"A lie cannot live." Martin Luther King, Jr.
- It was five decades ago when Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his now famous, "I Have A Dream Speech." The environment surrounding that speech included racial segregation and discrimination. MLK also talked about freedom, liberty and justice for all peoples. He reminded all of us that the struggle for human and civil rights must include the participation of all Americans. He also reminded us that reliance of big government is not the answer to reconciling our problems. MLK recognized empowerment---not dependence---would provide access to many of the opportunities available to every American in life and in society.
- It's now undeniable we are a better nation today because of what MLK said that day. And while it would be patently absurd to proclaim racism is no longer a problem, it would be just as absurd to say we've not made great strides in human dignity in the last 50 years or more. Today we are living in the era of the first black President of the United States, a president who was elected by a majority of white voters. I contend MLK would be smiling down on America for that achievement as well as for the 42 Black Americans in Congress, the 31 Hispanics, 12 Asian Americans and the first black woman to be the nation's First Lady.
- Today we're living in a nation where one of the world's richest women is black. We're living in a nation where minority participation in higher education is four times more than it was 50 years ago, including five times as many black adults with college degrees.
- We're living in a nation where black participation in all areas of our culture---from entertainment to sports to politics to science to education---is immeasurable compared to 50 years ago.
- Having said that, I also believe MLK would be disappointed in both the black community and the Democrat Party today, a political party that has failed miserably to promote MLK's legacy of self-determination and self-sufficiency.
- During his lifetime, out-of-wedlock rates for black women was about 25%. Today, in many areas of the country, it's as high as 70% (54% nationwide).
- I believe MLK would feel great discomfort knowing the rate of abortion among black women is 41 per 1000 for ages 15-19.
- I believe MLK would be saddened at the high rates of black-on-black crime in the nation today.
- I believe MLK would be disappointed at so many in the black community who continue to promote perpetual victimhood especially among those African Americans who have been remarkably successful in their careers both socially and financially.
- I believe MLK would be angry at many in black leadership who continue to promote racial division largely for financial gain and fame. This behavior is a con of the worst kind. This kind of leadership never presents any new ideas. They keep retrieving an agenda they know will enrich them, and they media continues to enable their failed messages. After all, there's a lot of money to be made in exploitation.
- In other words, Martin Luther King, Jr., would never have accepted the messages of many of today's leaders---black and white---who continue to tolerate failure, promote racial deivision, the pursuance of so many failed social programs that promote anguish, misery and dependence.
- Yes, Martin Luther King, Jr., would have every reason to smile. He would also have every reason to cry.
- Postscript: since this was posted, Ferguson happened and the NYC incident.
