Martin,
Thanks for taking the time to blog here for us today. And I totally agree I think that we have let poverty go on for WAY too long. It is about time that we get serious about eradicating it. It is a shame that in the greatest nation on the earth we allow people to go with out food, clothing or shelter when we have the money and where with all to do something about it. I hope that the candidates took you serious and the one that wins does set up a cabinet just to focus on ending poverty once and for all.

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.

that is very inspiring! also, i think the idea of appointing a poverty officer is a great one… has anyone thought of that before? it seems so obvious…

I remember the day so clearly. I cried, and cried, and cried. I was only 8. He was a great American hero. May we awaken to the dream someday. God Bless America!

MLK was one of a kind. He risked his life not for power, greed or recognition for himself, but because he truly believed he was doing what was right. he gave his life, and there will never be another quite like him. I’m a white Scottish/Canadian woman of 68 and I will never forget the effect his words had on me. Because of him I took an interest in politcs and have never stopped fighting injustice in my own small way. I see some of MLK in Barack Obama and it gives me some hope.

Your father has always been one of my very greatest heroes.

Thank you so much for your work and for your sacrifice.

END POVERTY NOW! Let us all live and be free…and equal…together. There is no higher goal.

Peace. Love is the way.

I believe that when a person dies, other souls are born to carry on that person’s work. I was born on 05 April 1968, a day when many in America were mourning Dr. King. I just always have felt that my soul had an obligation to fight for social justice, peace, and love of all people carrying on in my own way for a great man who died a day before I came into the world. Every year of my life I will have a reminder of what greatness in a human can be and the type of person I should always strive to be. I’ll always wonder how much greater of a nation we would have been had Dr. King lived. I’ll always know we have an obligation to carry on his fight until we are all seen as equal in each other’s eyes and treat each other as such.

Martin Luther King and Matahma Ghandi were two of the most powerful and peaceful men that I have great respect for after all these decades. I am a white woman in my 50’s, as if that matters. I remember hearing about the civil rights movements years ago. Had I been older, I would have been there alongside many civil rights advocates, backing Dr. Martin Luther King in his quest. May his legacy live on forever and may our country remember NEVER to live in the past, but move on to the future and better our country! I admire Ghandi because he had compassion for animals as well as humans. That is something else our government has swept under the rug!

I dont unstand !!Whats all the Black -History and MLK on CNN out of the blue??? It’s not January?? I”m a person that thinks of Mr. King everyday of my life, just not on the day he was murdered?? I can’t help but to put this with the News trying and Obama compain trying to Black-male Americans out of the right to vote!! We dont care who the winner is black,white,or red, but our Nation is dying and we need a proven Leader like Mrs. Clinton . What the Hell!!! what’s all with the lets talk about blacks.Stop all this name calling and acting like a child folks. Can”t CNN News find some good news to report?? BY the way Obama is not anything like Mr. King!

Would your fathers dream include Obama’s church contents? I am all for an African-American to be a commander in chief in the White House. It’s time, i.e., America’s racist past. Yet, I am VERY concerned about this matter. Is there a ‘janus’ face here?

Mr. King–

Thank you for reminding us what your father put so eloquently.

I feel inspired to do more. I will seek opportunities to help the poor because of your comments.

Thank you. God Bless You. Your Dad inspired so many.

Dan

As a child growing up in the mid 50s and 60s I remember the fateful day of Dr Kings death and the sadness we all felt. My parents were racist’s and I never understood the mentality of racism but such thinking was passed on from generation to generation. Ive always believed God makes us all in all colors shapes and sizes and teach my children those values. We are all here to lift each other up should our brother need a hand. Dr King was a beacon of light in a dark time and he made our world a better place with his teachings. I only regret that I never got to meet him personally and express my gratitude for all he gave our nation. I still get chills every time I hear his I have a dream speech.

Hi Martin, Thanks for sharing your thoughts with all of us. You and your family have done a wonderful job of carrying on your Father’s legacy and addressing the genesis of older and newer social issues. Your idea for a cabinet officer to address domestic poverty makes a lot of sense. Hopefully, the candidates will agree to this. Take care.

Martin,

Thank you for sharing with us on the blog. You write with your father’s eloquence.

Yes we have a lot of work left to achieve all of your father’s dream - if we can conquer poverty it will be a triumph for all of us no matter what our race. Dr King was like a Biblical prophet sent to inspire us to act better, respect each other, and find justice for each other. I hope that I live long enough to see his message fulfilled.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

Thank God for Martin Luther King and his family. We are so blessed to have this family so committed to their country. I like the idea of a cabinet member @ poverty, but as a social worker for the last 15 years, I can tell you right now, what we need is birth control. And for families to address the issues of substance abuse, domestic violence and child abuse. This keeps families in poverty beause abused children struggle as adults, and pregnant teenagers and unwed mothers with children that don’t even know who their fathers are , stuggle all their lives…this is the main problem and politicians can’t fix that. I don’t see our way out of this mess. Childhood issues lead to substance abuse, leads to more abuse, crime, etc etc.

Hi Martin,

My dream is the playing field for justice, employment,education and the social divides in America become lessened with the next 10 years. I am so proud of the King children and the continued fight for justice in the USA. Your parents and sister would be proud. Remember you aren’t alone and we all fighting for a better equality and a better America. I too am a dreamer and a truthfighter for justice.

Love your family and all who have paved the way for me to be the person I am today. To GOD be the Glory!

Every day that I live and continue to breathe is a testament to your father’s work. I could have devolved into the poverty that my parents knew as children, and succumbed to all the issues that poverty is the root of. But his work helped them overcome obstacles and allowed us to live a solidly middle class life when I was growing up. They now are able to enjoy retirement in relative financial comfort. It’s hard to imagine that being possible if your father hadn’t pursued equality for all citizens in this country.

The only issue that I’d like to see explored more is the issue of persons of African descent being elevated to the status of being 5/5ths or a WHOLE person. My feeling is that issue is what continues to keep us in a “less than” status in this country. The energy has been set by the Constitution for this to be the case. People of African descent don’t understand why others feel that its ok for us to be treated as less than equal. Some people of other races (SOME not all) don’t understand why they should have to treat us as equals. That is because the Constitution has never been amended to upgrade us to whole person status - even though slavery was abolished and we’re now free. Essentially, we’re still legally second class citizens.

The opportunity to rectify the inequity wasn’t acted upon. The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments don’t address it. Therefore, we have the Voting Rights Act because someone who has been designated as non free and 3/5ths of a person (and only for apportionment purposes) didn’t originally have the right to vote. Periodically, congress has to vote to make it possible for us to legally vote, even though we’re born in and citizens of the U.S.A.

Once we begin to understand that this is the root cause of racial tension in this country, we can begin to heal the wounds. The wording in the amendments is such that it isn’t readily apparent that we still aren’t WHOLE persons. Of course there are scholars who understand this. I guess many are reluctant to dive into those waters because of fears of civil unrest like in the 60s. I personally think that we have matured as a country enough to now have the discussion, rectify the inequity, and work toward making this country the greatest country in the world again. Remember, the rest of the world admired America for saying that discrimination must end. Its possible that she might restore her status globally if we just acknowledge that this is the root of our tensions and do something about it. I think only good things will result. I don’t have my head in the sand, and understand that initially there will be much displeasure about airing the issue. There will be a major bump in the road, but we’ll get over it. We really have come that far thanks to Dr. King.

I love this country. I understand that we have problems. But I’ve also lived in other countries, and wouldn’t trade the greatness of America for anything. I just think that we have a little more work to do to actualize the promise of this democracy - just like the founding fathers envisioned it. They couldn’t foresee everything this country would need to govern itself. They made provisions for us to deal with situations as they became necessary. America is not yet as perfect as it can be, but change in the racial climate of this country is still necessary.

Dear Mr. King:

We are grateful to have had in our lifetime such a shining, bright, insightful leader who to this day continues to inspire not just Americans but the world. Thank-you for having and for continuing to share your dad with us.

Carmela
Toronto, Canada

I join Martin Luther King III in celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr and the gift from God that hen was for ALL people. Though through the work and scarf ice of Dr King we are able to share in so much of what America has to offer, I believe we have become to complacent. With so many in poverty, inner city school still inferior to the schools of the suburbs, health care not available or inadequate, out of portion number of minorities going to prison, our work that Dr King started if far from over.

Somehow we have come to believe that we are going to miraculously rescued.. this my friend is just not going to happen. It is going to take hard work, fervent prayer, and a society that finds value in the life of its citizens. We must take our heads out of the sand and face the fact that though we are better than we were; we are far from where we need to be. Until that happens, the United States will be a nation that is forever susceptible to outside attack. United States, united, under God, when we return to that mind set, then and only then we will see the change that we so desperately need.

God bless Martin L King III and the sacrifice your family made for all of us.

Jeannine

Martin,

Why are you not running for president? We need so badly all the wisdom that you could bring to this nation. I mean, you are not even running and you are picking up the ball of economic hardship and running with it, with a plan inspired by another great leader.

We need a real leader in this country, a leader that leads from their heart, like your father or Kennedy, who saw people when he went out, not different races.

You put it so well, “economic injustice”, and it exists for all Americans to feel, not just any one area or group of folks.

Maybe you could be this great nation’s cabinet level poverty officer. It’s a thought!!

We loved your father, and thank you for gracing us with your presence! Keep urging!!!

What a selfless American…He loved America when American did not love him

In 1967 - 1968 I recall becoming newly aware that Dr. King was a Christian minister. I listened to his messages on the radio while tending infant sons. I knew instantly he was a prophet, he was right, the Administration was deceptive, Viet Nam was a disaster, and America would be judged as a nation by God.

I had come to a place where I couldn’t watch television news without weeping. Then I couldn’t read the newspaper without weeping. This from a white girl from Chicago raised on a toothsome diet of xenophobia, and hatred of many racial and ethnic groups.

I remember the day Dr. King was assassinated. My husband played fast-pitch softball in Mpls. I packed infant sons into the car and drove to pick him up at the bar that sponsored his team. I walked into the bar and announced that King had been shot and was dead. There was nothing but silence. No longer interested in beer and bragging, the players and their wives slowly trickled out. Nobody cared to say anything. We were all stunned.

A few months earlier Minneapolis and St. Paul were burning amidst rioters. But most of us didn’t really know what was happening. We were too isolated.

I remember sitting in my kitchen with a friend, holding babies, watching the funeral all day long on a little portable blank-and-white t.v. I cried all day. It was a terrible time in America.

My husband and I have spent the rest of our lives in a number of ordinary, mundane ways advocating for civil rights, human rights, racial justice, and multicultural understanding. I will end this life wondering, “what if?”

“Sadly, forty years have passed and absolutely no strides have been made to combat poverty.”

No, the one trillion plus dollars that have been spent since the sixties to combat poverty obviously don’t count.

Presumably, the cabinet poverty officer’s primary mission will be to establish the groundwork for the dispensing of the next trillion.

This “dialog” on race and poverty shows every sign of remaining laughably one-sided.

This guy is great!! Why can’t he run for president???!!

We “typical white people” are taught in our churches that their is no black or white, everyone is to be treated THE SAME!!!!!!
Shame on Chicago churches for preaching HATE , racist separtism and anti americanism. If you don’t like it here; LEAVE!!!!!!!!!!!
The rev. wright has been Barracks spiritual leader for 20 years, barrack is a product of rev. wright!!
Michele Obama also is a product of wrights hate rhetoric as we have heard from her!!!!!!
These reverands are disgracefully RACIST!!! Period!!! Massachusetts is smart enough to read into the influence that wright had on Obama over 20 years!!! We will put his morality under a microscope along with his beliefs as he states “typical white people”!!
John Kerry and Kennedy can go to chicago with Obama; we put theese guys in the seats they are sitting in; they will lose their next elections along with Flaherty. Watch massachusetts vote if Obama is the nominee!!!!

I tried to watch the special on MARTIN LUTHER KING but could not. I thought I would see the accomplishments of MARTIN LUTHER KING not his killer what a waisted 2 hours.

The news this week about the low graduation rate in many of our cities is relevant to the issues of poverty. We must find ways to engage youth - and black males especially - in an educational system that gives them what they need to earn a living. We are all failing in this arena. We must give our youth hope and paths to success. It does take a village…….

Sad day indeed but may we learn from the past and forge foward to make America a better place and the land of dreams.

Mr. King, It is a great and wonderful thing to have such a tribute to your father. It is a sad world that many live in and feel that they cannot overcome. Your father transcended race, gender and religion. It might have been a difficult and sometimes horrible struggle at that time, but he persevered. He touched everyone in America and made them proud to be Americans. Everyone was touched in some way even if they don’t realize it, or deny it. I fear that others in this country are going about fixing the problems the wrong way. It should never be about race, gender or religion. It should always start and end about the people, all people, who live in this country and face their individual challenges. That is the message that I got from your father and I hope that our current and future leaders stop and think about what his words meant, then, and today, and what they and we can do to make them a reality tomorrow. God bless you and give you strength.

Dear Martin,

If your father had not been killed that awful day, if he were alive and watching Barack Obama’s attempts to become the first black president of the US, what would he say? Could this man be the key to “The Dream?”

Sharon Wright
Toronto

You know, his dad actually walked over here at Marquette Park, is not actually far from where I live. I will say that if he came back, I think he will be proud..

Do you know what’s my favorite sound byte?? ….Hope. Why?? It doesn’t question you, it challenges you…..

Kathy in Tennessee wrote:

“We are all failing in this arena. We must give our youth hope and paths to success.”

Yes, everyone’s failing — everyone except the “youth” themselves.

Reminds me of what T.S. Eliot wrote:

“Human kind cannot bear very much reality.”

This thread illustrates that perfectly.

CNN, Thank u so much, for the Dr. King special, SOLEDAD OBRIEN, UR GREEEAAT, TO THE KING FAMILY, WHAT AN HONOR TO BE THIE CHILD OF THIS GREAT LEADER, MAY THE LORD BLESS THIS FAMILY AND HOPE HIS LEGACY NEVER DIES, HIS WIFE AND HIM WERE REALLY AMERICAN HEROES

What a momentous documentary that CNN’s Soledad O’Brian put together with colleagues on the watershed unfolding of Dr. King’s culminating saga to advance racial rights in America. Soledad, one of many shady occurrences that really struck me was the parallels between how upon breaking out of incarceration, James Earl Ray did the bank heist and the disposed of his partially burnt gun at his Mother’s gravesite. He used the batch of those $20 bills out of 200K USD to finance his warped twisted and convoluted mission to acclaimed notoriety and recognition. And in what I perceive as an eery episode of Deja Vu, after his assination of Dr. King on this eve 40 years ago, he panicked and recklessly and carelessly disposed of most significant signs of evidence linked to himself in a doorway vesitibule opening of the record shop. Criminals more often than not, even ones of this heinous proportions often repeat the same behavioral patterns and this to me in very condemning and corroborating evidence pointing squarely to James Earl Ray. On a transcendent note, I do believe Barack Obama is taking Dr. King’s exemplary mission to the next level with his campaign for the presidency! Thanks again to Soledad on a remarkable recounting of an inter-generational phenom extraordinairre. Tommorrow is a sacred and defining milestone marker towards the progression of your nation as seen from lens of a myself a Canadian.

Thank you for your blog and your commitment to your father’s dream. His legacy continues to shine light in dark times and brings hope to millions. Your comments on poverty are astute and poignant. I couldn’t agree with you more and hope that the candidates will heed your advise and begin to address this stain on our nation. May we all listen to your words as well as those of your father and the many others worldwide who call on us to lift our brothers and sisters from plight.

Your father was the best public speaker and leader America has had since Franklin Roosevelt. I still get goose bumps whenever I hear his recorded voice.

A nation that fears to discuss the so called worst news is questionable to be a leader of the new world nations. Americans lived to fear to know the worst news on race relations in America. Dr. Martin Luther King dared to announce the first worst news on the race problem in broad day light. Dr. King had to do it choosing words and moods of Americans. But now Senator Obama spoke about that same worst news of race relations in America. The fear was too heavy at first and everyone feared there will be unpreventable quarrel between the past and the present. As days went by Americans are now regaining a victorious future coming in with the every day break by correcting relations between past and present. Senator Obama is now being accepted as the center of the new world relations to strengthen humanities future.
With great humility,

Your father was a great person who beleive on his dreams and that was some already came true, on injustice, egality, and race but not yet to do enough for the poverty, as the fact what happened in New Orleans, no one from the political figure care about them, just making the poverty was much bigger, excepted great attention from Brad Pitt, where on the magazine can see that former President Bill Clinton was also coming there, to give attention beside Brad Pitt, to help people to rebuilt their home, after the tragedy. If Barack Obama will win the next nomination against Hillary Clinton, I don’t think he will win also against Mmcain. Hillary has much stonger character, experiences in all ways than Obama, to get the nomination against MMcain. Barack brought your father’s name on his campaigne but he is not comparable at all to the greatness of your father. So I hope the Ameican people will not be mistaken on chosing someone to be their next President and absolutely not Barack Obama, because he is not the right person. But if Hillary can win, the former president Bill Clinton will be beside her, who could become as well as a good adviser for Hillary, to make your father’s dream comes true, completely. Courage Mr King, your father’s dream is not only a symbol of all American but also people in all over the world. We are still hearing his great speech about that dreams.

This up roar over what Reverend Wright said just shows how clueless Americans are to what their government has done. All he and MLK were saying is that sometimes, like our current president and vp, our government has supported dictators all over the world and still do today.. we have used the atom bomb in Hiroshima murdered millions of Vietnamese and killed people in central America because they supported a social democracy.. of course this will come back on us..duh.. we do not go after Bin Laden family friend of Bush and we support Saudi Arabia who has the worst treatment of people comparable to China who our corporations support because of cheap labor and no concern for American jobs or the people. Why do Americans continue to say if you do not agree with your government like Michael Moore has done then you are not American. Thomas Jefferson said
“When people fear their government there is tyranny.
When the government fears the people there is liberty.”
Americans obviously need more schooling and especially in history. The world no longer views us as peace keepers. We are imperialists. Isn’t this exactly why the Constitution was written to get away from this? Those of us who want to bring home the soldiers safely and stop war for profit are not non American we are real Americans and see ourselves as part of a bigger community then the cowboys who currently run things. Is the problem that black men are intelligent enough to say this while our white men leaders only talk about us in holy terms and believe the world is only 10,00 years old and we have no connection with nature as evolution shows. This is why they have no problem destroying it because they have no intelligent connection with it. Reverend Wright and MLK are men of peace contrary to the white establishment like even Bill Clinton saying why not have a fight thats what America is about..hello grow up Bill. Shouldn’t American leaders be able to have an intelligent and HONEST conversation. This is why as a white woman I vote for Obama. It is clear he can see the writing on the wall and the bigger picture. Not just the needs of the rich, arrogant and powerful.

“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” Ghandi

I’m a 40y WF from North Carolina. I have racists all around me. It was a main reason we moved from our last neighborhood. I didn’t want my children in the same yard as those hateful creatures.
Last night my kids 7y and 9y were watching the news with me and my daughter turns and asks ‘when did Coretta die?’, I said ‘I can’t remember, but just recently, why?’ and she says ‘did she know about Obama?’ and I said ‘God, I hope so.’ She went on to say that she wished MLK could have known him and seen his success. I told her if he hadn’t of been killed, we may have seen an Obama earlier than now.
We must fix poverty in this country to cut down on crime and drop out rates. We must give young black boys a different vision of what the future can hold for them. No, that’s not the reason for why he gets my vote….that reason is another topic entirely. But on this historic day I feel a need to draw a link between Obama and the Civil Rights Movement and the interwoven problems of our society that everyone seems to be focused on right now…..economy, job losses, drop out rates, poverty, education, health care etc.
Obama 08
-Pamela Clayton, NC

How do you feel about your fathers infidelity and plagiarism? And how on the Hoover FBI tapes he was heard beating a women prostitute up. Why won’t the FBI release these tapes until 2030 or so?

Thank you for sharing your views and memories. Your father was one of the greatest americans to have ever lived. I will always remember how he stood up against the Vietnam war, against the strong advice of his counselors, who felt that it would hurt the Civil Rights movement. But he did it because he felt it was right, and one should always do what is right regardless of the perceived consequences.

Great beings are born at decisive moments of human history, to help guide and inspire humankind. It could be as a scientist, a teacher, a humanitarian, or a soldier, but always to uphold righteousness. Your father was unquestionably such a great being, who fulfilled his purpose and then left. There is no tribute, no monument, nor accolade that is too great for him. We should build a monument on the scale of the Lincoln memorial in Washington for him, to inspire the youth of all future generations.

I was just commenting to my husband: I feel like I’ve always lived with the legend of your father- that I could always imagine him as a part of the very fabric of this country.

He is such a symbol for freedom, even for those of us who weren’t even alive when he was. He’s the reason we have come this far- we only have to continue to work to bring this country together.

Thank you.

God Bless you Martin. Thank you for your dedication to this country. I agree with a cabinet officer dedicated to ending poverty. How can we, the public, lobby for this change?

Mr.King,

I was young when your father was taken from this earth and I cried , and cried again and then shortly after Bobby Kennedy our other warrior on poverty and injustice was also taken.. how insurmountable was the grief of losing those two men.
Dr.King will live on forever, he changed not only America but the world, he was a man of peace and change and how pleased he must be to look down and see a black man running for President.. and it is all because of your Father.. God Bless you sir..and Peace!

MLK is a hero of my country Nicaragua and all the Central Americans countries. There is no other examples as this great man.

I recently saw a clip of your father and Harry Belafonte on the Merv Griffin show. I had never seen him in such an informal setting before, and it was wonderful to hear him speak, so very eloquently, on the issues of the day. Most of them still ring true today. Nothing fazed him, and his voice was always calm and soothing. What a great, selfless man.

We must all work for peace and equality for all. I love your idea for a Poverty Officer in the Cabinet. You and your brothers and sisters continue the reach for the dream, and with the same class and intelligence of both your parents. Count me in!

God bless your family. You are in our hearts always!

The real tragedy of MLK is that a man was shot for speaking his mind in a free country. That should never have happened, and it shouldn’t happen today. Why did he get a holiday? Why are his words repeated and his name put on street signs, why is he still a polarizing figure?

It bears repeating: HE WAS SHOT FOR SPEAKING HIS MIND. In America, in the 20th century. Think it over.

Your father was an extremely intelligent speaker. His words still speak to the the people that have been born since his passing.

Martin -

Thank you for your hopeful message on what must be a sad day for you and your sister. I love the idea of a poverty officer in the next cabinet -perhaps you are the best person for the job? Your father was an inspiration to us all and continues to inspire years later. Thank you for your efforts to continue his work. He would be so proud of you and your siblings.

America has come a long way since its inception. America still has a long way to go. The preamble to the constitution recognizes that the goal is to create a “more perfect union”. This would seem to indicate that the current state of America is temporary, because there is still room for progress and there will always be room for progress. Break time is over, lets get back to work, we still have a long way to go.

I was 11 years old the day that Martin Luther King, Jr., I remember that day all so clearly and it is a day that I will never forget as long as I live.

I agree with Martin Luther King, III we do need to have a poverty officer appointed under this next administration it has been to long and things need to change, so hope both Hillary and Obama have heard the words of Martin Luther King, III and make that a part of the campign pledge to America.

Thank you for blogging here today and keeping up the work of both your parents.

Thank you Sir.

Question, respectfully, with all the cheap labor by the millions having already come in and more coming in by the minute from Mexico, what’s left, really, what would the 36 million in poverty DO?

Specifically, how are we to “help” them DO something to help themselves and hence, ameliorate society too?

On a day of great sorrow all I can say is my condolences. I am glad you can speak of ideas to continue the dream of your father and if it has not been mention Sen. Edwards vow of ending poverty would be a great choice to head that position. Just a thought from a young man living your father’s dream.

I was only 1 when Martin was killed. But my mom and grandmom let us all know all about who he was and everything that he did. My grandmothers mother was sprayed with those water hoses as well. My mother told us all about our family history. As I became older I read a lot about MLK. he was a very powerful and well poised man. I sat down with my 9 year old daughter last night and we watched the special on Martin on CNN and she was really amazed and she asked a lot of questions about him, and that is what I wanted her to do so she could know all about her history and of this great man. I see that it still continues on in all of his children as well. This is a very special day and he will truly be missed.

Martin Luther King was a great man. If you look closely, nothing has change. People still can’t except a man of color is running for president and some whites are not going vote for him. I guess they (whites) going to use the Rev Wright excuse for not voting for Obama.

Racism is still alive and well in this country. This is just sad!

Rahni, Connecticut

Martin, Well said, thank you and bless you. Couldn’t help but notice you were all inclusive in your desire to abolish poverty. My husband was raised in dire Appalachian poverty that rivaled even the most deprived I’d ever seen growing up in a Northern inner city.
The stats show White’s make up huge number among those in poverty as well. Especially in rural Southern states where one factory closing can put a 1/3 or more of town out of work.
I honor MLK among the best of the best as a brotherhood people advocate and a Christian man who loved all God’s people admidst the harsh grief being endured by his own race and people.
I must declare that White America and Especially White Pastor’s failed to uphold not just equality and justice but also true Christianity in America’s past. Rev. Martin Luther King attempted to summon White Pastor’s to unite in Christian peaceful solidarity. They ignored and rejected that Christian fellowship which is why churches remain segregated today. It’s also why and how militancy and Islam has stepped into gap and highjacked Christian’s and Christianity because Islam sought the lost, bound wounds of afflicted and cleaned up communities as Christian duty was supposed to do.

I have a lot of thoughts today. One thought that disturbs me more than anything is, indeed, the disproportional amount of material and economic wealth controlled by the few, at the expense of many here in this country. I truly believe in the Covey (1998) philosophy, that there is enough (”to eat”) for everyone–if only those who control the supply (e.g., resources, health care, etc.) could wake-up and realize that their long-term success (and further prosperity) could be enriched by sustaining or improving the lives of others. As it stands now, how can we possibly call ourselves the “richest country on earth” when so many of our citizens are so destitute?

Indeed, there are so many “things” wrong with our nation right now it’s almost impossible to contemplate where to begin. Nevertheless, I agree with MLK III when he suggests that his father’s central themes, today, would be poverty, racism, and militarism…

I say we raise taxes and give it to the poor so we are all equal!

Martin Luther King’s dreams still live in us. The dream that all men are created equal, the dream that right and justice shouldn’t not be luxury but necessity, the dream that poverty needs to be eradicated in the black community must now be extended to all race in this moden world. Blacks and Whites must engage in a sincere dialogue to get rid of their common ennemy in the Washington Lobbying circle and bring power back to people.
May the Lord bless Obama with Dr King’s wisdom to bring us all together once again and teach our children that peace and love must be their only nuclear arms against each other.
I hope to live long enough to see those dreams become a history.

The grace and dignity with which your family has endured through these forty years is truly remarkable. Though I was not yet born on the day your father died, I was raised by parents who opened the doors of our country’s history to me at a very young age. Your father’s role in the betterment of our great country is evident and lasting. I am moved by his words no matter how many times I have heard them. He was so gifted and he used his gifts not for prestige or popularity, but to effectuate change. I have taken the anniversary of his sacrifice as an opportunity to teach my own son of Dr. King’s dreams, strength in the face of adversity, committment to equality and dedication to make America stronger by ending injustice in all its various forms.

Dr King

Your work transcends the shore of America and brought me out of perennial poverty in Africa . My family , myself and all those who have benefited from your work through me will for ever be greatful to you and your family . May the lord grant you eternal rest and your family the fortitude to bear your loss

Seun

Martin,

You should be the one running for President. Your mother, Coretta Scott King, and your father, obviously did put great values in you and your family, and you should be most proud of your parents. Your statements talk to all walks of life, without drawing lines of race. I commend you from the bottom of my heart. Your words have given me encouragement that the cursing, slandering, and mudslinging is not necessary, and you are correct…there are poverty levels that exist in this country, and old, young, black, white, hispanic, ect. worry about putting roofs over heads, and food on the table. This is my field, and I live it everyday. You are a uniter, and you have made me feel hope with your statement. Martin…see-read-there are good in both our races-read the comments above. Obviously-we need to draw away from those who want to keep this issue alive-and unify the country and our races. Bless you-and remember your Mother, also, she did a wonderful job, and I praise her, also.

I recently worked at a campaign event for Barack Obama, and I talked for a long while with an older gentleman who had been in the civil rights movement and marched on Washington. That was a decade and a half before I was born when Dr. King spoke so eloquently about his dream, but in 2008 I sat their privileged by the presence of someone who couldn’t share in this country’s freedom not too long ago, and, together, we sat working for a historical candidate. When I departed this event, this man, who had been through so much, thanked me–I couldn’t believe it. I told him I hadn’t done half of what he had done, but I’d try. He gave me a few words of encouragement and shook my hand: “Be strong BROTHER.” I automatically thought of Dr. King’s dream–hand and hand at the table of brotherhood. I hoped he could see what had happened, for I was much lighter than that brother that shook my hand in skin tone, but we had come together. For myself, I don’t think of myself as any color (I’m of many ethnicities). I think of myself as Brandon–and without Dr. King I don’t think much of this progress would have happened. I’m sorry for the loss of your father, but I assure his dream is being realized, at more and more tables across this country as every day passes because he had lived.

thank you for reminding us what your father did
i will always remember what he did and how he helped america

Mike In NYC, your blind statement : “No, the one trillion plus dollars that have been spent since the sixties to combat poverty obviously don’t count.”

That is a perfect example of just how far we have NOT come.

You mock money spent to combat poverty in FORTY years, but I imagine you support the trillions to be spent on an unjust war in Iraq. I suppose to you brown people are brown people no matter where they dwell.

And as for Kevin Lynch, why do I imagine that lynch is a choice for you, not a true last name? Frightening, yet stereotypical down to the America: love it or leave it attitude.

To quote your father, Mr. King—and while he was speaking of the war in Vietnam, this is precise to the horror of what we are doing today:
“God didn’t call America to engage in a senseless, unjust war, and we are criminals in that war. We’ve committed more war crimes almost than any nation in the world, and I’m going to continue to say it.”

When will it be time to stop pretending we have the right to demand the rest of the world follow us? Why in the world would they want to with the USA in such a massive downspiral? I pray that the dreams of Dr. King will see reality, but while we continue to bleed money into hate and murder disguised as patriotism, our own country is quietly combusting.

As litle boy growing up in Africa, i had a book about MLK. His speaches and life story. He lived a selfless life and inspired millions not only here in the US but around the would that you can stand up against injustice and prevail even when the odds are overwhelmingly against you. He and Mandela are eceptional humanbeings. I wish America will listen and truly change. As an African, I always thought America was a near ideal society where there was plenty for for all and where people were no longer treated by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. After living here for a year, the shock I have is beyong words. That there are homeless, hungry people right in Washington, not far from the White House will be unbelievable to my African friends. To hear the media use race and twist comments by others during your presidential elections reminded me of ” Radio Mille Colins” that poured fuel that led to the Rwandan genocide. Thank God Americans have studied and won’t stoop that low. But honestly if what has been going on in some media had happened in an African country with many tribes, then all the ingredience would have been put in place for the unexpected. I do think the media can help enormously to educate the people and not incite hatred and racism. It hides in us and just needs the list excuse to explode. Anderson I appreciate you program last night about MLK. I learnt alot.

First of all, the King family made no sacrifices above any other family. The fact that they have sold or leased all of the legacy shows that the spirit of Dr. King did not roll over to the kids. While I truly respect the work that he committed himself to, the greatest message was not of non violence or justice but faith in the message of Jesus Christ. In one of his last speecehes, he stated that his legacy would not be one of the ” finer things in life” but of a committed life. Guess the kids and Misses missed that one. All we seem to see is the need for celebrity.

Yes, Martin,

Your father’s legacy needs to be continued. Poverty is one of the last frontiers of socail justice, and at the same time, the oldest problem in society. I think Obama needs to create an Econimic Justice Cabinet position, and it should be headed by John Edwards. That’s who I would appoint in a heart beat!

Long live the memory and the legacy of MLK, and may he never have given his life in vain. We need to end the racial problems of this nation, and end the suffering of the poor everywhere.

Amen!

Brandon and Rick How very ignorant of you. This is a day to commemorate Dr Martin Luther King Jr, his Life and his Legacy…why do you have to throw ignorant remarks in here?? Obama? Clinton? Rev Wright? That is not what we are here to talk about! Dr King was a GREAT man who sacrificed alot not just for the black community but for the American community as a whole!! That is why we pay reverence not because of his color!!…whenever i read such ignorant comment from people like you….it makes me realize that the “Dream” hasnt quite materialized yet.

What a wonderful message on your blog about your father. You were blessed to have a wonderful father, even if it was for just a short time. My heart goes out to you today in your loss. Your father’s sacrifice of his life for his country is heart wrenching as is the loss of our soldiers in Iraq and other wars. Because your father was a soldier, only he was on native soil. He supported change in America just as our soldiers support America in wars. He would have probably been proud of the changes that have occurred, but also would have kept working for a better America. Who knows, he might have eventually been America’s first black president if he had lived.
He would have also been proud of you, his namesake. Your ideas about a “poverty” cabinet member are wonderful. Each day in the news, we hear about America sending funds to help those individuals in other countries, but where is the help at home. I realize that we have welfare and foodstamps for those individuals who do not have jobs, but there are others who are trying to make a difference in their lives that could use a helping hand. Poverty does not just strike those who are unemployed, but very many people who are employed. Many people are stuck in dead end jobs that don’t pay the rent and are forced to work two full times jobs just to keep a roof over their head. This in return causes sickness, which causes more debt and depression. Defeating poverty will take education and a willing america to make poverty in america a thing of the past. I hope that the candidates will listen to your words and words of others and create a position to help the poor in America, whether they are unemployed or employed.

I was 10 years old and I remember your father being shot like it was yesterday. I remembering my parents crying, I guess them thinking that their hope and just been died. I have since lost both my parents and I know the feeling of lost, they were also great people. Keep your head up ONE DAY AT AT TIME. Your father would be so proud of you as would mines be of me.

God Bless

Martin,

Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts with us.

Your father and his legacy have taught me to believe in myself and go after my dreams, it will take time, but it will one day come to pass.

His dreams are coming to pass and they are already changing the United States of America.

It is my prayer that some people who do not believe in themselves will learn from the legacy of your father and learn to challenge themselves.

May God continue to protect all of us.

Bravo for you!! I think appointing someone to concentrate on the poverty issue is wonderful! As one of the comments stated… isn’t that the obvious? It really is a shame that in these United States we have this problem. Look at all the riches we have here… it’s outrageous how many are living in poverty! We should be giving hope and encouragement to have a better land that we live in. Keep on keeping on….. for the peace and equality!

Mr. King,

God bless you for carrying on your father’s work. Your idea for a cabinet member dedicated to the issue of poverty is spot-on. Individual Americans can do much, too. You may recall that a week ago, Wal-Mart was smugly justifying its legal but amoral taking of a former employee, Debbie Shank’s, personal injury funds–funds needed to house her in a nursing home. Thousands of individual Americans wrote to end this social injustice, and their voices have made a huge difference. A week later, Wal-Mart has not only decided to leave Ms. Shank’s moneys alone, but also to change the policy that had allowed Wal-Mart to go after the moneys to begin with. This is a real win by the American people against a huge entity, and shows that when we act individually in large numbers, we can accomplish vital social change.

I was sixteen and living in Pontiac, Michigan, the day your Father was murdered. I now take advantage of the moment to extend my belated condolences to you and your entire family, and also thank you for keeping the issues of social injustice on the table this election year. I admire the legacy of your Mom and Dad, Mr. King, and I am sure they are proud of you. Keep up the fight and good luck

Well said Terry……………by the way, I watched Michael Moore’s movie “Sicko” for the first time last night. Everyone should see this show.

So many countries actually take care of their people. Free National Healthcare. Wow, what a concept. If I get sick ,I’m heading to Canada.

Martin,

I respect the dream that your father had. I respect what became of his work, for I live it today. I want to encourage others to dream a dream, and push the dream to reality. It is so easy to quote someone else’s dream, while yet neglecting the truth that others have dreams. We must echo the dreams of those not noted by historians and celebrated by the masses.

Poverty in our country is not the absence of basic neccessities anymore, it has now become what one doesn’t have that others do have. People fighting against poverty don’t realize that the root of poverty is not just greed and rich white people, but it is more so the mentality of the people. At one point, the absence of what you needed was poverty, now if you don’t have a single-family home and a Lexus you might get the poverty vote.

Everybody is pushing towards economic equality. It will never happen. Why? Because an imperfect people produces an imperfect society. Even more so, economic equality is slap in the face of those who earn a living honestly; many times most than others. It isn’t our job to see that everybody has the same thing. It is our job to see that everybody has the same opportunity.

When our young people don’t go to school, they have the opportunity; yet they don’t go. We don’t need more educational funding, we need more people to take advantage of what has already been provided.

When you think of any major innovation in our world, you think of what someone had and what could be done with it. Opportunity can never be equal, because someone will always be left out whether it be by choice or neglect. Opportunity is what is before you, not what is before everybody else.

Thank you for your comments. However, you’ve got to be kidding about a government “poverty officer”.
First, compared to the rest of the world, there is little true “poverty” in the US. Poor Americans have places to live, food to eat, medical care, and own cars, TVs, and refrigerators. I’ve seen poverty firsthand in the third world - people living in cardboard boxes on garbage dumps with literally no world possessions. There is little or none of that here.
More importantly, though, until people realize that THEY are responsible - not the government - poverty will never end. The government has poured trillions of dollars into anti-poverty programs over the last 40 years - and (thanks to the government’s changing standards on what constitutes poverty) we have more people in “poverty” than ever. If we had simply given that cash to poor people, we’d have created millions of millionaires. My suspicion, however, is that they’d still be in “poverty” because they didn’t earn it. Government programs that give money to unwed mothers, for instance, have destroyed the black family. The majority of black children today are born into single parent families without fathers - which is the leading cause of poverty.
If Black leaders were really serious about ending poverty, they would encourage marriage and personal responsibility. Poverty will only be overcome if poor people learn to care for themselves and their families - without expecting someone else, like the government - to come and fix the problem for them.
Simply put, poverty CANNOT and WILL NOT be solved by the government. Pouring more money down the hole of the “Great Society” will only continue to make the problem worse.

I find it very sad that some people use Dr. King’s son’s blog on his deceased, legendary father as a way to attack Barack Obama for his preacher’s words, and to complain that African-American history is getting too much coverage since it’s not the right month! Wow! White history is studied all year long, yet if black history is paid attention to outside of its designated 28/29 days, it’s viewed negatively, as if Black history (especially the legacy of Dr. King) were so minute that the shortest month of the year was sufficient to cover it.

Anyways, I applaud your efforts to combat poverty Martin. You’re a true leader & inspiration to us all! I hope the candidates take your advice effectively & maybe appoint you as the cabinet officer!

Terry @ 4:49am,

You are so right! But this will not make news as we are afraid to look at ourselves as Americans. The truth is it’s not the little guys/gals in America on the left or the right . It is our corupt government officials on the left and the right, who are anti-American toward the future of America. Officialswho are getting rich illegally at home and globally as they use the American Flag and it’s citizens as a weapon around the world.

If we, “the people” and the media networks could influence Washington to begin Internal Affair Investigations into the illegal affairs of our government officials, we, “the people” could begin real change for a Great Nation, “America the Beautiful”.

But this will be cited as, “conspiracy theory” and brushed aside. There should be an expectation of, “Transparency in Government”.

Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy understood this and paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

Thank you Martin for sharing with us! Your father was taken way too early from us. It makes me sad, that at times I feel we are more segregated now then in the past years with all the violence, racism and hatred, your father was the Prince of Peace and was against all the violence.

Your father is my daughters hero and has been for years, she feels she’s some how connected with Dr. King as she was born 04-04-1986 and he was killed in 04-04 1968.

She tries to see the good in everyone but has learned over the years that we live in a jaded world. But it hasn’t stopped her from talking about MLK when the opportunity arises. She feels in order to keep the dream alive, we need to talk about it and live it everyday!

Martin Luther King III:
Thank you for your comments. I hope the present Candidates will take them to heart and unite to end poverty. There is no reason for people of our World to be in need.

Martin Luther King will be with us forever. His Greatness will live on not only in the minds of Americans but in minds of all people throughout our Universe.

I listened to the Video of Martin Luther King’s Sister. I wish her the Best on her new Book. I know it will be a Best Seller. The King family is a family of Champions and deserve enormous gratitude.

Thank you Martin, for again sharing with us your father’s Legacy. I have much respect and lover for you and your entire family.

I was born in 1968. A lot of what my parents and grandparents went through was a tragedy. Thank goodness that I never experienced it first hand. But I will always hold much respect for the King family.

You have all taught us how to judge the essence of a man, rather the color of a man. And really that’s what it all boils down to. Every opportunity that I have to watch something that involves the history of this country, I do. I do it because I have children that may one day lead this country. So I want them to be prepared and have the right kind of tools to do their job right.

1 of those tools it that you have to understand where we were in history, to appreciate the advancements that have been made. Yes, we still have a lot of work a head of us. But I do believe that we can handle this. Americans have shown great courage in the past, and some of them still fight the same fight that Martin Luther King Jr. fought so many yrs ago. And let me just say this, it is very important that we still talk about it. We shouldn’t just be doing it during black history month, or on MLK day. This should be in our conversations more frequently, because I feel that, that is the only way that we can surpass all the racial hatred that still exists. We should also be looking for ways to improve the current systems that are in place, so I do agree with you fully and totally about the President of the United States appointing someone to directly focus on those issues that still exists.

If there are people that disagree with you, or disagree with what CNN is covering, about what it actually means to be black, then, this is just more evidence that there are people who in some form or fashion have hatred toward black people. This is Huge!! I am a white female who grew up in a military family, so, there was never any room for racism in our family. Never!! God will be the judge for all of us, no need for us to judge each other. It only wastes time and energy. I’d rather focus on positive things in my life, and set positive goals so my children will do that when they grow up, and they will be productive and maybe have a positive impact on someone else one day.

Thank you CNN for covering this story. And realizing that the fight is still on within all of us. And for realizing that Martin Luther Jr. is more than just a holiday that we celebrate. He is more than just a street named after him. He is more than being a part of Black History Month. He is more than just a memory.

He is still ….. the Future!!

Blessings,
Beth, TX

He is still the Future to a lot of Americans …. Every day !! :0)

In response to my pointing out that over a trillion dollars have been spent to combat poverty, with pitiful results, Mollie responded:

“That is a perfect example of just how far we have NOT come.”

I’m not sure what you mean, except to imply that more money will solve the problem. Or that it’s whites that haven’t “come far.”

Whites are the least racist people around, in case you haven’t noticed. Every other group is allowed, indeed encouraged, to think as a group.

(Also — I’ve opposed the Iraq war from the beginning. A tremendous waste of lives, both Iraqi and American, and resources. A tragedy of biblical proportions.)

Martin-

I agree with the problem of poverty, it is huge problem and we need a huge person to take it on. There are some people that left comments that I agree with and some I do not, such as AZ. If all children have the equal opportunity to get an education, then why are so many children getting beat up, or worse on their way to school. Or they will not leave their house without their older sibling to protect them, that is not equal opportunity.

MLK had a dream, but he also had a vision, to see people working together to make the United States a better and equal society. That vision had yet to happen, we have not had anyone strong enough to speak out on the issue of poverty since MLK besides John Edwards. Edwards ran for President talking about poverty and other issues, Americans did not give him a second look, what a shame, he really could have helped and changed the direction of our nation.

Will we ever get someone to stand up and say, “That is enough, we have to change?”

JP

Dr King stood for justice and in justice he found something worth dying for.His death has never been in vain. In fact his death accentuated the justice cause.Like Christ he was a world changer and a shaker.Happy anniversary.

Natalie wrote:

“White history is studied all year long, yet if black history is paid attention to outside of its designated 28/29 days, it’s viewed negatively.”

You and I must be living on two different planets. White history is never studied explicitly as “white” history, as opposed to “black history.”

And since when is black history viewed negatively? Black history as a noble, long-suffering resistance to white oppression has become a constantly repeated theme.

Constantly apparently isn’t enough, I guess.

Praise The Lord says it all.

BRAVO!! Great idea having a poverty officer. I think you would be a perfect candidate. I would vote for you.
Also, I just wanted to pass along-last night I watched a story about your Dad on CNN news and James Earl Ray-the assasination.
I have to be honest here, I am white and never really paid attention to the whole MLK thing/dream…but after watching this story last night-It brought me to my knees in tears- I am sorry I did not realize how great a man your father was and his passion-my gosh- breathtaking.I wish I could have known him-and now I DO realize his dream and back him up all the way. You are blessed to be the blood of this great man.

I don’t believe the american public yet has been able comprehend the greatness of your father. We are still learning to this day, God Bless you

The filthy rich and the poor, the final injustice, agreed
But please don’t be sucked into socialism’s disease

I know it’s hard to believe in capitalism
Seeing the haughty prance around and carelessly play
While the workers are stuck in the gutter fighting for a decent wage

But reminder what King said “I have seen the promise land”
It is the vision that saves, money makes slaves

Time to unify
Organized Will
Valiant Action Wings
The power has always stayed with the people
Making us brave and sustaining us for one more day

So hold tight to the truth
Don’t let the elitist kill your dream
Light the scared heart
Forge the Soul Sword and Shield
Love, the corner stone, lets rebuild

The soil beneath your feet is fertile
And the fruit on the trees are ripe
Basic Goodness encompasses all
Time to manifest the warrior’s way!

JP,

No opportunity exists without obstacles. The opportunity for education does exists for children. Children getting beat up on their way to school is not an issue that the opportunity doesn’t exist, but the reality that an obstacle is there. Those are obstacles that can be overcomed.

It is just like saying I can ‘t go to work because of traffic. Well, traffic is the obstacle that I must face in order to get to work.

My thing with education are the children who show up at school, but leave school to go sit at some man’s house with his daughter. That is not seizing opportunity. The reason why I know is because I see it firsthand.

I imagine JP you are probably middle-aged. Well, I am a teenager who knows what is going on.

Remember, the government keeps changing what poverty means. It use to mean absence of baisc needs; now it is the absence of what everybody else has.

Remember when $100,00 (6 figures) was the income to make. Now those who make $100k and say, “What money?” Constant changes causes us to amend what things mean.

Poverty (as most define it) will always exist as long as an imperfect people exist. People are not trying to combat poverty, they are trying to get people on the same level. Well, everybody can’t be on Bill Gates level. Everybody can’t be on Jamie Dimon and Derek Jeter level. But yes they can. But when they do, the so-called standard becomes greater.

You have rich athletes, then you have moguls. Rich athletes can be worth $20 million. Moguls can be worth $1 billion. People actually look down on the rich athletes from the mogul standpoint because the difference in what can be acquired is so different.

That is how poverty works. Those with Honda Accord look down on FOrd Focus, as they look down on those who ride the bus. Poverty is about acquisition or lack thereof. Poverty in America is about push a consumptive practice that equates to what the rich, then the wealthy, then the O My God wealthy.

It’s been enlightening seeing folks in this thread fawn boilerplate-fashion over MLK III’s generic screed.

It doesn’t take much to impress you folks, does it? Anyone who plays to your fantasies gets the Oscar.

MLK III wrote:

“I am looking forward to Americans rolling up their sleeves … ”

A variation on “Michelle’s Theme,” here. Time to get to work., [white] folks. Stop sitting on your lazy [white] behinds, get out of your [white] comfort zones, and get to creating that perfect world. You’re suffering from too much privilege, in case you hadn’t noticed — you were probably too busy struggling to make ends meet, in between dealing with the guilt you’ve earned from being responsible for everyone else’s problems.

Folks, your perfect world will never exist. The “promised land” doesn’t exist. We’re not getting to the “top of the mountain.”

People are who they are. Differences exist. Not “vive les différences” type differences, but differences that have to be acknowledged and lived with.

First to address Brandon. From what I have read from the post, I am not sure that you really know what you are saying.

As for Kevin Lynch, I think that you totally missed the point as far as Obama’s former pastor. Maybe, you think that King did not say something very controversial. You must not remember the speech in NYC’s Riverside Church, where he spoke out against the Vietnam War. There were people, who hated him then. Plus, did you hear the whole sermon that Rev. Wright said, or are you one of those people, that a soundbite is enough for them. Start thinking for yourself, and not let others think for you.

Finally, Martin III, I want to say that your father was a great man, and we need someone like him today, in a world that has gone man. Then, maybe we, my generation, and the generation to come, need to maybe take the baton and run the race, to make America, and the world around us better.

Today as I ponder the sacrifices of your father, family, and all of those ancestors whose blood cries out to us, my heart is heavy. Although I’m encouraged by some of the strides of this past generation, it is clear that more work is necessary to fulfill all aspects of Dr. King’s dream.

While there are many external factors contributing to the current plight of people of color, we must recognize our role in perpetuating the violence that plagues our communities across this country. Last week one of my friends/co-workers was murdered. Unfortunately, I have experienced the loss of many loved ones; however, it is the first time someone I knew well was murdered. The violence has hit too close to home. I’m devastated. My friend is now a statistic; part of the murder rate among people of color (he was Hispanic). Now his children will grow up without a father and his wife is a widow at the age of 40. Violence is corporeal and its effect is eternal. It is up to us to end this internal conflict that threatens our progress.

I’m looking forward to watching CNN’s upcoming series “Black in America”. As a proud alumna of an HBU {Florida A&M-Go Rattlers :-)}, I hope the series is fair and properly reflects the diversity of the African-American experience.

The special with Soledad made me wonder more about who was involved in the assassination.

I understand the King family does not believe it was Ray.

What did the police say was Ray’s motive? He seemed to not have a motive and he also didn’t appear to be someone who could plot the assassination of such a high level person over the course of a year. Even if he took the shot, I do not believe he was on his own.

There are too many strange circumstances surrounding that day.

Some of the theories that were shot down on the CNN special were not really shot down. For instance that roof of the fire or police station. They showed a picture of no one being on the roof minutes after the shot. However, when I watched it again, there could have been a person lying flat with a rifle (or even one that had already took off before the picture was taken).

And remember that black police officer that said he got a call that said “We’re gonna kill you” — All that stuff is too weird.

We have a national holiday for MLK Jr. when our own government is the one who really took him down.

I also don’t believe the prosecutor on the show that said government secrets can’t be kept that long. That is pure bull. There are many things the government has kept secret that we will never find out about. Its only when there are whistleblowers or undercover investigations that we find out of wrongdoing in the government. They can hide things and keep secrets very well.