Historical examination of MLK

[Fountain79]

Many of our most notable historical figures(Jefferson, Kennedy, Lincoln) receive both accolades and criticisms in books written about them. Martin Luther King however does not seem to receive such critic sm, at least not on the surface. Should there be more critical examination of his actions and/or politics?

[H2O Man]

1. You might enjoy

reading J. Edgar Hoover's thoughts on King. Very critical.

[Fountain79]

2. hmmm

Do I denote a sense of sarcasm?

[Jeffersons Ghost]

3. yeah

Several nationally known figures called him a commie among other names. Is that critical enough? I have a name for him: He was the finest "Christian leader and teacher" to ever live in North America, unlike the God-robbing hypocrites we suffer through today. He also emulated Christ to the letter and laid his life on the line for a just cause.

[Fountain79]

4. I am glad...

That people were able to talk about this without knee-jerk reactions.....but anyway...

There were plenty of nasty things said about Lincoln, Kennedy, and most likely Jefferson in the time that they were alive. After they died up until recently there seemed to be an almost "saint-like" quality to their lifes.

[NYC Liberal]

5. And Washington, too. Thomas Paine wasn't too fond of him toward

the end:

"If there is sense enough left in the heart to call a blush into the cheek, the Washington Administration must be ashamed to appear. And as to you, Sir, treacherous in private friendship (for so you have been to me, and that in the day of danger) and a hypocrite in public life, the world will be puzzled to decide whether you are an apostate or an impostor; whether you have abandoned good principles, or whether you ever had any."

http://cooperativeindividualism.org/paine_letter_to_washington_02.html

If you want some criticism of MLK, try Googling. Of course, a lot of it will be from racist wingnuts, but there you go.

[Fountain79]

6. That's my point...

If we grant sainthood to MLK we allow the racist idiots the opportunity to say that a black historical figure is above criticism.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

7. Yeah, let's knock MLK down a peg or two

on his birthday so the racist idiots won't have that opportunity.
Like they havent had that opportunity for the last 50 years and
done what they could with it. Who's granting him sainthood, btw?

[Fountain79]

Please see post #4

[A-Schwarzenegger]

9. Please stop trolling for MLK-bashing on MLK's birthday.

[Fountain79]

10. I am not trying to troll...

I just asked a question and rather than getting any kind of intelligent responses, I have been accussed of either being a troll, or siding with those who sought to bring down King. He's an historical figure, he's human, not a god.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

12. "I am not trying to troll..."

Convinced anybody of that yet?

[Fountain79]

14. I honestly don't care if I have or not...

[A-Schwarzenegger]

16. About as much as you honestly care about MLK...

[Fountain79]

17. oh boy...

:eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes:

[Jeffersons Ghost]

8. the only problem I'd have with his "sainthood"

Is that he wasn't Catholic, otherwise I'd say he far exceeds the criteria set forth bt the Roman Church. So, tell us, what sort of person plays Devil's Advocate on the very day we honor such a great human?

[H2O Man]

11. Good question.

The truth is, of course, that there are numerous books and articles on Martin that take an objective look at his life. For a person to take the stance that there are not could only, it seems, be due to one of two reasons: {1} the person is so unfamiliar with the subject that they mistake ignorance for perspective; or {2} they want to stain Martin's memory on this day. If there is a third possibility, I'd enjoy hearing it.

[Fountain79]

13. Ok...

Which books???

[H2O Man]

15. Go to your library

or to a good bookstore. Reading about Martin may help you with this issue. In my library, I have at least two dozen books either entirely or largely about Martin. I also have about twice that many good articles from different sources. That is the result of a good 37 years of collecting. Perhaps you could make an effort to start tonight. Good luck!

[Jeffersons Ghost]

18. why wait?

There is an excellent recap of Dr King's life on public TV right now. It's both analytical and in some case critical as all historic accounts should be, if accuracy is important.

[H2O Man]

19. "Perhaps you could make an effort to start tonight." n/t

[cantstandbush]

20. I heard on the radio today two speeches by MLK that I had not heard

before. One was undated and unamed but was titled by the station as MLK's "Pathway to Non-violence." It was simply another masterpiece and much needed to be read or heard by the American public today. If only the one network would devote a solid 90 minutes to playing or reading his speeches I think it would do more to stir the minds and passions of people than anything our Congressmen and women can say today.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

21. this is great!

Tons of clips from King speeches in order, with lots of period video and great narration by people who fought with him. It will likely continue all evening here in alabama. They're covering his anti-war period now... later folks