Martin Luther King Jr.

[MadBomber]

All whites are racists; all coloreds are racists; the South MAY rise again; today is NOT Rodney King Day nor James Earl Ray Day. MLKJr would just be a fine spokesman and leader of the majority of the Colored community if he had not been shot. We would not have a "Holiday" for that. The special day was sprung on us in order to keep Colored Revolution off of the streets. Why don't we have a JFK Day to keep Catholics from running mad in the streets? There are just as many Race-crazy folks of any color as any other color. It behooves us all on this forum to keep a calm that only wisdom of experience can teach. To live, act, and speak otherwise just means that YOU will be highest on the Zombies target-list. Shut up, and learn your enemies, above and below you. Buy silver bullets. EBG

Wow...that might be one of the more offensive posts I've read on INGO.

 

[MadBomber]

Here's a decent article from today's Denver Post making comparison with Dr. King's Poor People's Campaign to the recent Occupy Movement.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_19750416

 

[J_Wales]

King was a socialist, a borderline marxist, and a statist. (Please pardon the redundancy)

Among his accomplishments, he did manage to greatly advance the "great society agenda" of the progressives which has done much to damage or destroy individuals, families, and our republic as a whole.

That so many are blind to this and celebrate MLK as something more demonstrates just how far the progressive indoctrination has come.

 

[Que]

King was a socialist, a borderline marxist, and a statist; nothing more. (Please pardon the redundancy)


That so many sheep see him as something else demonstrates just how far the indoctrination has progressed.

Can you articulate some of the areas where Dr. King proved himself to be a socialist?

 

[armedindy]

i was waiting for you to pop in here wales

it is what it is i guess

 

[NYFelon]

Look, I'm no huge fan of MLK. Mostly because in the shadow of his assassination, a terrible thing in and of itself, the man's lesser qualities become hidden, and a taboo to speak of. But I'm not so sure that the term "colored revolution" is quite appropriate either.

I don't begrudge King his vices/issues, all men have them. The more public the man, the more they must become hidden. However if one should bring up that King was a wanton drinker, or a womanizer, one is automatically a 'racist'.

So, here's to the idea of MLK. The rest is mostly smoke and mirrors.

 

[Que]

All whites are racists; all coloreds are racists; the South MAY rise again; today is NOT Rodney King Day nor James Earl Ray Day. MLKJr would just be a fine spokesman and leader of the majority of the Colored community if he had not been shot. We would not have a "Holiday" for that. The special day was sprung on us in order to keep Colored Revolution off of the streets. Why don't we have a JFK Day to keep Catholics from running mad in the streets? There are just as many Race-crazy folks of any color as any other color. It behooves us all on this forum to keep a calm that only wisdom of experience can teach. To live, act, and speak otherwise just means that YOU will be highest on the Zombies target-list. Shut up, and learn your enemies, above and below you. Buy silver bullets. EBG

I'm sure you will get much rep, but what practice have you put in place to learn who your enemies are?

 

[rambone]

Dr. King stood up to a corrupt, bigoted, and unjust Police State. He did so not only in speeches, but in peaceful civil disobedience. He was arrested on many occasions for breaking unconscionable racist laws that made him into a second-class citizen. He spoke out against the Vietnam War and the horrible use of the draft. He challenged the oppressive status quo. He was a leader when America needed one, and people followed using his peaceful example. He died serving his cause.

All the laws passed after his death can be debated on their merits. King wasn't a lawmaker and can't be blamed for imperfect laws that he did not write. When it came to changing hearts and minds of a nation, King was exactly the figure that was needed. We could use another one like him today, to face off against these wars and the growing domestic Police State.

 

[J_Wales]

Can you articulate some of the areas where Dr. King proved himself to be a socialist?

King articulated himself.

In a September 1967 speech in Atlanta, King condemned capitalism as an inherently unjust economic system and declared that his movement was devoted to "restructuring the whole of American society." In Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?, a book published in that same year, King endorsed the time-honored socialist demand for a guaranteed minimum annual wage, which would be "pegged to the median income of society" and would "automatically increase as the total social income grows." In this particular example of literary "borrowing," King was merging his voice with that of Karl Marx, who coined the phrase "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need."

King also bared his socialist inclinations in a lengthy interview he granted to Playboy. In the magazine’s January 1965 issue, King moralized that "all of America’s wealth today could not adequately compensate its Negroes for his [sic] centuries of exploitation and humiliation." Anticipating the contemporary movement demanding "reparations" for slavery, he insisted that black Americans be given preferential economic treatment. Of course, this would provoke similar demands from "the disadvantaged of all races" — a prospect King welcomed: "I do not intend that this program of economic aid should apply only to the Negro.... We must develop a federal program of public works, retraining and jobs for all...."

Clearly, the Socialist Party USA identifies King as a kindred Socialist...

http://www.socialistparty-usa.org/literature/mlking-flyer.pdf

That is not to say that King did not bring attention to significant issues.

I am simply saying that his solution to those issues consistently involved expanding the role of the State.

 

[J_Wales]

There are a number of examples available, but these are just a few.

 

[Que]

King articulated himself.

In a September 1967 speech in Atlanta, King condemned capitalism as an inherently unjust economic system and declared that his movement was devoted to "restructuring the whole of American society." In Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?, a book published in that same year, King endorsed the time-honored socialist demand for a guaranteed minimum annual wage, which would be "pegged to the median income of society" and would "automatically increase as the total social income grows." In this particular example of literary "borrowing," King was merging his voice with that of Karl Marx, who coined the phrase "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need."

King also bared his socialist inclinations in a lengthy interview he granted to Playboy. In the magazine’s January 1965 issue, King moralized that "all of America’s wealth today could not adequately compensate its Negroes for his [sic] centuries of exploitation and humiliation." Anticipating the contemporary movement demanding "reparations" for slavery, he insisted that black Americans be given preferential economic treatment. Of course, this would provoke similar demands from "the disadvantaged of all races" — a prospect King welcomed: "I do not intend that this program of economic aid should apply only to the Negro.... We must develop a federal program of public works, retraining and jobs for all...."

Clearly, the Socialist Party USA identifies King as a kindred Socialist...

http://www.socialistparty-usa.org/literature/mlking-flyer.pdf

That is not to say that King did not bring attention to significant issues.

I am simply saying that his solution to those issues consistently involved expanding the role of the State.

When you place his statements in context, what was socialist about the parts I've place in bold? Now, who is the person whom you agree with that says Dr. King was "merging his voice with Karl Marx?"

I can care less about the number of statements you can pull from the internet. I asked YOU to articulate how Dr. King demonstrated a Marxist belief. I didn't ask how to find statements on the internet. I possess the ability to conduct research and can also use Google.

 

[Kutnupe14]

King articulated himself.

In a September 1967 speech in Atlanta, King condemned capitalism as an inherently unjust economic system and declared that his movement was devoted to "restructuring the whole of American society." In Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?, a book published in that same year, King endorsed the time-honored socialist demand for a guaranteed minimum annual wage, which would be "pegged to the median income of society" and would "automatically increase as the total social income grows." In this particular example of literary "borrowing," King was merging his voice with that of Karl Marx, who coined the phrase "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need."

King also bared his socialist inclinations in a lengthy interview he granted to Playboy. In the magazine’s January 1965 issue, King moralized that "all of America’s wealth today could not adequately compensate its Negroes for his [sic] centuries of exploitation and humiliation." Anticipating the contemporary movement demanding "reparations" for slavery, he insisted that black Americans be given preferential economic treatment. Of course, this would provoke similar demands from "the disadvantaged of all races" — a prospect King welcomed: "I do not intend that this program of economic aid should apply only to the Negro.... We must develop a federal program of public works, retraining and jobs for all...."

Clearly, the Socialist Party USA identifies King as a kindred Socialist...

http://www.socialistparty-usa.org/literature/mlking-flyer.pdf

That is not to say that King did not bring attention to significant issues.

I am simply saying that his solution to those issues consistently involved expanding the role of the State.

Uh, this doesnt qualify. Your taking words from another person and posting it as proof that MLK was a socialist. In my world, I want to hear it from the "Horse's Mouth," before making an opinion about them. If you don't have specific sources to qualify you statement, then you won't be swaying any opinions.

 

[Kutnupe14]

The amazing thing to me, is that so many members here talk about youth being dumb, uneducated, and lacking knowledge of history. It is absolutely baffling to me that something as basic as the contributions of MLK Jr are apparently unknown to many here.

Simply put, he mobilized millions of Americans to stand up to unjust laws... and that's the very condensed version.

American History 101, some really need to brush up.

 

[J_Wales]

When you place his statements in context, what was socialist about the parts I've place in bold? Now, who is the person whom you agree with that says Dr. King was "merging his voice with Karl Marx?"

I can care less about the number of statements you can pull from the internet. I asked YOU to articulate how Dr. King demonstrated a Marxist belief. I didn't ask how to find statements on the internet. I possess the ability to conduct research and can also use Google.

“restructuring the whole of American society."
“pegged to the median income of society"
"automatically increase as the total social income grows."


These phrases, to me at least, sound more like equalization of results than equalization of opportunity.

Can you see what I see in those?

Again, MLK brought attention to significant issues. But, that does not mean he was not a socialist.

 

[jsgolfman]

The speech was actually in August:

“Where Do We Go From Here?,” Delivered at the 11th Annual SCLC Convention

 

[armedindy]

“restructuring the whole of American society."
“pegged to the median income of society"
"automatically increase as the total social income grows."


These phrases, to me at least, sound more like equalization of results than equalization of opportunity.

Can you see what I see in those?

Again, MLK brought attention to significant issues. But, that does not mean he was not a socialist.

and just cause someone is a socialist doesnt mean they cant do something that i agree with and am willing to celebrate

 

[J_Wales]

Uh, this doesnt qualify. Your taking words from another person and posting it as proof that MLK was a socialist. In my world, I want to hear it from the "Horse's Mouth," before making an opinion about them. If you don't have specific sources to qualify you statement, then you won't be swaying any opinions.

From the Horse's Mouth:

"I am now convinced that the simplest approach will prove to be the most effective — the solution to poverty is to abolish it directly by a now widely discussed measure: the guaranteed income."
-MLK in his book "Where do we go From Here: Chaos or Community?"

 

[Kutnupe14]

“restructuring the whole of American society."
“pegged to the median income of society"

The Industrial Revolution, Civil War, The invention of the Automobile, Women's Suffrage, Prohibition, World War II, all "restructured the whole of American society."

"automatically increase as the total social income grows."

This is a fragment, social income grow as an economy gains wealth.


These phrases, to me at least, sound more like equalization of results than equalization of opportunity.

Can you see what I see in those?

Again, MLK brought attention to significant issues. But, that does not mean he was not a socialist.

Using single sentences, or fragments from them, never tells the whole story.

 

[J_Wales]

and just cause someone is a socialist doesnt mean they cant do something that i agree with and am willing to celebrate

Absolutely correct.

Helen Keller was also a socialist.

Albert Einstein was also a socialist.

Even Thomas Paine was also a socialist (see his writings after "Common Sense").

They have all done something that many agree with and celebrate.


I, for one, simply disagree with them in their socialist position and advocating an expanded role for the State.

 

[Kutnupe14]

From the Horse's Mouth:

"I am now convinced that the simplest approach will prove to be the most effective — the solution to poverty is to abolish it directly by a now widely discussed measure: the guaranteed income."
-MLK in his book "Where do we go From Here: Chaos or Community?"

That certainly could be a socialist ideal (depends on how it's enacted-which isn't addressed). I won't argue that. But does having a socialist thought make one a full blown Marxist? I disagree. If it does, those that support public schools, roads, libraries, public sector pensions, and about a million other things.... supported by millions of Americans, are just as equally socialist.