We Must Never Forget the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther
The proposed release of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. files by the Trump Administration is another distraction of President Trump to take away the focus off the Jeffrey Epstein Controversy, with many in his own administration inquiring about the files of the convicted sexual offender— what he knew about the life of Jeffrey Epstein. It seems questions will not go away.
The President is trying to steer the questions to other topics. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing. We don’t know how this is going to end. While this is going on, we must uphold the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Most people who are aware of the history of the FBI during the time of Dr. King know that he was under attack, and rumors were passed around about him trying to take away from his work for freedom, justice, and equality.
The family of Dr. King including his daughter Dr. Bernice King and his son Martin Luther king, Jr., issued a statement encouraging that people respect and honor their father, and the work that he did for so many people, whatever happens. This columnist also encourages people to remember the work that Dr. King did when leading movements to obtain equal rights for African Americans, working class, and the poor of this country. Dr. King was arrested more than 100 times for leading civil rights movements and going against the white power structure fearlessly. His leadership was felt all across the south and participation in fighting for voting rights was significant and resulted in opening the doors for many people.
He was always threatened by the Kul Klux Klan. His house was bombed. He wrote about the threatening phone calls in a book called, “A Knock at Midnight.” The March in Washington brought together hundreds of people from all races who came together to demand justice from the government. His “I Have A Dream Speech” will stand for many years. Dr. King also was famous for his speech against the Vietnam War. We must remember his struggle along with many others who fought for civil rights. Emerge magazine dated August 1993, recalled the work of Dr. King and so many who came before and after Him.
The Late Congressman John Lewis recalled the work of Dr. King and in this magazine. He wrote that Dr. King was one among thousands who fought for justice. There was the Rev. Fred Shuttellesworth of Birmingham, Medgar Evers in Jackson, Mississippi, Ella Baker in Atlanta, Andy Young, Hosea Williams, Rev. C.T. Vivian, Jim Bevel, Whitney Young, Jim Foreman, Stokely Carmichael, Rosa Parks and Thurgood Marshall. Dr. King inspired so many people. His legacy will live on forever.
Our responsibility is to teach our youth about him and continue to hold up all those who sacrificed their lives for justice. If we look around today, we see some of those same battles that are causing harm to so many people in education, the economy, the courts, voting rights, and the banning pf our books and rewriting history. Dr, King was famous for quoting a bible verse from Amos 5:24 that says: “Let, justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” In quoting this verse Dr. King suggested that America must make justice and righteousness a reality for the poor. The rich have stored up more than they could possibly use up in many lifetimes. Dr. King’s work was for justice for all people. He was painfully aware that America was far from meeting its obligations to the oppressed.