Here it is on MLK Jr day and I wanted to write an entry that both honored his legacy, and clarified my statements made previously.
First for the latter. My entry was an intentional, calculated move to gain readership. Call me a sellout, but I realize that controversy is the food of blogs. I have no hatred toward the African American communiy, or any community. So, my last entry on this subject was extreme on purpose. My subject line was a calculated move -”MLK Days is not My Holiday” knowing that that would incite comments. But as are many extreme comments, it was a caricature of who I am. The post highlighted and exaggerated what are truthfully small opinions and repressed balancing opinions. Please view it as such and respond appropriately. It’s all, quite frankly, to gain readers. ;)
That said, I would love to celebrate MLK’s humanitarian efforts. There are some great historical documents from The Federalist, particularly the I Have a Dream speech and a letter written by MLK from the Birmingham City Jail. The second one is particularly wonderful and a great reflection of MLK.
But at the same time as people like Carol, Aries and Kim proclaim that MLK Jr day is for all people, Entansila’s family tells her:
And to top it all off, being told by the darker members of my extended family that I am not worthy to even consider celebrating what MLK did for black people, because my skin isn’t black enough.
So here I am, as a white man, saying, “Hey MLK was a great man and some black folks recognize his actions as for all races, but there are plenty of people ruining that sentiment.” And as a white man, I stand back and say, “Okay, you want your holiday, have your holiday. When you want me to join in on the festivities, let me know”.
But indeed, he has changed our political and social landscape forever. And I’m glad. Hopefully one day, we will all live to his standards - to live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
{ 16 comments }
Joshua Claybourn 01.17.05 at 1:44 pm
But both the “I Have a Dream” speech and his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” were plagiarized, so I think it’s inaccurate to call them “his.” I suppose he was a “great man” for his courage, but certainly not for his personal life, which I’ll refrain from addressing.
Joshua Claybourn 01.17.05 at 2:44 pm
But both the “I Have a Dream” speech and his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” were plagiarized, so I think it’s inaccurate to call them “his.” I suppose he was a “great man” for his courage, but certainly not for his personal life, which I’ll refrain from addressing.
Anthony 01.17.05 at 7:44 pm
Sorry, Trent’s comment was way over the line, so it is completely understandable as to why he had to give up his position.
As a Democrat, not necessarily a leftist, I’m ashamed at the actions with some of the black Democrats who currently hold office. Much like with Trent Lott, if we are going to uphold the same standards of our elected officials across the line, the Democrats need to take some cupibility for what they have done recently with Mr. Steele.
Aaron Brazell 01.17.05 at 7:53 pm
Well take offense, then, Maureen. If you read what I wrote instead of assuming I’m comparing Hispanics to terrorists might save you a little heartache.
Aaron Brazell 01.17.05 at 7:59 pm
Joshua,
Thank you for inviting me not to respond to comments on my own blog. Very considerate of you. I am neither a fan of Novak or not a fan of Novak. Take it or leave it. You’re obviously more intent on pigeon holing me and my stance than you are about anything else. Welcome to Technosailor. You don’t own the joint.
Carol 01.18.05 at 8:49 am
But they were more radical than they needed to be.
Exactly why the entry felt hollow.
girlwonder 01.18.05 at 9:30 am
“My entry was an intentional, calculated move to gain readership. Call me a sellout, but I realize that controversy is the food of blogs.”
This only negates anything positive you could have possibly had to say. Yes, you got what you wanted - but at what cost to the way people view you?
Carol 01.18.05 at 9:49 am
But they were more radical than they needed to be.
Exactly why the entry felt hollow.
Sean M. Crawford Sr 01.18.05 at 9:54 am
Dude don’t sweat it I got your back.
It is a shme that anyone who visited your site and read both MLK entries didn’t really read what you wrote. Because if they did they would understand it was not just readship you were shooting for but to also start what could have been another one of those good chnaces to better understand the relationships of the races.
Like I wrote in the previous MLK entry I was not offended at all. As far as readership goes I have visited som of the same bloggers who write about way less intersting stuff that what you wrote.
And the sad part is they have the option to not say a word if they were that offended. Call it lack of understanding or wanting to understand.
No matter what “The Angry Black Man” has got your back and if they want to send the comments my way I will be more than happy to introduce them to the good ole’ diatribe ;-)
girlwonder 01.18.05 at 10:30 am
“My entry was an intentional, calculated move to gain readership. Call me a sellout, but I realize that controversy is the food of blogs.”
This only negates anything positive you could have possibly had to say. Yes, you got what you wanted - but at what cost to the way people view you?
Paulie C 01.18.05 at 10:43 am
Well I don’t really even see what was all that controversial about it…Perhaps thats because I, to a certain extent, agree with some of the questions that you ask.
Such as “why don’t we have a 9/11 holiday?” Or “why isn’t Veterans day more celebrated?”
I think these are real and valid questions that should be answered…Not terribly important questions perhaps (I’m sure it just seems like I want/need another day or two off), but certainly not questions that detract from the legacy of MLK Jr.
To imply as much is ludicrous, and the people responding with such sentiments don’t seem to understand the context the comments were made, and, in my opinion, were responding in a beat-their-chest-in-defiance sort of way, just for the sake of doing it.
And Carol, if anyone is coming across as “talking just to hear themselves talk,” its you.
Sean M. Crawford Sr 01.18.05 at 10:54 am
Dude don’t sweat it I got your back.
It is a shme that anyone who visited your site and read both MLK entries didn’t really read what you wrote. Because if they did they would understand it was not just readship you were shooting for but to also start what could have been another one of those good chnaces to better understand the relationships of the races.
Like I wrote in the previous MLK entry I was not offended at all. As far as readership goes I have visited som of the same bloggers who write about way less intersting stuff that what you wrote.
And the sad part is they have the option to not say a word if they were that offended. Call it lack of understanding or wanting to understand.
No matter what “The Angry Black Man” has got your back and if they want to send the comments my way I will be more than happy to introduce them to the good ole’ diatribe ;-)
Paulie C 01.18.05 at 11:43 am
Well I don’t really even see what was all that controversial about it…Perhaps thats because I, to a certain extent, agree with some of the questions that you ask.
Such as “why don’t we have a 9/11 holiday?” Or “why isn’t Veterans day more celebrated?”
I think these are real and valid questions that should be answered…Not terribly important questions perhaps (I’m sure it just seems like I want/need another day or two off), but certainly not questions that detract from the legacy of MLK Jr.
To imply as much is ludicrous, and the people responding with such sentiments don’t seem to understand the context the comments were made, and, in my opinion, were responding in a beat-their-chest-in-defiance sort of way, just for the sake of doing it.
And Carol, if anyone is coming across as “talking just to hear themselves talk,” its you.
Aaron Brazell 11.07.05 at 11:05 am
Well take offense, then, Maureen. If you read what I wrote instead of assuming I’m comparing Hispanics to terrorists might save you a little heartache.
Anthony 11.08.05 at 7:36 am
Sorry, Trent’s comment was way over the line, so it is completely understandable as to why he had to give up his position.
As a Democrat, not necessarily a leftist, I’m ashamed at the actions with some of the black Democrats who currently hold office. Much like with Trent Lott, if we are going to uphold the same standards of our elected officials across the line, the Democrats need to take some cupibility for what they have done recently with Mr. Steele.
Aaron Brazell 11.08.05 at 10:46 pm
Joshua,
Thank you for inviting me not to respond to comments on my own blog. Very considerate of you. I am neither a fan of Novak or not a fan of Novak. Take it or leave it. You’re obviously more intent on pigeon holing me and my stance than you are about anything else. Welcome to Technosailor. You don’t own the joint.
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