Martin Luther King Day

Martin Luther King Day Jr. had been born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The pacifistic preacher would have been 97 today, if he had not been assassinated in Memphis, where he was had spoken out for striking black teamsters at the Mason Temple. His prophetic words survive today.

"And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers?

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

After his death Michigan congressman John Conyers and Senator Edward Brooke introduced a bill to make King's birthday a national holiday. Congress failed to pass the bill with GOP opponents stating another federal holiday was too expensive and honoring a private citizen set a bad precedent. This opposition was led by Jesse Helms, who had accused King of being a Marxist, however The King Center organized support for the bill and President Reagan signed it on November 2, 1983 with Coretta King in attendance.

Arizona resisted the holiday with Sen. John McCain finally yielding to pressure, however the state fought off King Day with 76% of voters in a referendum rejecting the holiday. The NFL cancelled the Super Bowl scheduled for Phoenix and when the state was faced with similar boycotts Arizona passing a holiday honoring the Civil rights leader. New Hampshire fell next and finally South Carolina, which had offered public employees the choice of taking off Martin Luther King Day or three days honoring the Confederacy.

That shit might fly with the KKK, Trumpites, Nazis, and the Proud Boys, but it don't fly with the public employees of South Carolina.

Today remains Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

What's today?

Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Again and again no matter what 'them' think. Now more than ever. Resist.

JFK on the March to Washington

Written August 13, 2013

Two years ago the BBC News reported that JFK had attempted to block the 1963 March on Washington for fear of violence and painted a picture of a president apathetic to the plight of blacks in America, however the article ignored to mention the Justice Department descending on Birmingham after the police chief had sicced dogs on peaceful Civil Rights demonstrators and had focused on Martin Luther King's Statement that 'the events of the early summer had transformed the struggle for black equality from what he called a "Negro protest" into a "Negro revolution". America, he feared, had reached "explosion point".

For the most part the violence was one-sided with white supremacists bombing churches and firing at SNCC volunteers, however the specter of a slave uprising scared whites and JFK was concerned about losing the South to the GOP on the issue of equal rights.

Upon hearing on the March on Washington JFK called out the National Guard and the FBI spied on march organizers and radicals opposed to non-violence.

Snipers were placed along the parade route.

But on August 28 there was no violence.

JFK listened to King's I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH.

"He's good - he's damned good”

I thought the same thing in Boston.

I hoped for a better day.

And so did JFK.

After the speech the black leaders came to the White House.

It was hard to stop being a white man and see all men as men, but this country was founded on the tenet that all men are created equal.

JFK understood that and his brother even more.

We are all family.

March On DC Plus 60

Written 8/26/2013

August 28, 1963 hundreds of thousands of Americans assembled in Washington DC to march for Jobs and Freedom. They gathering had a good number of whites, but the marchers were predominantly black and very brave considering how the police treated any congregation of coloreds with violence.

The DC police had mobilized the entire force and its chief had called in the National Guard to maintain order and had gone so far as to forbid liquor sales in the capitol.

The sound system at the Lincoln Memorial had been vandalized and organizers had demanded Attorney General Robert F Kennedy for a replacement.

The US Army made the necessary connections and the next day the area around the Reflecting Pool was occupied by the largest gathering of African-Americans ever held in the USA. The mainstream media expected mayhem. None expected peace from blacks. They were wrong.

A moment of silence was observed for the passing of W. E. B. DuBois and according to Wikipedia Roy Wilkins told the crowd, "Regardless of the fact that in his later years Dr. Du Bois chose another path, it is incontrovertible that at the dawn of the twentieth century his was the voice that was calling you to gather here today in this cause."

Speakers from the SNCC, CORE, and SCLC extolled immediate action against racism.

With good reason.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s took to the podium.

I was twelve years old and watched his speech on a Zenith TV.

I knew no black people.

I lived in a suburb south of Boston.

His words struck my soul.

The preacher had a dream and I have shared that dream throughout my life.

One day we will enter the Promised Land.

To hear his words please go to the following URL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs

America Same As It Ever Was

Today is an important day in the American holiday calendar marking the birth of Martin Luther King Jr., who fought the forces of racism, saying, "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

Sadly the forces of hatred ended the peacemaker's life in Memphis. I would like to uphold his path of pacifism, however race hatred in America burns brighter than a KKK cross.

Years ago at the Diamond Exchange I was speaking with Richie Boy and said, "I should have the day off."

"What? National Nigger Day?"

"What did you just say? You're Jewish and I don't consider none of you white."

I was half-Mayflower descendant and 50% Black Irish.

"Sorry."

"You better be." Racism has been a hatred taught to us whites at an early age and later that afternoon a rich white woman saying, "I hate the city. It's so dirty."

She wasn't speaking about the litter, but the filth of the races.

I said nothing, because I was trying to sell her a diamond and the best revenge was to hit her pocketbook.

Money is all the rich have and I try not to hate them or white people, because there's nothing wrong with taking cash off the rich.

Long live the man of peace and even a dead Martin Luther King Jr. is better company than the filthy rich.

He gave his all for the world.

For everyone.

SAY IT LOUD, I'M BAD AND I'M PROUD

Martin Luther King Jr. was a great orator. His speech I HAVE A DREAM is recognized as a masterpiece of the spoken word. I know parts of it by heart.

Another voice for Civil Rights was the legendary James Brown.

His songs united blacks and whites, but the Godfather of Soul sang about pride and never better than his hit SAY IT LOUD, I'M BAD AND I'M PROUD.

Martin Luther King Jr. was super-bad and a champion of all, so today celebrate his life with love.

James Brown would want you too.

To hear SAY IT LOUD, I'M BAD AND I'M PROUD, please go to the following URL from PLAYBOY AFTER DARK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKCsUWx-QoA

JFK on the March to Washington

Today the BBC News reported that JFK had attempted to block the March on Washington for fear of violence and painted a picture of a president apathetic to the plight of blacks in America, however the article ignored to mention the Justice Department descending on Birmingham after the police chief sicced dogs on peaceful Civil Rights demonstrators and focused on Martin Luther King's Statement that 'the events of the early summer had transformed the struggle for black equality from what he called a "Negro protest" into a "Negro revolution". America, he feared, had reached "explosion point". For the most part the violence was one-sided with white supremacists bombing churches and firing at SNCC volunteers, however the specter of a slave uprising scared whites and JFK was concerned about losing the South to the GOP on the issue of equal rights. Upon hearing on the March on Washington JFK called out the National Guard and the FBI spied on march organizers and radicals opposed to non-violence. Snipers were placed along the parade route. But on August 28 there was no violence. JFK listened to King's I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH. He's good - he's damned good” I thought the same thing in Boston. I hoped for a better day. And so did JFK. It was hard to stop being a white man and see all men as men, but this country was founded on the tenet that all men are created equal. JFK understood that and his brother even more. We are all family.