How Would Trump Supporters Embrace 2018 MLK?
By: Kayla Pasacreta
Every year on third Monday of January, the country takes the day to honor the historic, powerful, historical figure that is Martin Luther King Jr. Somehow, in honoring the strides Dr. King made for equality and the Civil Right's movement, it's easy for people to forget the controversial man Dr. King really was and make efforts to whitewash his legacy. History often remembers his "I have a Dream" speech while forgetting the powerful words of resistance he wrote in his letter from a Birmingham jail:
“First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Council-er or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a “more convenient season.””
Though this letter was written on April 12, 1963, the words still painfully ring true. As you scroll through your Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook timelines today, you probably see Martin Luther King Jr. quotes and pictures posted by damn near everyone. Heck, even the Trump's say they honor Martin Luther King Jr.
If you're anything like me, you probably made the meanest eye roll reading this tweet, because HOW SWAY? 2018 Martin Luther King Jr. would be kneeling with Colin Kaepernick, condemning Trump's 'shithole countries' remark, fighting for DACA protections, supporting John Lewis' boycott of Trump's State of the Union address, and paying attention to the voices of the unheard. If MLK was still alive today, he would be the constant subject of ridicule for folks like Tomi Lahren and Fox News.
Stop whitewashing Martin.
Dr. King would be ALL about the resistance movement.
Dr. King being harassed by hecklers in Chicago, photo via Getty Images
Dr. King would be imploring Democratic lawmakers to remember to fight for the many black and brown people who put them in office.
edit via TheGrio
Dr. King would be asking for more from people who insist they "don't like to get involved in politics". He would respond, "I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Councilor or the Ku Klux Planner, but the white moderate."
Trump supporters and Trump apologists, please keep Mr. King's name out of your mouth. He wouldn't f**k with you, and most importantly, he would be here calling you out on your complicit bulls**t.
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" - Martin Luther King Jr.
