A black bourgeoisie perspective on U.S. politics
Donna Brazile tweeted this quote earlier today:
“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” Dr Martin Luther King, Jr
Ok, well, we’re doing the best we can here at JJP. This quote sounds a little Tiger Mom and unachievable. I mean, a lot of us have jobs. Jobs that may not appear on the surface to be much concerned directly with uplifting humanity, but more with payin’ them bills and surviving. Yet I think what MLK was trying to say was essentially: find ways to inspire and uplift those around you in your life where you can, give it your very best shot and make it sacred.
CNN did this poll on whether or not MLK’s dream has been achieved in this country. Here’s the skinny:
Forty-eight percent of people questioned say that King’s dream has been fulfilled, with 49 percent saying it has not become reality. Breaking it down further, of the 49 percent who say the dream has not be fulfilled, the poll indicates that 26 percent say King’s vision will eventually occur, with 23 percent saying that King’s goal will never be accomplished.
“In 2008, before Barack Obama was elected president, only a third of the country felt that the goals in the “I Have a Dream Speech” had been achieved. After Obama was elected that shot up to 49 percent and has remained at that level ever since,” says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.
I’m in the latter camp of folks who think we haven’t yet achieved the dream but I do believe we’re closer than ever before. I’m hopeful. Here are some recent happenings that give me hope this Martin Luther King Day:
On this 25th anniversary of the MLK Holiday, I think all these events would encourage Martin Luther King. It ain’t a perfect world. Not just yet. But all labor, no matter how small, that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance. I hope you will take a little time today to reflect on MLK’s legacy and example. And then take a little time to do something, even if it’s a small thing, that would make him proud today. Above is one of my favorite speeches and one of King’s most controversial — “Why I am opposed to the war in Vietnam.”
Cheryl Contee aka "Jill Tubman", Baratunde Thurston aka "Jack Turner", rikyrah, Leutisha Stills aka "The Christian Progressive Liberal", B-Serious, Casey Gane-McCalla, Jonathan Pitts-Wiley aka "Marcus Toussaint," Fredric Mitchell
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