aaron mcgruder
african americans
boondocks
civil rights
civil rights leader
dr martin luther king jr
opinion
progress
what if
If Dr. Martin Luther King were still alive, how would he feel?
By drknlvly6781
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
United States
January 16, 2009 5:34pm CST
Monday, January 19th, the US will celebrate a great leader that has passed from our presence. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As if we don't already know, he was a great Civil Rights Leader in the 60's that fought for equal rights for African-Americans. Its scary to contemplate where this nation would be if he wasn't one of the driving forces behind the movement.
However, what have African-Americans as a whole done to honor his efforts? Have we done enough, or are we falling short. A great cartoon by a man named Aaron McGruder, called "The Boondocks", takes a satirical, yet enlightening look at this possibility, what if Martin Luther King were still alive? What would he have to say about the state of the African-American community in the United States if he were still around? Here is a great clip from you tube from that show, that takes a great look at that episode. *WARNING! ADULT CONTENT! ADULT LANGUAGE! DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU!!!*:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gZL9hCncMM
As his birthday approaches, and seeing this episode again, it makes me wonder, what would Dr. King say if he were still alive today? Would he be happy with the progress we made thanks to him? Or would he be disappointed in the troubles that we have caused for ourselves. Would he feel vindicated that we finally have an African American President? Or would he feel that it took too long, or that it isn't enough? What are your thoughts MyLot? What would Dr. King Say if he were still around today?
P.S. Here are the links to that full episode if you want to see it.
Part 1:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC1Fi6WC0p4
Part 2:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7YtQBznlUA
Part 3:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkobjj-uPSw
8 people like this
10 responses
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
16 Jan 09
Disappointed why? I would love to get your opinion on this. Also, if anyone sees this, could you label this discussion Mature Content? I forgot that tag.
2 people like this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
17 Jan 09
That is very true. I see that you are new here, and allow me to extend a tip for responding to discussions here. Its best for you if you respond with at least four lines of text to each discussion. That earns you at least a whole cent for your effort. I hope that you enjoy your time here at MyLot, and thanks for taking the time to respond to my discussion!
2 people like this
@taripres (1499)
• United States
17 Jan 09
I'm not sure how he'd feel! I just know that his kids and a few other civil rights leaders are feeling great and down at the same time at the efforts put forth! A lot of work they put in to get where we are today, I'm sure they're proud of; but the conditions and the fact that it's still subtle racism and prejudice by others and amongst ourselves is a bit discouraging for all of us!
I c it as we couldn't stay down for long, people or humans were not created to be treated in such a manner, it's sin and all that goes with it that make humans this way! It's a given we all eventually persevere, it's a matter of the strongest mentally, and as a combined unit! So I think that he would have had no choice but to adapt, and probably wouldv thrown his arms in the air and said, "WHATEVER"
Taripre$
Taripre$@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
17 Jan 09
But you see, if Dr. King was one to adapt, we wouldn't have gotten as far as we did. He would have thrown his hands up in the air long before there was a revolution. There would have been no marches, or they may have gone a bit different with him not around. We are where we are today in large part to Dr. King being fed up instead of "adapting", and he did something about it.
This is a funny thing about MyLot, you start a discussion not really knowing where you stand, and in your responses you form or actually realize your true opinion lol! I didn't know where I really stood on this question, but after responding to so many people about this one particular aspect I realize I truly believe that if Dr. King were around all these years until now, things wouldn't be where they are. They still wouldn't be perfect, we all know that, but we would be a helluva lot closer to his dream, nom sayin lmao?
1 person likes this
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
17 Jan 09
I want to thank you for your lovely mylot discussion. I plan on checking out that cartoon! I think that he would be very happy. I also believe that he would not be upset about the way the united states is acting, becouse he would have also seen everything that has came upon the people. But I do however want to add the other well intended thought. He would have not had to act like that since it would be totally different. The African-American community would have more than likely been in a bit better place. Only for the simplest fact in my own eyes; is that we would not have been as scared and chained of these fears because we would not have had to see or know of him being assassinated. I am very thankful to him for taking a stand in what he believed in at all costs. That he made a CHANGE in history. Just look at that. It is truly Amazing!
God bless you Dr Martin Luther King.
2 people like this
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
17 Jan 09
I am betting that it would not be quite as it is today. I see a strong reason behind this belief being that we all would see him. And answer to him if you will as to why so many dont invest everything Dr King did for us. I didnt even think of the butterfly effect on this. But it fits perfectly. And that only brings me to the similarities that could be applied, that it was supposed to happed just as it did. Even thow I wish it could have been different how his life unfolded, being that I wish he could have grown old, saw his children grow up, saw the beautiful changes he made.
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
17 Jan 09
Yes, I feel that many would be different to him if he would have lived, simply because they wouldn't be able to answer to his face why they do the things they do today. But really this is a sad thought, because if these violent individuals couldn't give a good reason to Dr. King's face why they do what they do, then why do it at all? Why not honor his memory in the same fashion? *Sigh* Dunno what is wrong with some people today.
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
16 Jan 09
I was one who liked to watch Martin Luther King. I think that he would have mixed feelings about what is going on today. He would be happy that a African-American is the president of the United States. But there is still a long way to go. It is a proud day that this has happened. He was the best pick out of the candidates and the people saw this.
2 people like this
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
17 Jan 09
And the simplest fact is also that its a white couple on the pic. That would not have been seen in the days he was fighting so good to get out of.
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
17 Jan 09
You are so right. Even with all the "what ifs" we can come up with, one thing most people do know is that we are better off with him having lived at a time.
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
16 Jan 09
Whoa, I would have loved to be along side you seeing the man in action. Me being so young, all I have are history lessons to go on. I agree with you though, we have come a very long way, but still have a very long way to go to achieve Dr. King's dream fully.
Also, I agree with your statement of Obama being the best pick from the bunch. A lot of people go around today stating that black people voted for him because he was black. That is a bunch of mess, and any black person that did that should be shot! I voted for him because he was black and QUALIFIED!!! If Bobby Brown or Flava Flav was running, he wouldn't have gotten my vote.
2 people like this
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
17 Jan 09
Thanks for an excellent post. Whenever I think of Dr. King it takes me back to the first time I heard his name. It's very easy for me to remember that day because it was the day I heard the news that he had been shot. I had to ask my mother who he was. The significance of it was lost on me as a child of 11 years old.
Over the years I've thought on it and why I had not heard of him before this time. Maybe the fact I was 11 and more prone to play than take notice of such things. You could say it was because I was a white child who attended all white schools and had little exposure to black culture.
It certainly wasn't for being kept separate from black people. All the while I was growing up we had a black housekeeper. I don't mean this as a derogatory remark, but just the fact of how I grew up. My mom was a rare thing back in the 1960s-a successful single mother. I can't recall any talking about King or any issues of the black community. Whether it was because they didn't feel it proper or something to be kept private, I don't know. It certainly shows how much we have changed as a society and the distance we still need to go.
2 people like this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
19 Jan 09
This is what I was trying to explain to green eagle below. Killing other members of our own species may have been something that was in the genes, a habit passed down through many generations, but you have to think that evolution plays some role in all this. We have evolved a long ways from just acting on instinct. Now what we do is recently learned behavior, recent being in past generations as opposed to evolution as a whole. We have to stop teaching our children that violence solves problems.
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
17 Jan 09
It's funny, how important pieces of history go on around us, but we take little notice because of our age. I wouldn't attribute being unaware to your skin color or the schools that you went to, like you said, you weren't interested in things like that, you were 11. And I don't take offense to you having a Black Housekeeper either. Those were the jobs that we were the most populous in, so if you had a housekeeper at the time, more than likely they were black. No sense in apologizing for the time that you grew up in.
But you are right about how much we have changed. But there is also the factor of how much we have secretly remained the same as well. Obama being elected this year brought out a lot of racism that had been hidden for quite some time. I never thought I would see it, but there were even attempts on Obama's life BEFORE he even won. I think it's a good thing that it happened though. Now we see exactly where we stand, and how far we have to go.
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
17 Jan 09
You know, I'm not sorry for the experiences I had as a child. There were those who thought I was spoiled as none of my friends had housekeepers. Other than the attention from the housekeepers I was pretty much neglected. I certainly can't be too snobby as my birth mother was one of the many housekeepers my mother adopted me from.
The more it changes the more it stays the same. My heart sank when the news reported on the young black man being killed in the subway and again when the son was shot in front of his mother. The two incidents were only days from each other. People are not born this way, they are taught and such is the shame.
1 person likes this
@shamsta19 (3224)
• United States
17 Jan 09
As funny as the episode of The Boondocks was I think it was so on point!!! Dr. King probably would've felt as such. He probably wouldn't have used these words. I watched this episode like ten times already so I didn't even have to see what you were talking about before posting this. I am wondering when the show is coming back on?
I see a lot of accomplishments have been made since 1968. A lot of what was being addressed in this episode was the problems we are having as a race and amongst ourselves. I am sometimes appalled at the ignorance we personify at times but I also identify the roots of a lot these issues. We are too caught up in material things and have lost our souls!
As far as the issue of having an African American President, you know it was bound to happen. It was bound to have opposition but it is here. We still have more boundaries to overcome but this is a great day in history as far as how far we have come as a nation. But there are "Black" men in power all over the world, and in that sense America is late.
I respect what you are bringing to light right here though great post!
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
18 Jan 09
And, I have to add, all the mess that our people put in their mouths that isn't worth a fraction of what it cost once they put it in there!
1 person likes this
@shamsta19 (3224)
• United States
18 Jan 09
Thank you! It's not that I am knocking these things but we place entirely too much value on them. What is really important to value (good morals, family, uplifting ourselves) is forgotten and we are killing each other for valueless material objects! We have forgotten everything Dr King stood for and fought for.
I had to add I think Dr. King would be particularly proud to see Obama get inaugurated as our new President. We still have a long way to go, and we have a lot of healing to tend to amongst ourselves.
1 person likes this
@shamsta19 (3224)
• United States
17 Jan 09
Maybe it will do something for the overall psyche of our people. Maybe it won't. A lot of the problems we have right now are due to lack of educational values, and the influence of living in a competitive consumer market. We have just place value on the wrong things. It doesn't help when our role models lead us down the same path. What has become acceptable in the Black community are the same things that are causing us so much grief. I really don't want to go into it here but I am proud to see Obama in office. Maybe it will give us all something more to strive for than spinning rims and diamonds!
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
22 Jan 09
Personally with Obama becoming President and the Celebration of Martin Luther Kings birthday and such a lot of thinking and talking about this very matter has transpired for many people. I often think back to everything, and really wonder if he and and the Kennedys would not have been murdered when they were, how different would the world be today? Honestly I have seen a lot of changes, but I still see a lot that can be changed as well. There is still to much prejudism in this world, and greed, and somehow I hope with Obama now being President more people can learn to open up their eyes as well.
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
22 Jan 09
Yes, Obama running alone opened a lot of eyes. We started to see the deep-seeded hatred that some people still held for the Afro-American race. But I think these things coming out were actually a good thing. It showed us as a whole how far we actually have to go, and hopefully Obama being President will show those who are still racist that their pre-conceived notions are wrong.
@celticeagle (166911)
• Boise, Idaho
17 Jan 09
He will feel discusted and hurt. Perhaps things would be different if he were still alive. I think he would be excited and happy at the Afrian American President. Perhaps he would feel promise.
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
17 Jan 09
Hello Celtic Eagle! I agree with you. Whatever feelings that Dr. King would have for the people of today, it would be mixed. There are many obstacles we have overcome since his departure, but at the same time, we have let a lot of unnecessary things hold us back as well. He would be bursting with pride about the African-American President, but would he feel some remorse that it took so long to happen? And yes, whatever feelings he had, among them would be promise. As bleak the outlook of the African-American community has, there is still hope, we all aren't bad, and the good aren't all corrupted. There is still work to be done, and thankfully there are still people willing to do it.
@redhotpogo (4401)
• United States
17 Jan 09
Martin Luther aka Marty ( we're like this ) yeah, anyway. He would be a little happy. You gotta be a little happy. Look the party (democrat) of slavery and segregation just put a black man into the office of commander and chief of the united states. But also he would be very upset. See from what I have read about him, and learned about him in school as a child was that he was the only real civil rights leader. Civil rights leader for everyone. He wanted equality. Not blacks over whites, but equality. He wanted blacks to have a fair chance at life. Not anyone to feel sorry, and punish people for things that have nothing to do with them. Obama got voted in just based on the fact that he was black. Many people who voted, didn't know anything about him. They just voted because he was black. That's not a step forward, that's a step backward. Just a different color. And I think he would be very upset with his so called fellow civil rights followers like Jessie Jackson. He brings real shame to the movement with his clearly racist actions. I'm going to get hell for this post I'm sure, but that's just how it is. The world lost a really great person. He would have made a great president.
2 people like this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
17 Jan 09
Hello Pogo! Thanks for responding to my discussion. Let me be the first to say that if you catch hell for this post, it won't be from me. I agree with a lot of what you said, and you've made many valid points, but I have to disagree with this part right here:
Obama got voted in just based on the fact that he was black. Many people who voted, didn't know anything about him. They just voted because he was black.
I think this is kinda a gross generalization of the people that voted for Obama. Yes, there were many that voted for the man simply because he is black; but if you were to take a poll today of voters, you would find that many voted for him because of his campaign, many voted because he thought to reach out to them through the internet, and still many voted for him just because of his ideals. To say he got in simply because he is black is wrong. Obama got in because he spoke to the most voters! This is how most Presidents get in (don't look at me, not pointing to any cheaters today lol)
Furthermore, you have to remember that he isn't the first black man to run for President. He isn't even the first to win the Democratic Nomination. Working in reverse order, both Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton both ran for president but never got past the primaries, and before that, Fredrick Douglass was nominated for the Republican Party in his time (remember that the Republican Party then is known as the Democratic Party today)
But I am glad that neither Rev. Jackson nor Sharpton got elected. If I were old enough then they wouldn't have gotten my vote either. You have to admit that it had to be more than just Obama being black.
1 person likes this
@dlyrical (6)
• United States
17 Jan 09
I have to agree with you pogo on the part where you said most people voted for Obama because he was black. Many people that I have talked to mainly females said they voted for him because they want to be apart of history blah blah blah and all that other stuff. Like you said many people didn't know who he was. Hell I know I didn't so I would have to agree with you on this one.
2 people like this
@NMyricks (10)
• United States
17 Jan 09
i don't think he would be happy with the african-americans...with me being in the black desent i would say that he would be very very dissapointed...with the black on black crime exspecially...and i say that to say this...do you really think he would like to see all the black young men that is in with the blood and crips thing...i know i hate to see it...he didn't fight for us to be out here actin like straight fools..that just gives the white man something to talk about...and i need to start taking my own advice because i get sickened in my belly every year when this month comes around just to see that almost all year i been altercating and fighting wih females of my own color and to have this day roll around and to think about what he did for me makes my heart ache...
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
18 Jan 09
That is so true. We speak of change, but many of us neglect that change starts at home. I know Dr. King would be disappointed with gangs and gang violence, but he also would be disappointed at the few of us that talk about "The Man" or "The White Man". To lump them all in one accord is no better than what racist white people think of us. Dr. King preached equality, and making racist comments towards white people is no worse. What we need to do is take that sick feeling that you described and do something about it, rather than just feel it. I'll say it again, change starts within us.
