Pro-life vid of day: Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, 50 yrs later
by LauraLoo
It is such a privilege to post, on this 50th anniversary – the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s address at the March on Washington on August 28, 1963, in Washington, D.C.
This is one of the most iconic and most important speeches EVER on the importance of valuing all human beings – and on judging them not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs[/youtube]
The metaphors, imagery and alliterations in this speech are, in my opinion, unparalleled. Dr. King’s speech was used as the example to follow in my Speech Fundamentals class 20 years ago, and it made a lasting impression on my mind and heart.
Some questions to ponder:
1. 50 years later, have we made progress and, if so, how?
2. What about civil rights, freedom and liberty for the preborn?
Email dailyvid@jillstanek.com with your video suggestions.
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
In the Windy City, an “educational organizer” called for black-American students to boycott CPS (Chicago Public Schools) today by skipping school. Would Dr. King agree? And, is this how his legacy should be honored? The Mayor was not amused. I have yet to hear the reaction of black leaders here.
I am not sure, but I am going to take a guess and posit that Dr. King would never accept aborting black children. It’s a shame that black leaders condone this atrocity.
Racism still exists but I think progress has been made. Whether or not you like Obama, you must agree that 50 years ago it would have been unthinkable to have a black president. I think that black leaders should start addressing the programs within our communities — the high rate of black on black crime, the high out of wedlock rate, etc. And I also think he would be appalled by the high rate of abortion in the black community.
I’d say it’s one step forward and 55 million steps (and counting) back. Morally, this country has lost its mind in the last 50 years.
Racism is based on prejudice and thus it will never go away. All of us are prejudicial toward other races. Search deep down in your soul and you will agree. So it is not so much a question of racism but rather one of discrimination based on skin color alone. Equality is based only on eliminating discriminatory practices from the fabric of our society but is difficult to accomplish because - although laws and Acts exist – prejudice remains.
If MLK was alive today and could see where black culture is these days, he’d probably shoot HIMSELF.
“Racism is based on prejudice and thus it will never go away. All of us are prejudicial toward other races. Search deep down in your soul and you will agree.”
As a mixed-race person, let me just say sincerely: eff off, Thomas.
Mixed-race individuals are an exception Xalisae but not always either. Think for one minute that the problem of racism is still strong precisely because there is prejudice in those that propagate racism, so for you to dismiss it only because you are mixed-race, but wait one question: which race do you identify with? Answer this question for yourself and perhaps you will get my point.
If Thomas means we prejudge tendencies of other races, I would agree. Take for example the young Asian man in yesterday’s Video of the Day. I can’t imagine many whites or blacks who wouldn’t keep running, instead of somewhat owning up to bad behaviour. Not these days, anyway.
Believing the majority of a race is intrinsically inferior is real racism, and fortunately that is rarer than 50 years ago. I just wish more admirers of Dr. King’s speech truly believed his words.
We do need a speech on judging a person on their age, rather than the content of their human dna.
Well, now I don’t get what you’re getting at, Thomas. I have to withdraw my “like”.
And that’s okay Hans if you witdraw your “like.” Mixed-race individuals take the identity of one race. Look around you and you will agree. It is all based on prejudice. Notice I did not ever state that it is based on racism (I am sure some will misconstrue my statement). My only point Hans is that prejudice is an inherent component of being human, no matter what race you are.
And is it rarer today? Just not too long ago, two “scholars” wrote a book entitled “The Bell Curve” about the inferiority of the black race’s intellectual domain. Racism is alive and well in academia Sir.
“And that’s okay Hans if you witdraw your “like.” Mixed-race individuals take the identity of one race.”
Not really. I’m half-“white” (American I guess, if that’s a ethnic category), and half-Cuban, and I feel comfortable identifying as either. I get treated like a white dude though, because I look like one, but I’m just as comfortable speaking Spanish and being around the Cuban community as I am in typical American culture.
I do think people tend to be unconsciously prejudice, but humans tend to be unconsciously jerks in a lot of ways, doesn’t mean that it has to be something we accept or try not to change.
“which race do you identify with? ”
I don’t. My ancestry is primarily English and Mexican/Spanish, but I identify primarily as AN AMERICAN. As everyone in America should.
When I speak of racism and prejudice Xalisae I refer to white/black relations in this country. I thought that was evident. I apologize for the confusion. This post asked for us to discuss those relations specifically. Being a mestizo or criollo is totally different than being a mulatto in this country, I am sure you will agree.
Again Jack, I was strictly referring to individuals who are mulatto. Being half Caucasian/Cuban and half Caucasian/Mexican one will pass off for being white more often than a mulatto may. It is a bigger dilemma in this regard for mulatto individuals as those racist sentiments are stronger than for your specific situation.
“. Being half Caucasian/Cuban and half Caucasian/Mexican one will pass off for being white more often than a mulatto may. ”
Depends. A lot of the “lower class” in Cuba and in Caribbean nations are very dark-skinned and definitely look “ethnic”. The slave trade and mixing with native populations made quite a variety of skin colors down there. Most Cubans in the US right now are lighter-skinned, because of middle and upper class people running away from Castro’s regime, but there are a lot of dark-skinned and African looking Cubans, Haitians, Dominicans, etc. Two of my sisters are a lot darker than me, for that matter.
I do agree that black/white relationships are quite a bit different and black-looking people face much more prejudice than white-looking Latino/as, but you’re still making a lot of assumptions and trying to simplify a very complex issue.
Oh I am not simplifying this issue at all. I am just pointing out some of the problems that perpetuate racism in these circumstances. Complexities are many and I realize that. Discussing some of them as I have above is a start.
Does everyone in America identify him/herself as an American? You opened a can of warms there Xalisae. That discussion needs a separate thread…
1. 50 years later, have we made progress and, if so, how? – yes, but not enough. The same as in many, many nations in the world. I think fear of the unknown and not being comfortable with those who may live their lives a little differently are a factor. And that’s not just when it comes to race.
2. What about civil rights, freedom and liberty for the preborn? – here’s a clue – “and on judging them not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
Well, that’s different. But your writing style is still as confusing as your opinions. ;)
Does everyone in America identify him/herself as an American?
Unfortunately, no. Many are Mexican-Americans, like myself. They shame my mother’s family.
I am not sure what progress means? Does it mean that affirmative action is no longer needed? Or perhaps that we do not have to refer to the Caucasian male as having been born into “white privilege?” (this concept has been around for couple of decades) or perhaps as I stated before, are our prejudices reduced enough that they do not lead us on the road of racism?
Take Xalisae’s statement for one moment to ponder what I submitted to you: that prejudice is an inherent part of all of us. She stated:
“If MLK was alive today and could see where black culture is these days, he’d probably shoot HIMSELF.”
This statement illustrates precisely my point as it is, if you pay close attention, full of prejudice that is underlined by one’s preconceived notions. I am being told that being a mixed-race individual makes one somehow free of prejudice?
Please challenge me and argue that this statement does not exemplify one’s inner feelings and beliefs about a certain race (in other words prejudice).
Prejudice is a normal occurrence and is common across all racial lines, it is the discrimination that we as a society need to continue being concerned about.
Do we come together to narrow the racial divide or are we further apart on this issue? Nowhere in the speeches that came out of Washington today did I hear a single word about what can unite us. All I heard was rehashing of history (a reminder of what was, yes) but not informing us of how to proceed forward. Amongst white and black leaders there is disconnect as well; some are “race hustlers” and some (the whites) continue to propagate stereotypes which definitely increase prejudice. In the black-American community the ”n…..” word has become a term of endearment. Samuel L Jackson used it recently in regard to Pres O (when speaking about elections, he referred to Pres O as “my n…….”, you can google this).
So who is responsible for minimizing racism: all of us and it seems that it’s not quiet working out yet.
Thomas,
Your comments on this thread have been a strange mish-mash. I doubt many would disagree that this week’s speeches belie MLK’s plea for unity.
But xalisae’s only prejudice was giving the benefit of the doubt that MLK would agree with us that black urban culture doesn’t do much for promoting “content of character”.
I don’t think the term “black culture” is correct. I see just as many white boys around here doing the urban criminal thing. There’s also a huge problem with Latino boys doing so. It’s more prevalent in the black community because it’s a problem with being part of a poverty-stricken demographic in urban areas, which disproportionately includes black young men. I consider it thug urban culture.
I do think that a lot of rap music promotes it, and rappers are certainly disproportionately black. Rappers usually came from the same hoods that have embraced thug culture though. But rap music is by far consumed more by white young men (simply more of them than there are black young men), so it’s a problem for everyone.
Dr. King’s speech most definitely always apropos. I am not certain that what I heard from others today touched on moving us forward Hans. I may be wrong and it would not the first time Hans.
I arrived in this country at age 14, 30 years ago as of last month. Prejudice is not unfamiliar to me at all as I have been the recipient of it (how can a Caucasian male be you ask, does coming from an Eastern bloc nation ring a bell?) Prejudice is out everywhere, black/white or otherwise. It has been evident in many comments across the board on this blog as well.
Xalisae was still being prejudicial though Hans. You can’t see that? She judged the black “culture” and those that live it.
An educated opinion is not prejudice, which is mostly used as a synonym for bigotry.
I said the speeches weren’t “moving us forward.” How do we disagree?
I just caught that part of your response to me Hans. Sorry. We agree on this! I must make a notation of this somewhere! But that’s exactly it. So what needs to be done than to move us forward? I touched on some issues in my long commentary above as perhaps either impediments to or helpful in attaining the goal of unity. Hopefully that content makes some sense.
Again Jack, I was strictly referring to individuals who are mulatto.
Um, the correct term is biracial. Mulatto means “mule”. My children are not mules.
I don’t think the term “black culture” is correct. I see just as many white boys around here doing the urban criminal thing. There’s also a huge problem with Latino boys doing so. It’s more prevalent in the black community because it’s a problem with being part of a poverty-stricken demographic in urban areas, which disproportionately includes black young men. I consider it thug urban culture.
You’re right, my son hangs around with trashy white kids and they all listen to rap music. They all have juvenile records and some have adult criminal records and they are as white as they can be. On the other hand, my daughter identifies more with black people. Both are often mistaken for Latinos (mainly Puerto Rican). Everyone thinks Asians are perfect, but I’ve seen thug Asians (mainly Cambodians and Laotians and some Chinese).
As for comments about “black culture,” I am college educated (Ivy League) a homeowner, and have never been involved in crime or had an out of wedlock child, or done the other things that black people are “supposed” to do. My daughter is a third generation college graduate. So what “culture” do I belong to>
MLK was not pro abortion ….Look up Klannned Parenthood all….chilling !
Nice to see you MST !:)
MST: Bi-racial refers to mixed-races overall, Mulatto is a term that is specific to black/white children but has now become archaic, as black/white children nowadays take the identity of one race only (see my discussion above).
Mulatto is a term used to refer to a person who is born from one white parent and one black parent, or more broadly, a person of any “mixed” ancestry. See Contemporary usage of the designation is generally confined to situations in which the term is considered relevant in a historical context, as now most people of mixed white and black ancestry rarely choose to self-identify as mulatto.”
The etymology of the word is correct, however it does not at all have a negative connotation to it and I am not using this term to indicate so either.
And yes MST you are exactly illustrative of my argument that xalisae’s comment “If MLK was alive today and could see where black culture is these days, he’d probably shoot HIMSELF” is full of prejudice. Thanks MST for validating my point with your life story for some here.
So Hans: do you now get what I was getting at? Should I get my “like” back?
Well I think we’ve made *some* progress… But not enough.
I think the real issue is that people are generally jerks at heart. We have all sorts of prejudices. Today, it might be more of a socioeconomic prejudice rather than race, but there is still plenty of racial tension.
And Thomas R, please. Give me a break. I have witnessed *plenty* of cultural prejudice against “Mexicans” or anyone looking/acting like that. Most latinos/as are automatically profiled as an illegal immigrant simply based on skin color. How’s that for racism?
The human race just saddens me sometimes. I just hope I can raise my boy to be different, and to see people as people no matter how small, large, nor what color their skin happens to be.
Sometimes we just have to walk around in someone else’s skin and try to see life from where they stand. We are all human, and we all have struggles.
And did I ever claim that prejudices are strictly afforded to blacks by whites? This thread was just contained to that particular racism. I come from an immigrant group that has been stigmatized in the same manner that the Mexican immigrant has. Try being stopped by a cop as a Caucasian male and speak to that cop with an accent (sorry to report but in my 30 years in the US I never took “accent reduction” classes, should have?). Its much better now but I still hang out within my community a lot so my accent is, shall I say 50/50.
Mainstream America continues to be prejudiced toward not only that particular group, although it is most evident due to this group being the most visible for reasons everyone is familiar with. As I said in one of my comments above, prejudice is everywhere.
“Everyone thinks Asians are perfect”
Lol, I think this is the oddest thing. Do people not realize like, most of the heroin in the US comes from Asia? And Asian gangs are exceedingly vicious. Asian people are people, with differing cultures depending on their country or where they were raised, some are good people and some are bad. It’s just ridiculous how Americans are all like “k now we like this particular immigrant group or minority group, because of stereotypes, but we don’t like this other one, for equally arbitrary reasons.” It’s just self-fulfilling. If you think black people are dangerous or “ghetto”, they aren’t going to get good jobs and education they need to get out of the crushing poverty from years of bad social policy and prejudice. So the cycle perpetuates. It’s the opposite way with Asians, since they are seen as the “smart” immigrants and minorities, they are sometimes even more likely than white people to be offered certain jobs and places in good schools, and so they do better in the US. Stereotypes end up being self-fulfilling prophecy.
Another example of this is how the Cuban community in the US is treated compared to other Hispanic immigrant groups. It’s not because Cubans are better, trust me, they simply get treated a lot better.
“Everyone thinks Asians are perfect” Hey, if it were not for the Asians in my High School years ago, the school’s report card would show a big/fat F. LOL…
The psychology of prejudice is compelling. From day one, we make generalizations about every single thing we perceive with our senses. Thus, everything we encounter we have made generalizations, even predictions about what happens, could happen, etc. Used appropriately, this phenomenon drives learning, language, emotional comfort, and so on. Judging before we truly know something to br true is rather a handy skill that is at the very essence of human experience.
Prejudice is our tendency to try to judge and make generalizations about a person’s behavior, or character traits, based, usually, on superficial, observable traits – skin color, hair style, clothes. It’s unfortunate and inexcusable to make bad generalizations, good generalizations, any generalizations at all, about unique individuals. At the same time, understanding how and why we do it, does help me to see how to break out of wrong ways of thinking. Again, it doesn’t have to be racism (which is largely a more complex cultural phenomenon I would concede) – think about what we estimate about a person based upon their appearance.
And I have been telling people here that prejudice is an inherent part of being human and is unavoidable Lifejoy. For that I received a couple of reprimands. Truth hurts. I guess some do not want to admit that it is the case and dismiss even the remote possibility that it does exist in people’s minds on a daily basis. Some even go as far as claiming that prejudice is synonymous with bigotry, which is totally untrue (all bigots are prejudiced but not all prejudices result in bigotry).
Thomas R. ~ I wasn’t sure if I was reading that aspect of your comments exactly as intended, so I did not frame my comment as such, but I did think we were in the same ballpark (not that I agreed with everything you said). Indeed, prejudging is necessary in our daily lives, but NOT the prejudging of PEOPLE based on SUPERFICIAL traits. Perhaps without “judging” per se, I wonder if it is even possible to completely eliminate the constant predictions we make about people based on what we see (or hear) and even if it is productive to be rid of that strategy? Like everything, it is about where to draw the line – most certainly before hate and negativity or full out assumptions, but ahead of that, where? Probably where you start assigning value to a person, similar to the pitfalls of judging behavior.
I agree that we have to make the best effort not to judge based on superficial traits but it happends LifeJoy. That is an inescapable fact. But I am just interested in knowing if we run from it and claim that we are not prejudiced or do we face this human fallibility and do our best to overcome it?
I think that the bigger shame lies with discrimination, ie. taking one’s prejudices to the next level so to speak.
“But I am just interested in knowing if we run from it and claim that we are not prejudiced or do we face this human fallibility and do our best to overcome it?”
Yes! This question! We face and overcome, exactly. Because we are broken sinful people, and when we face our sins, and empty ourselves, we are ready to be filled up with God’s goodness.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
You are also right to draw the line then at discrimination. I don’t think it was always clear in your other comments the distinctions you were making between these different elements of racism.
There is only one race: HUMAN