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Born Michael King Jr., the man known to the world as Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. has continued to be an enigma. Both revered and reviled, he has been a force to be reckoned since he led the historic march in Selma, Ala., in 1965 and continues to be so even in death.
"Sexual degenerate" and "communist" are not terms often associated with this revered nonviolent leader who spearheaded the civil rights movement.
Yet, Brett Reese, a member of the Greeley-Evans School District 6 Board of Education, is broadcasting just such an attack on Dr. King through his 104.7 FM pirate radio show.
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"Just a sexual degenerate, an America-hating communist and a criminal betrayer of even the interest of his own people," Reese reads during his radio broadcast.
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The attack was prompted by a letter from a listener, but Reese quickly jumped on the bandwagon. When asked if this was appropriate behavior for a school board member, Reese responds:
"It's ... you know what? That's a good question."
Reese says despite calls for his resignation, he will continue broadcasting the commentary every day up to the MLK holiday on Jan. 17.
While parents are in an uproar over the insulting letter, the fact remains that it is the opinion of a listener and has every right to be publicized.
Dr. King was not perfect, and I believe it diminishes his legacy to attempt to paint him as such.
In 1989, Rev. Ralph Abernathy, a close friend of Dr. King's, published 'And the Walls Came Tumbling Down,' an autobiography in which he alleges plagiarism and womanizing on the part of the civil rights icon. Abernathy's assertions -- and other accounts of King's less-than-charitable views toward women -- are hotly disputed.
Regardless of Dr. King's shortcomings his impact on racial relations and standards of racial equality cannot be dismantled by one person's opinion or even thousands.
The world is different and better because of the visionary teachings of Dr. King.
We have a tendency to elevate our leaders to hero status and usually are disappointed when they fall from that pedestal. Countless people have been calledto service because of the transformative message of Dr. King, and that cannot be denied. Even while I oppose many of his views, he taught me that regardless of ideology, we should all be able to agree to disagree, and that is a message as effective in our homes as it is in our government. He gave us the tools to create our future in this country. What we have done, and continue to do with them, is our responsibility.
A man doesn't have to be perfect to make a difference.
So as Jan. 17 draws near, let us honor the man who forever changed the course of the United States. Let us honor the man who told us we didn't have to sit at the back of the bus,inspired a generation of people to rebuke racism and encouraged us to judge people on the "content of their character and not the content of their skin."
Dr. King's legacy is too vast to be placed in jeopardy by one listener's ignorant rant.
Comments: (93)
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By: Robert on 1/10/2011 4:59PM
When you make things happen in this country you get the flack and the threats associated with leadership. Want to make a real difference? Keep your head low and voice heard.
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By: The Truth on 1/10/2011 5:50PM
It's the memory of what MLK stood for that drives others to continue the dream.
If he had faults they would pale in comparison to what he represents.
Oh what stories would come if the contents of all our closets came to light for all to see and judge.
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By: Andrew Thompson on 1/11/2011 6:48AM
Any dummy, fool or ignorant bonehead who tries to take away or tarnish the good things that Dr. King did is a malicious liar in every way. Further should take his old ugly crack sit down and shut up
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By: Tek_Knowledge on 1/11/2011 12:32PM
not to be too harsh on Dr King, victim of white supremacy...but let me ask you this. Did Dr. King end the system of white supremacy? Although Dr. King's effort should be admired, we shouldn't be giving him all of these Kool aid points for changing the face of racism, not ending it. Just look at the results pre 1970 and post 1970. The schools are still segregated, wealth is still stratified, Genetically modified food still is getting fed to Africans, and nonwhite people are still being mistreated because they are not white. Furthermore, i think you should be suspicious of any so called "civil rights leader" who the us government heavily endorses, both then and now. If the white liberals of the 60s endorsed this guy so much, perhaps his efforts were refining white supremacy just as much as he tried to combat it.
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By: blackyoda on 1/10/2011 5:02PM
"Dr. King's policies mirror those of President Barack Obama"
Really? I would love to hear this. Barack Obama is, in every significant way, the exact opposite of Martin Luther King.
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By: ADMR on 1/10/2011 5:36PM
Exactly - A Loser...
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By: olanzo38 on 1/11/2011 9:31AM
DR KING AND OBAMA ARE NOTHING ALIKE. TELL ME ONE THING GOOD OBAMA HAS DONE FOR BLACKS. HE REALLY HASN'T DONE ANYTHING FOR ANYONE EXCEPT THE WEALTHY. IT IS WHAT IT IS. LOOKS TO ME IT'S ALL ABOUT VACATIONING WITH OBAMA.
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By: Kevin on 1/11/2011 5:45PM
You're not thinking clearly on this comparison. Dr. King and President Obama are very similar in their views of how to bring about change. They both use strategies that force a racist society to examine itself in areas of inequality in education, jobs, and everyday benefits, while trying to build bridges to repair the racial divide.
Many people would be homeless if Obama didn't fight for unemployment extensions. That one thing changed millions of lives. The GOP would have had the unemployed in the streets. Obama also signed a bill, one moth into his presidency, to help the unemployed pay for healthcare, forcing companies to carry 65% of the burden. Both Dr. King and Obama believe in trying to find solutions that will provide opportunities to help level the playing field, in those areas that make a significant difference in everyday life.
Be mindful of how you compare and judge. Look at what leaders are trying to accomplish as well as what actually gets done. The GOP has tried to block and discredit everything President Obama has tried to do. He has done well, especially considering the uphill economic battle from day one. We all know that this very government worked hard to undermine everything Dr. King tried to do. That's why Dr. King had to use the nonviolent movement, and the media, to shame America into living up to what it professes to believe, concerning the treatment of its citizens. Obama is doing something similar, and his focus is jobs, education, and healthcare. He is showing us a national mirror. As a nation we will either change or suffer the consequences of our greed, arrogance, and lack of compassion for the poor.
As for the racial issue, most racist don't want to be called one, and hide behind sheets or some so-called patriotic agenda. Anyone who disagrees with their views is a communist. Like Dr. King, Obama has been called a communist. Everyone that has ever fought for true equality and the rights of working people in this country has been labeled a communist. As for the racist who wrote the letter, and the one on the school board, "He who is without sin cast the first stone." Who said that? Ummm....So drop your rocks. Dr. King has a well-deserved holiday named in his honor. All you racist need to take at least one day off.
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By: ADMR on 1/10/2011 5:39PM
This Is Old News - Not Just A Ladies Man, Kinky Things
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By: ADMR on 1/10/2011 5:41PM
The ROSE Experience ONE....The Real KING Is Awaited - squeaky Clean
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