Today we honor a great American, Martin Luther King, Jr., who eloquently conveyed the concept of an America whose citizens were decent, non-violent, and color-blind. Forty two years after his tragic murder, we are no closer to achieving those goals than we were during the Civil Rights movement. Yes, we have lots of laws that prevent overt discrimination, however, racism and racial inequality continue to plague our nation and prevent us from becoming a truly democratic society.
I do not agree with every concept held by Dr. King (e.g. I don’t believe that black Americans should be compensated financially for historical wrongs), however, I do strongly agree with his position on the Vietnam War, non-violent protest, and racial equality.
It is fact that, unfortunately, many Americans are not of this mind. It is fact, that, many Americans are uncomfortable with a black American president. They may say, and may believe, that they are not prejudiced, and however, by continuing to insist that President Barack Obama is not a natural born American presents their hand and their true opinions.
The State of Hawaii has put a copy of President Obama’s Certificate of Live Birth on line for viewing. Copies of both Honolulu newspapers carried the announcement of Barack Obama’s birth. The obstetrician who delivered Barack Obama made comment of it to his friend (a teacher at the Honolulu prep school that Barack Obama attended) over dinner, who remembers this because Barack’s father was the first black student to attend the University of Hawaii. For those whom this is not evidence enough that Barack Obama is an American citizen by birth, then I dare say they also believe that the sun revolves around the earth and that babies come from storks that drop them down the chimney.
And here’s to Martin Luther King, Jr., who made our country a better place. And a prayer that more people like him will stand up and be counted.
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