Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Jan. 15, 1996, edition 1 / Page 13
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A: ebrate tl s the birthday of Martin Luther King approaches and the nation prepares to celebrate the national holiday in his honor, once again the debate about how to appropriately remember Dr, King is heating up. From my vantage point the cele bration has become enveloped in so much ritual and pomp and circum stance that there is almost the illu sion that the need for civil rights agi* tation and human right struggles impasse. The rhetorical ring of Have a Dream'! reverberates monot onously throughout the nation as if to consciously mask the nightmare that exists for millions of Afro Americans and poor people in this country. ii is as it the King Holiday has become an annual occasion to coopt inc real's meaning of the life and legacy o f Martin Luther King, it h a s almost become a harm- - less affirmation of the virtues of the American dream and the American svstem Conference were planning the most massive direct .action mobilization ever, the Poor People's Campaign, [n 1963, Dr. King deliyered his renowned "I Have a Dream" speech. By 1968 the "promissory capitalist political economy into question. His was an urgent appeal to cherish peo ple over profit and human and spiri tual values over property rights and materialism. ^ Since Martin Luther King was assassinated, it seems that every thing has changed, yet in reality nothing has changed. As we are half way through the decade of the 90s, the rich in America are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer. In America the capital of capital ism, the homeless and hungry roam the streets, our inner cities are in decay and drugs are ovbrwhelminc entire neigh bo r h o o d s . And despite the apparent progress of a few Afro Americans, misery still ITb o u n d s among the masses. Afro Americans and people of oortH will eti 11 ?;iipps^ ?*????w "77ie King ^.Holiday must inspire us to act, to finish the unfinished business. It must not lull us to sleep or have us_ : , ? ' ' ????'. 1 1 UC, ? , A celebrate into complacency." ? ,-.v- ...? 'A ? ' ?. ?',? ?'.??> . ? ? '? >- / S-; & ine American system may indeed have its virtues, but Martin Luther King used the freedom of speech, the right to peaceful assem bly, the right to vote and therightjQ^ petition the" governmenf to confront unjust laws and hypocritical system which provided sanction for racism, segregation, discrimination, racial oppression and violence. In the spirit of natural rights and the Declaration of Independence, Martin Luther King used non-violent direct action to revolt against and call into question an unjust govern - ment. Civil disobedience was used as a weapon to transform a fatally \ flawed system, so that^the idea of an American dream might have some prospect of being realized. As he neared the end of his life/ Dr. King still had his dream, our dream, but he was well aware that the dream was far from being ful filled. When Dr. King journeyed to Memphis, he and his aides in the Southern Christian Leadership need to use what Martin called moral force to challenge this nation to change. Beyond the King Holiday and beyond the dream, we need a living, acting Martin Luther King mantain a renewed assault on racism, racial violence, militarism and poverty. The King Holiday must inspire us to act* to finish the unfinished business. It jpust not lull us to sleep or have us celebrate into complacency. There is always the danger that the real legacy of Dr. King's life will be lost and that his image and sym bol will be manipulated and used as an instrument of cooperation and pacification* It is our sacred duty to protect and live our the real legacy of Martin Luther King. ? V.-;.*. . ;\-v /*": .. ,. * (Ron Daniels served as the director of the National Rainbow Coalition and as the deputy cam ptiign manager for the Rev. Jesse Jatkson9s presidential campaign in 1988. He is how president of the Institute for Community Organization and Development in Youngstown,. Ohio.) Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 15,1996 I often wonder whether or not education is fulfilling its purpose... We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character ? that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only power of concentration but, worthy objectives upon which to concentrate. The broad education will, therefore, transmit to one not only the accumulated knowledge of the race but, also the accumulated experience of social living." Forsyth Technical Communis College 2100 Silas Creek I\irkwa\ W inston-Salem, \C 27103 (910) 723-0371 HJHjuj r run CREST urniture Fumisn/ng Homes Since 1962 ? In House Financing ? Lay-A-Way ? Discount on cash sales ? FREE Delivery 505 N. Liberty Street .. Winston-Salem, NC (910) 725-5082 i sincerely appreciate your loyalty and patronage over tlie last three decades and would like to express our thanks to you on this celebra tion of Martin Luther King Jr.'s efforts for peace and Vermont Castings Wood & Gas Stoves, Fireplaces and Inserts SAVE $50 - $400! Every Vermont Castings stove, fireplace or fireplace insert is q sale now. Save up to $400 o highly efficient wood and gas models. Easily installed almost anywhere in the home! Hurry, sale ends February 10! 930 \\'. 4tl? Street Winston-Salem, NC STOVES _oCrt\(p ICH M >"??><? ? /W?Violj 722-6222 The Entire Staff At The Chronicle Remember Martin Luther King Jr. on this Celebration of His Birthday, January 15, 1996. MARTIN LUTHER J^ING JR. DAY JANUARY 15. 1996 To keep up with all the African-A meri inanity local and national news. Read the Winston-Salem A Chronicle, subscribe TOD A Y! Call Today and Subscribe! For only pennies a week you can be informed about the African-Americar community. Fill out the information below and send a check or money order for One Year only $30.75 or Two Years only $40.95 to: Winston-SalemThronicle P.O. Box 1636 Winston-Salem, NC 27102 Name: , _ Address: City: - .. State: Zip:. _ Telephone Number: Or Call: 722-8624
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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Jan. 15, 1996, edition 1
13
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