this day and time, NEED "hero's" to help set paths for them. I know I had my hero's as a child, that played a role in forming who I became as an adult.
I think "hero's" has played a huge role in our American Heritage...don't confuse this with "idol worship". There is a big difference in my opinion.
MULTI-CULTURALISM!!! Slowly I turn ... step by step ...
Will, I really do hate that term, and you are exactly right. It only serves to cause the nation to be even more divided than it already is.
CMerritt, if I were forced to select a person as my "hero" it would actually be four groups of people: My heroes are police officers, fire fighters, emergency medical personnel and all of the members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
I believe it is another way to control and manipulate. We had to make up school days because of snow. It was decided that kids would attend school on MLK day and there were pickets and riots and protestations of prejudice. It was crazy. Mr. King would certainly prefer children get an education rather than lounge in front of a video game or TV all day.
Most of out holidays are targeted to promote something or disguise something or for distraction!
Junko, I do not disagree with you at all. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did make a number of significant contributions to this country and probably did serve to keep things from "going up in smoke". It is just that I would like to see all of the others who contributed to "black progress" and improved race relations recieve more recognition.
Hyphenbird, I am not surprised at all by what you said about the pickets, riots and protestations, and I'm sure that a gang of rabble-rousers were behind all that.
And you are certainly right when you say that "most of our holidays are targeted to promote something or disguise something or for distraction.
For example, Hallmark is constantly coming up with such stuff as "Secretaries' Day" and "Bosses' Day".
Imagine a wall like the Viet nam memorial a mile long, and your name on it. If Columbus deserved honor, why not Martin?
junko, yes, I see what you mean and what you said is quite logical. Thank you for giving me a new insight.
Well, growing up in white boy America in a mostly "white" town. . . .I have to disagree for my own reasons.
Wesman, I know what you mean. I really do.
And do you know something? A lot of times I end up disagreeing with myself, and this just might be one of those times that such a thing happens.
Interesting take on things Feenix. I agree with you that all the individuals should be remembered and honored instead of just one. But MLK did make a great contribution. Humans often require leaders to get mobilized - even if most of the work is actually done by the "followers". Howard Zinn made a similar point to yours as well - the civil rights movement didn't just spring up from the efforts of one man. It was the result of years and years of organizing and sacrifice by many nameless and forgotten individuals.
I have to second Junko's comment though - MLK is much more deserving of a holiday than Columbus.
WOW!!! I feel like I just had a lesson in history from one who got to observe it as it unfolded. I was completely ignorant about ANY of this info and I had not ever heard the counter-argument of other blacks seeking different ways towards equality, except for the violence preachings of Malcolm X. Like I said to you earlier, ALL the hyphenated Americans just piss me off. Whites don't say they are "European-Americans" we are just white. I concluded a while back that unless a black American has proof he was BORN in Africa, he is nothing more than an AMERICAN as am I. I refuse to even use the term African-American. God bless you for these great hubs, keep 'em coming!!!
There are Asian American, French American, African American, Mexican American, Native American, Irish American, etc.. it's just a fact of America. That fact makes America, America. Where in the world did your people come from, SheriSapp?
William R. Wilson, thank you for stopping by and for your thoughtful comment. And I guess it could be said that MLK is the symbol for all that has, and is being, done for the equality of black people.
I am glad to have made your acquaintance and I do hope that our paths cross again.
Why, thank you very much, SheriSapp. I am very grateful for your encouraging words and I am glad to hear that this article served to make you aware of a few historic facts.
And I'll keep the hubs coming if you keep stopping by ;-)
junko, I understand where you're coming from, but don't you think that our country would be less divided than it is if all of us just described ourselves as American?
The reality is more real than the Idea. Most people are proud of where they come from in the world, they feel rooted in their nation of origin. There is no nation of of Blackland, or Negroland. People who have had their roots cut off needs to know, and declare they also came from somewhere also. Do you suggest that African American lead this Nation in an undivided love for America, and not identify with Africa? Will that bring more jobs to Black America? What about all the other distintions that separate and divide American?
junko, you are quite right in all you say. Every one in the country calling themselves one name, American, is an ideal situation -- while people maintaining connections to their "roots" is a real situation.
Leaders can never be successful without the many nameless followers who serve to accomplish their goals. No general ever won a battle, no politacal leader ever pushed through legislation, no great and worthy task was ever accomplished by one man or woman alone.
Only through team work and self sacrifice can great things move forward.
Feenix, I hear you. Much of the accomodationist approach promoted by MLK was not widely accepted and discredited by Malcolm X who believed a different path needed to be taken. Remember the "Mohammed Speaks" newspapers, where they talk about self-respect and self-rellance as the foundation for improvement. We are speaking about disciplined black folks that shunned certain behavior and attitudes, from that perspective "Muslim" was not a dirty word.
I will take your suggestion one better, why not have this day commemorate the struggles of all people that have been marginized and who had to fight a resistant establishment to avoid being second class citizens? There is no other holiday named for one person, as one person rarely makes a contribution of such magnitude. The holidays should promote concepts and principles, not people. We need to recoginized all those that played a role from the great to the small, from Frederick Douglass, to the local leaders trying to prevent a lynching somewhere. There are many from the Irish to the women, native americans, hispanics, asians that all have a stake in the movement and subsequent celebration that affirms their human dignity and recognizes their stugggle to attain the same. Great Hub! Cred2
Credence2, what a terrific comment and I fully agree with everything you said. And yes, that sounds good: a day aside for all of the groups of people who have had to struggle and pull themselves up in this country.
Also, I certainly do remember those Nation of Islam brothers, on the street selling "Muhammad Speaks" and bean pies while wearing their sharp suits and bow ties.
As a matter of fact (I'm letting you in on a secret), much of the way I think grew out of the teachings of Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam, along with the Black Panthers and Black Liberation Army. Those groups were all about self-determination and self-reliance on the part of blacks.
ruffridyer, your comment is so true and that is why all of the credit for "black progress" should not be given to one person.
junk,
I hail from AMERICA!!! My parents were born and raised here, my grandparents were born and raised here, and my child was born and is being raised here. I am disinterested in a hyphenated title so i can SEGREGATE myself. Question answered? The majority of black Americans ALSO had parents and grandparents that were born and raised here. Surely you are not implying that their ancient ancestry in Africa makes them less American than the white folks, are you?
Thank you Feenix for another excellent Hub.
sap, You sound angry or hurt about a people choosing to call themselves African Americans or any type Americans they consider themselves. You must be Native American, but that don't matter, you can justify your existence anyway you want to, that's your right. Everybody has a right to self-definition. Their ancient ancestry in Africa made them African first, Slave second, and American third.
junko, personally and as I have said many times before on this network, I am an American PERIOD!
Now, I do not have any control over what others choose to call themselves; however, this business of numerous individuals and groups calling themselves "hyphenated names" is causing the U.S. to break up into tribes.
Guanta, thank you very much for the compliment.
"Now, I do not have any control over what others choose to call themselves; however, this business of numerous individuals and groups calling themselves "hyphenated names" is causing the U.S. to break up into tribes."
Actually, it's limited to minorities, and is used by the left for purposes of self-segregation:
African-American, Asian-American, Native-American, Mexican-American, etc.
All these groups are expected to support their liberal benefactors (using your money!). Divide and conquer
Feenix, All the many different and hyphenated names used in America to divide and conquer, self-segregate, and create tribes, you got to be kidding or trying to manipulate me. I'm an African American, plain and simple.
Where do most African-Americans live? In the ghetto. Most Mexican-Americans live in the Barrio, Native-Americans live on the res,and Asian-Americans live in the various China-towns.
Where do non-hyphenated Americans live? Anywhere they want!
So yes, it is a very effective self-separation and self-segregation ploy.
Will, you are exactly right when you say that this hyphenated-American thing is confined to minorities. And similar to what you also said, the liberals are keeping this going in order to keep the minorities in the camps that they are in control of.
In other words, the liberals do not have very much power and influence over AMERICANS, but they sure in the hell do have a lot of power and influence over those who view themselves as African-Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Americans, Latino-Americans and so forth.
junko, you have the right to call yourself and others anything you please.
But, personally, I will never refer to myself as African-American because that is not even what I really am. I am an American PERIOD. It just so happens that many, if not most, of the people I descended from were Africans.
I am in the same league as the contemporary descendents of the people who came to these shores on the Mayflower.
The point is, the descents of the ones who came over on the Mayflower do not refer to themselves as English-Americans, or British-Americans, or European-Americans. They only refer to themselves as Americans.
So, because there is the possibilty that many, or most, of my ancestors were already here when the Mayflower arrived, I am in the same category they are in, and that category is labeled AMERICAN.
The Mayflower? Enough said about self identity, nothing changed, walk on by. There are real fish to fry.
junko, you said, "There are real fish to fry".
Well, I agree with that, because today is Friday.
LOL, good comeback
Took your advise and posted it as a hub
American View, I am glad to hear that. I'll go and check it out, either tonight or tomorrow morning.
Feenix, thank you for educating me. I assumed that King was a hero to all blacks.
It would be nice if we all could live in peace and harmony but it shouldn't be forced or legislated by "Big Brother."
Sueswann, what you said is so true: "It would be nice if we all could live in peace and harmony but it shouldn't be legislated by 'Big Brother'".
That's a great way of stating it and I am going to borrow that statement from you.
feenix, I enjoyed reading your take on this subject and can understand your feelings. I also agree with what Sueswann said. I will add this, since I was raised in the South: back in the day the history books kids had in school just simply didn't address the matter of segregation at all. Scant and barely covered were the lessons on those who sacrificed before MLK. However, I think if it weren't for his high profiling in the press and media prejudice and segregation would still be as prevalent as it was back when you were young. But yes, perhaps you are right on target for why singling out MLK for a national holiday is a mistake.
bethperry,thank you for the comment. Also, I must agree with you that if it were not for the attention that MLK's high profile brought to the realities of prejudice and segregation, the situation might very well have remained as intense as it was (since discussing this matter with a few friends of mine, I have softened a bit on my opposition to MLK).
Maybe I should clarify my own position on this feenix. As I said, I lived in the deep South in the early fifties, so I know what courage it took for people like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King to stand up and defy the entrenched racism of those days. I take nothing away from those brave people.
My own thought on MLK day is that he probably would not have wanted a day to honor himself so much as a day honoring the ideal of equal rights for all people, regardless of circumstance of birth.
Will, I think you're right. I believe that MLK would have wanted it that way -- a day honoring all of the people and organizations that contributed (and that are presently contributing)to the advancement and well-being of our nation.
Will, I think Martin wanted to be remembered as "A Drum Major for Justice". I think he wanted to be remembered, "that he tried to help somebody"
feenix, first off let say that I feel this piece is very well-written and highlights your skill as a writer. I grew up in the 60's south in Mississippi. Desegration as it was implemented by the Feds made losers of all people involved. It still goes on today as I was just back home and witnessed the reshuffling of the county schools ordered by the Feds. Many of the children now will spend up to an hour and a half on a school bus just so the numbers of blacks and whites in a given school are balanced. Nothing is done in terms of improving education for anyone. It is simply symbolism over substance. If my memory serves me correctly, I believe Rev. Jessi Jackson was a protege' of Dr. King. From what I have seen, Jackson's primary interest lies in extorting payment in situations in which he inserts himself as the "leader and spokesperson" for the black people involved. It makes me wonder who taught him the method? I think you make some really great points here while also effectively demonstrating that black America is capable of finding it's own way without the Feds creating symbolic gestures which Is effectvely demonstrated in naming King's birthday as a national holiday. Thanks for sharing a good write. WB
Wayne, thank you very much for your thoughtful and "accurate" comment.
And you are certainly right about the ReVERend Jesse Jackson. He's nothing but a "jive-talkin' ghetto hustler" who takes advantage of every opportunity that presents itself to line his pockets.
You are also right about this business of what I call "artificial integration". I have no doubt that the things would be just fine, and that whites and blacks would come together all on their own, if government would just keep its nose out of it. As my late mother propably would have phrased it, "We don't need no social engineering".
@feenix...Amen, Brother...Amen! WB
Feenix,
I need you to delete my comment. Hub pages says that my hub duplicates mt answer to you. So if you delete my comment I can repost the hub. THanks
Okay, American View, you got it and I'm really sorry about that. The "duplicate thing" should have occurred to me.
This hub brings up a lot of interesting points, and I completely agree with you. I'm Italian and I wrote a hub about stereotypes against Italian people. I concluded my hub stating that we should all be calling ourselves "American", instead of African American, Italian American, Mexican American or whatever. When we do that, we are seperating ourselves from everyone who is different. I think it unintentionally creates a lot of problems. You don't see the racism in other countries, like Canada for example, as you do here. BTW, I'm not a fan of Jesse Jackson, I think he's in it for himself, not for anyone else. Again, great hub. Voted up, beautiful and useful.
amymarie_5, thank you very much for your generous comment and your vote. And I am going to read your hub about Americans of Italian descent ASAP. It sounds like just the kind of article that I like to read. And so far as the ReVERend Jesse Jackson, you hit the nail squarely on the head. As I have said about him before on this site, he is nothing but a "jive talkin' ghetto hustler".
He was a great speaker, and, since he had charisma, he was able to be a focal point for civil justice.
I was thinking the other day about many people, of other races who have been slaves or indentured servants, not just African Americans.
I just read a book about the early US Naval expeditions to discover Antartica, etc, and was surprised to learn that the commanding officers used brutal physical punishment on the lowly sailors (of no specific race)
You know, it was the Muslims who captured the Africans and sold then to go to America, or wherever. Yet, we don't hear our African American leaders (Jackson, Farrakhan,etc.) calling out the Muslims for reparations.
In fact our present occupant in the Oval Office is the descendant of slave traders (Luo tribe) and slave owners (settlers).
vrajavala, MLK certainly was a great speaker and the movements he led changed the course of history.
And you are right about the Arabs' involvement in the slave trade. As a matter of they are still involved in that business today, largely in Sudan, I understand. As a you pointed out, not even a peep has been heard from the likes of Farrakhan, Jackson and Sharpton.
And isn't it interesting that gaining the job of president does not require the office holder to undergo an extensive background check. I believe that prospective Walmart employees are subject to a tougher background check than presidents are.
he couldn't pass a federal employment check. But if Pastor Manning is right, and he is a former CIA op, then it doesn't matter to them or the banking cartels who put him there.
vrajavala, you're right. It doesn't matter to them. About the only thing they care about is that none of the strings attached to him breaks.
I don't have rich knowledge in American history, but you give some good information feenix. As for me, I think we all must enjoy the right to live free and happy. Thanks.
princechammy, very wise words: "...we all must enjoy the right to live free and happy".
I am late to the party here - very late actually. But Feenix you've written another thought provoker. I have read about your view point, but since I have read more about you and what you have written it seems a little more real. I appreciate that. I can get behind the idea, but I agree it isn't a man that should be celebrated.
CJ,
Thank you for taking the time to read this hub and for your comment.
Thought-provoking hubs R me. ;-)
Feenix,
I hope you don't mind that I used this as an example to my children not to take what they're taught in school as the last word. (Columbus, another good example of undeserving.)Thank you for sharing your experience and perspective.
Hello, Cre8tor,
First, I do not mind it all that you used this hub as an example for your children. In fact, I believe that is a very good thing because, unfortunately, most of the nation's public schools have become little more than left-wing indoctrination-and-propaganda centers.
And thank you for thanking me.
Feenix, do you really think most public schools have become left-wing indoctrination-and-propaganda centers? I would like know your opinion on private and charter schools and their indoctrination and propaganda offered students. Which wing is best right or left, and why?
Hey, junko,
What is this, my man, a quiz?
I stated my opinion and either you agree with it or you don't.
Just throwing you a wave, my brother. I offered you a conversation about your opinion of public schools. Here in New Orleans charter schools and public schools are competing for excess to limited public funds for education. Your opinion caused me to wonder if you knew something that would shine light on the public, private sector debate here in New Orleans. I whouldn't quiz you because you nor I know the answers, I just wanted your opinion on your opinion. No harm no foul, you and I have been opinionated before, sometimes I don't feel like explaining it's o'k.
Hey, junko,
Why didn't you let me know that you live in "N'Awlin'?"
That is my ancestoral homeland because my mom and all of my older relatives on her side were born and raised in that that city, along with such nearby places as Lake Charles and Houma.
So far as my opinion about today's schools, both public and private, I do not believe that most of them are providing educations that are as good as the ones my generation received back in the 1950's and 1960's.
In my opinion, many, if not most, of the schools of today devote far too much time focusing on various kinds of social issues and far too little time on teaching the three R's.
I seen the picture of your beautiful mother and read the short biography you wrote. You come from good stock and free spirited, educated people. New Orleans for black people has not always been the murder capitol of the nation. I can remember black capitalism as a child and it faded as I grew older. Your parents were thought by teachers who made sure they got the three R's. Reading being the key to the R's and all other letters. I also was blessed to have one of those underpaid servants. This is all in my profile, your profiled also told of your New Orleans connection. Anyway... I don't think charter vs public schooling is as important as job creation for the working poor who has been forced to return to New Orleans after Katrina. The black middle class was fired and forced to do better elseware. The poor that returned can't find work and are killing each other. Your parents nor mine would recognize New Orleans And mine died here. Billions have been spent here since Katrina but, murder is up, education is down, and no jobs for the majority voters. There was better education back in the days. Sorry for the rant, I got carried away, feenix. Feel free to come over to my place and jump up and down.
Hey, junko,
Thank you for your generous comment. And you are my very good friend and my brother.
Up until about 10 years ago, I visited New Orleans and the surrounding areas at least once a year. In fact, the last time I was there was the winter of 2002.
And you are so right about all of the radical changes for the worse that have taken place in New Orleans. My relatives and friends who live there keep me apprised of the situation.
Finally, I will be visiting your place in the very near future.
Very interesting. Just out of curiosity, what if the revolutionary youth of the day had more momentum than King's movement? How do you think that would have affected our society?
Hello, MPChris,
Good question. Very good question, in fact.
I do believe that if the "revolutionary youth" of the 1960s had prevailed over King and his movement, today's black society would be far better off than it is.
For one thing, such present problems among blacks as their disproportionate and sky-high levels of poverty, unemployment and violent crime would be much lower than they are.
That is true because if back in the 1960s, blacks had begun carrying out a massive movement propelled by high degrees of black enterprise, capitalism, self-reliance and self-determination -- instead of one that consisted of pleading with the "masters" for a few scraps off their tables, and one that influenced a great many blacks to view themselves as "victims" -- today's black society would be quite well off.
As examples, there would be far more black-owned businesses than there are; millions of black families would not have fallen apart; far fewer blacks would be dependent on such government handouts as welfare payments, food stamps and Medicaid; there would not be as many dangerous, rundown "black ghettos" as there are, and I could go on ... and on.
In closing, I must say that the Martin Luther King, Jr.-led Civil Rights Movement is one of the worst things that ever happened to "black America."
Good hub and easy to read! Lots of info I was unaware of. I like how your titles really grab a readers attention and then you're forced to engage the material. Voted up!
Hello, HTLO,
First, I am very pleased to have made your acquaintance. I really do like your style.
Second, thank you for the thumbs up.
Very educational.
Thank you, Time Man.
justamber 12 months ago
I never new most of this. Thanks for the information. Well written.