Courvoisier: Straight from the islands, I am a married lady living in the United States. I strive for knowledge, innovation and perfection in this world; though I’m keenly aware no one is perfect…not even me. I enjoy the simple and exquisite things in life. I believe every life has a purpose and I am eager to fulfill mine.
Besides being the best birth month ever, January is always the month of new beginnings. It is also the month that we celebrate a great man, Martin Luther King Jr. It seems like we celebrate it the same way every year…take that day off (if your company gets down like that) donate some of our personal items and use this time to remember one of our greatest leaders.
This year I stumbled on an article written years ago “The Martin Luther King You Don’t See on TV”, which compelled me to look into the subject some more. This article discusses the years of MLK’s life from 1965-68. There are so many points made in this article I could probably post for days.
I am simply going to touch on one point… "The Poor People's Campaign” created by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1965-66. It was a campaign designed to address the urban riots at the time and focused on black employment, housing and education opportunities. It is said that MLK believed that economic inequality was the reason that many of us African Americans were suffering. Essentially what he was proposing was a more democratic socialized society instead of one rooted in capitalism.
Was this somewhat communist ideal entertained? What happened to this glorious plan that few people know about? Well, MLK was assassinated April 4 1968 and Rev. Ralph Abernathy took leadership of the SCLC. On May 12, 1968 he led the campaign’s effort to lobby the Economic Bill of Rights which was intended to decrease the poverty levels of all races. The campaign was not considered as successful as the movement had dreamed...
So now that we know even MLK acknowledged that it is more than a black/white issue but economic inequality, what's next people? How do we strengthen our economic power in this capitalistic society to which we have been integrated?
There are so many ways and I plan to work on strengthening our community by supporting more black owned businesses in ’08. All I ask is that we step up to the plate, open up our wallets and support our community.
Courvoisier
P.S. Happy B-day MLK!
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4 comments:
Say whaaat? MLK did more than march and boycott buses?! My teacher never mentioned this during those four fun black facts filled weeks in February!
But isn't it always about the money?(cue Wu Tang)
A po' white sharecropper would be quick to call a black one a n*gg- to make himself feel better. But just as soon as he needed food he'd be knocking on the black sharecropper's door. Because Po' White knew he was in the same economic boat as the black man, and the white uptown Joneses would turn their backs on him so fast.
And now, with all my knowledge and desire to help my community, sometimes I feel like I have more values in common with white suburbanites than some of my folks in the hood. And I know I have to keep resisting the temptation to turn my back and throw up my hands.
'Tis interesting what money can divide and lack of money can unite.
I don't think I could have said anything better on this day. Thanks for your post girl!
good post Courvoisier! Do you really want to unleash the consipracy theorist out of me. MLK got shot for this rhetoric. If you scour the history books most leaders are assasinated for trying to flip the world order. . . Those of you that cry out Black hisotry emphatically-- did you know this? Do you share this with the youth? Do you even know your black history? Take this knowledge and retrace your steps so you can connect the dots.
Courvoisier- thanks for the brain food girl! Yes we must invest, invest, invest in OUR community.And I must agree with Bellini about the reason most world leaders were assasinated.
The documentary 'Eyes On the Prize' has a segment that discusses the Poor People's Campaign (PPC). My mom made me watch the entire docu back in elementary school. She told me they would never cover such material in my school.
Also my uncle participated in a demonstration in DC with the PPC in the 60's. I found an old button of his one day and asked him where it came from. That sparked a deep convo about his generation's dedication to social change and our generation's not giving a damn...
I think that economic disparity, which tends to run along colour lines, may well be the issue that tears America apart, eventually.
I was aware of Dr. King's thoughts regarding economic disparity, but not at all surprised that many people still aren't.
For what it's worth, I think that making his birthday a national holiday went a long way toward trivialsing his works and his ideals. That's too bad.
Great post.
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