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2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: If MLK were alive today... [View all]Autumn
(45,026 posts)88. If MLK were alive he wouldn't endorse anyone and he would criticize Obama if he felt the need.
https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/statement-presidential-endorsement
the man certainly valued his allies
I have been asked from many quarters whether it is my intention to endorse one of the presidential candidates. The organization of which I am president, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, from its inception and in its constitution has been non-partisan.2 Accordingly, as its titular head, I am unable to endorse a political party or its candidate.3 Moreover, the role that is mine in the emerging social order of the South and America demands that I remain non-partisan. This, devoid of partisan political attachments, I am free to be critical of both parties when necessary.
the man certainly valued his allies
But for fear of being considered an ingrate, I want to make it palpably clear that I am deeply grateful to Senator Kennedy for the genuine concern he expressed in my arrest. When reactionary forces sought to crush our movement for desegregation by methods so unjust and unwise that millions were inflamed with indignation, Senator Kennedy exhibited moral courage of a high order. He voluntarily expresses his position effectively and took an active and articulate stand for a just resolution. I hope that this example of Senator Kennedy's courage will be a lesson deeply learned and consistently applied by all as we move forward in a non violent but resolute spirit to achieve rapidly proper standards of humanity and justice in our swiftly evolving world.
I would also like to express my appreciation to Mayor Hartsfield for his constrictive leadership throughout this whole struggle. I have always argued that the silent multitude of the South, who sincerely want fair play to be the hallmark of our society, needed support and encouragement available only from its major leadership to enable them to give open expression to their belief. I consider that Mayor Hartsfield's action illustrates the soundness of this course.5 The best antidote to degeneration of conflict of opinion into maliciousness and violence is statesman-like, firm, expressions of the moral issues giving active support to proper resolution.
I would also like to express my appreciation to Mayor Hartsfield for his constrictive leadership throughout this whole struggle. I have always argued that the silent multitude of the South, who sincerely want fair play to be the hallmark of our society, needed support and encouragement available only from its major leadership to enable them to give open expression to their belief. I consider that Mayor Hartsfield's action illustrates the soundness of this course.5 The best antidote to degeneration of conflict of opinion into maliciousness and violence is statesman-like, firm, expressions of the moral issues giving active support to proper resolution.
3. Three days before the election, King's secretary Dora McDonald responded to Luvenia Springfield's 18 October request for advice on the "best" way to vote. McDonald acknowledged that as SCLC's president King "does not publicly endorse any candidates for political office" but privately "Dr. King intends to support Senator Kennedyfeeling that he has the best program for the hour" (McDonald to Springfield, 5 November 1960).
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If MLK were alive today, he wouldn't approve of Sanders' constant criticism of our first Black
BlueCaliDem
Nov 2015
#5
Better to let Dr. King rest in peace and not turn his legacy into a political football.
DemocratSinceBirth
Nov 2015
#39
I hope no Clinton supporters try to turn deceased civil rights icons into political footballs.
DemocratSinceBirth
Nov 2015
#46
While I am circumspect when it comes to saying what dead folks think I think Dr. King would be happy
DemocratSinceBirth
Nov 2015
#55
There's a HUGE difference between criticizing policy or trying to boot the first Black president
BlueCaliDem
Nov 2015
#71
Yes, there's a huge difference. Clinton's remarks were damaging to Obama & entirely inappropriate.
AtomicKitten
Nov 2015
#79
It's not inappropriate to criticize the sitting president. Were they damaging? Not to
BlueCaliDem
Nov 2015
#191
If there was a "fallacy" in my previous comment, you've failed to point it out.
BlueCaliDem
Nov 2015
#192
If MLK were alive he wouldn't endorse anyone and he would criticize Obama if he felt the need.
Autumn
Nov 2015
#88
It's been eight years, and clinton's supporters can still only see Obama's skin.
Scootaloo
Nov 2015
#136
No. The OP was very clear, the OP in no way claimed that MLK would endorse Bernie
Autumn
Nov 2015
#206
Yes, the OP was very clear in his assertions that had MLK been alive today,
BlueCaliDem
Nov 2015
#211
To be fair, you made the claim that the OP claimed that MLK would endorse Bernie were he alive.
Autumn
Nov 2015
#213
Black people have a long, well established record of having our culture, our history and heroes etc.
Number23
Nov 2015
#7
"Camp Weathervane" is a common way for some Sanders supporters to describe Hillary Clinton.
BlueCheese
Nov 2015
#9
Oh, for god's sake, come on now. People misspell (or mistake/confuse) peoples' names all the time
kath
Nov 2015
#35
Yeah, all the while acting like the person whose named they've mispelled (and not by a little
Number23
Nov 2015
#42
My biggest memory of Wonder Bread was that it was a big sponsor of the Howdy Doody Show. I was...
George II
Nov 2015
#201
The context of your post wasn't real clear,but I have enough neurons to rub together to figure out
kath
Nov 2015
#34
I know he had started linking the racism in this country to the racist nature of the Vietnam War.
jalan48
Nov 2015
#48
I also recall some quote (paraphrasing) about judging people by the content of their character, not
kath
Nov 2015
#54
What "more" could MLK have fought for than the rights of his children?? What are you people
Number23
Nov 2015
#47
Wait... are you seriously suggesting that King's work was RACE NEUTRAL??!!!!!!
Number23
Nov 2015
#45
"Perhaps people should listen instead of acting as though they know better"
SusanCalvin
Nov 2015
#40
I wasn't planning on being here today either. It has been even more clueless/revolting than usual
Number23
Nov 2015
#49
Considering that black posters are always the ones considered the "race baiters" on DU
Number23
Nov 2015
#66
I can't think of anything lower than using a decades long dead icon to millions of disenfranchised
Number23
Nov 2015
#70
That's exactly how I see it as well. Thank you for the thread and your replies - nt.
Juicy_Bellows
Nov 2015
#121
Which is exactly what you've tried to do. And been called out by other Sanders supporters
Number23
Nov 2015
#120
Calling out the use of a legacy as a cudgel is using a legacy as a cudgel?
hootinholler
Nov 2015
#188
I'm not reading your links, but let me guess... all (or most) of them point to bravenak??
Number23
Nov 2015
#202
"I reject your self-declared prerogative to serve as the self-appointed trustee of MLK's legacy."
Number23
Nov 2015
#123
This whole thread is an obvious bait. I should have ignored it as I have done with soooooooooooooooo
Number23
Nov 2015
#60
Well, it's been more than an hour, and no one has explained how it's embarrassing...
kath
Nov 2015
#80
You might want to check out that site. As for an app, it's easy enough to log out and leave DU
Autumn
Nov 2015
#104
How anyone is getting that you're saying MLK would endorse Bernie is beyond me.
marym625
Nov 2015
#68
Susan, I don't think these people are umm... ABLE to understand how much they need you
Number23
Nov 2015
#134