Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: The Torch Is Passed, But Is It Still Burning?

Today is of course the day that our country observes Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday.

Tomorrow, our nation will inaugurate the first black man, Barack Obama, to the office of President of the United States.

King was a courageous and unwavering advocate for the black community.

More so, he sought social and economic justice for all men and women regardless of race.

Barack Obama, I believe, can be seen on some level as the embodiment of the continuation of King’s dream.

But my friends, in those forty years in between the MLK assassination and Obama’s election, many an African-American has promulgated the dream of King and others.

I think today is a good time to acknowledge some of those of African-American heritage that moved King’s vision forward to where we are today with the inauguration of Barack Obama.


Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth…Rev. Shuttlesworth will be 87 this year. He was a close associate of MLK, and was instrumental in the Civil Rights movement in Alabama.

He was a survivor of three assassination attempts in the late 50’s. In the 60’s, he started a church and civil rights network in Cincinnati, Ohio.

I had the honor to act as his assistant for a church service back in 1998.

I was at his side the entire time, as well as having breakfast with him prior to the service.

It was both exciting and humbling to be standing next to, and talking with and assisting such a giant.

There are quite few other notables as well who promulgated the King dream.

Sammy Davis, Jr…He proved to every African-American kid that being a black, short, one-eyed Jew, doesn’t have to prevent you from headlining in Vegas.

Jimmie J.J. Walker…He made housing project life tolerable for many a black family during the 70’s. His cutting edge…um…comedy, was infectious. I guess it helped that he looked like an Ethiopian.

Maya Angelou…A beacon of hope to young, less than talented black women everywhere.

Angelou has demonstrated that if a black woman speaks in a halting, professorial style while reading her incredibly bad poetry, white folks will still pay good money to listen to her painfully bad prose.

Al Sharpton…Are you an alleged rape victim? Is the man keeping you down?

Call Brother Al, he’ll get the media to cover your plight in a minute. Fame and money are guaranteed; the truth is optional.

Eh, I guess I’m just in a pissy mood on this day that honors a great man such as Martin Luther King, Jr.

There are to me, no more Kings, Shuttlesworths, Patrick Henrys, or Ben Franklins in the world. There is no greatness.

Of course, every generation probably has said and will say the same thing, but I think we as a society, have learned to settle for mediocrity.

Time will tell the level of greatness in Obama, and for him, I hope nothing but the best. But man…

When are we going to step up and demand more from our leaders, and more from ourselves? When are we going to demand a little King from all of us?

It better be soon, because our country really needs that type of vision and that type of courage.

Have a great MLK Day, all.

Cheers!!

Martin Luther King Jr.: In The Name Of Love

April 4, 1968...A shot rings out in the Memphis sky.

On the second floor balcony of the Lorraine Motel, Martin Luther King, Jr. lay dying.

Assassinated by the hate and the rifle of James Earl Ray and Ray’s co-conspirator, Raoul*

Eh, he’s probably better off dead…

In this era of the 24 Hour news cycle, 8,000 cable networks, TMZ, and feigned moral outrage, King would be toast…more specifically, MLKtoast.

The good Reverend had too many skeletons in his closet to be effective as a leader in these times of public uber-scrutiny.

King’s improprieties would be exposed on a nightly basis by the likes of such journalistic giants as O’Reilly, Hannity, and Olberman.

Let me tell you…Much like FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover who kept tabs upon him, King was a big fan of pleasures of the flesh.

However, unlike Hoover, King enjoyed bangin’ the babes rather than dressing up in panty hose and hi-heels and being spanked by a well hung G-Man.

King’s sexcapades would be all over the cable outlets and streaming live on the internets.

He would be branded as a sexed-up charlatan, a man of questionable finances, and a demagogic preacher.

But of course, the major black mark against him would be the sex.

Americans become outraged because hot, immoral sex is in violation of the word of Gawd, and because they’re jealous that they aren’t getting any.

King wasn’t merely a hooker hugging Governor, or a toe tappin’ U.S. Senator. This man was a sexual juggernaut.

Screw the Nobel Peace Prize, King should have been awarded the Nobel Piece Prize!!

When King spoke about “goin’ to the mountain top” or the “solid rock of brotherhood” he wasn’t talk about justice my friends.

Hell, even though he preached that all men are created equal, King knew that some men were more equal than others.

And the brother took full advantage. I salute you Dr. King.

I for one, am glad King went out on top…for two reasons.

If he were around today and was branded as a sexed up preacher man who needed money for his cause, that would make him just another Pastor Rod Parsley or T.D. Jakes.

The other reason?

If I can take innuendo and rumor and turn it into a scathing report on MLK’s character, can you imagine what Bill O’Reilly and his ilk could do to him?

I am outta here later this morning. Enjoy your Friday and your weekend all.

Cheers!!

*Raoul was James Earl Ray’s imaginary friend who was everything that Ray wasn’t. Namely, smart, well-spoken, and bathed regularly.

Martin Luther King Jr.: Unintended Consequences

Today of course is Martin Luther King Day here in the States. A day in which many Americans honor his legacy of helping to bring about profound social change through courage, character, and hard work.

How do we honor and pay tribute to this? By not working…Having a day off. I love America.

As soon as Ryno gets home after spending the night with a buddy of his, I will be headed over to spend some time with my sweet, little, future NBA star…

We will play some video games, and then have a free lunch (yes, there is such a thing) at Bob Evans courtesy of a gift certificate given to me from one of my brother’s at Christmas.

In regards to MLK Jr., I am not going to repeat all of the well-deserved kudos and platitudes given to his memory. Instead, I want to take a step back and let his spirit know that what he did was not entirely good.

King gave hope and inspiration to millions. He instilled into the masses, the message that anyone and everyone can achieve their dreams…If given a fair playing field and an equal chance at life, all things all possible no matter who you are.

This has been both a blessing and a curse. Millions have realized their dreams of voting without fear, living in a neighborhood that was previously off limits, and just receiving a decent amount of respect.

Others however, have taken his message of chasing down their dreams and making them happen to an unfortunate end that has disturbed many of us.

Who are these people?

Andy Dick…Britney Spears…Jessica and Ashlee Simpson…The View’s Sherri Shepherd…Carrot Top…Gallagher…Alan Keyes…Ann Coulter…The Captain and Tenille.

This a mere handful of some of the people who have taken Martin Luther King’s dream and turned it into our collective nightmare. King should have passed on his message only to some of us.

Because, as you can see in this case, segregation wouldn’t have been a bad thing.

But in parting, I leave you with this song in tribute to MLK and a couple of others like him. Enjoy Dion, ‘cause there ain’t no one more hip than the D-Man…

I may be back later, until then, talk amongst yourselves and

Cheers!!