REMEMBERING MARTIN

April 4, 1968 was the day civil rights history screamed! The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was the real "shot heard 'round the world". "The Dreamer" had been murdered and everyone worried whether or not "the Dream" died with him. While any African American leaders called for calm and others yelled for retribution, unrest and anger began springing up in different cities. The media, (in its usual wisdom), plastered images of violence and unrest over the airwaves and front pages. Officials scrambled to thwart what they feared would be a larger repeat of the summer of 1967. Eventually calm was restored and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was laid to rest with the honor and respect he deserved. His successors tried to keep the dream alive, yet the void created by Dr. King's absence was very difficult. I applaud their efforts, because they did not let the dream die. Unfortunately, the movement stalled at times and although we as a people and society have made great strides, we still have along way to go. Yes, there is an African American man and a White woman running for the office if the President of the United States, yes there are African Americans running major corporations, the reality of so many African-American men being such a large percentage of the nation's prison population remains a black eye on the legacy of the movement. The fight is far from over. That fact needs to be realized and we all need to act accordingly. Welfare and other forms of public assistance are not positive by-products of the Civil Rights Movement! They are instead tools of oppression, suppression and create complacency. That message needs to get across to those caught in that vicious cycle. There are many others, but that is another blog. getting back to MLK, the assassination has always been and probably will always be speculation about conspiracy. We live in a distrusting society that suspects cover-up and sinister plot behind every event. The funny thing is that usually there is something shady going on somewhere. History has demonstrated the alphabet law enforcement organizations (FBI, CIA, etc.) have tendency to interfere in matters in the name of what is perceived by a few to be necessary for the sanctity of "National Security". Well, again, another blog...not this one. Let us remember Martin Luther King, Jr. and his accomplishments and be grateful for the way we all have been touched by them. Hope remains alive and well as a result of the life of this great man.