One year ago this month, I wrote a column titled “The Pimping of MLK Jr.” to argue that King’s legacy has been perverted by those who profess to love and admire the man. In truth they are doing all they can to destroy everything he stood for — and died for. Here’s some of what I said:
“Bluntly speaking, King has been put on the corner like a hooker. Who would have ever thought that a dead man would ever be forced to turn so many tricks? It’s all a very sorry commentary on the shameless marketing-is-everything age in which we now live. A spiritual and social warrior can be transformed into a product designed to meet the needs of even his worst enemies.” And here is what President George W. Bush said about King last week at Georgetown University during a speech he gave both in recognition of the King holiday and in honor of outgoing Secretary of State Colin Powell:
- “Every year on this day we reflect the history of civil rights in America. … Dr. King loved America enough to confront its injustices, not compromising the truth and not fearing any man — and America loves him in return. … “By observing and honoring Dr. King’s birthday, we teach the next generation lessons that must never be forgotten. We need our children to know how great the struggle for racial justice in our society has been, and how much work remains to be done. [Applause.] We need them to know that the greatest causes sometime involve the greatest sacrifices, and that history moves forward on the strength of those sacrifices. And we need the children of America to know that a single life of conscience and purpose can touch and lift up many lives.”
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