Make every day a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Although Martin Luther King, Jr. is remembered in one way or the other - every day of every year - in the U.S. and beyond, the U.S. pauses officially once a year to honor this great American. On 2 November 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed into law a bill creating a national holiday - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - a day dedicated to remember Dr. King and what he stood for. [Source].

This year, 2012, Martin Luther King Day is on Monday, 16 January. It is worthy to note at this point that Martin Luther King Day has no fixed date. It is observed every year - since 1986 - on the third Monday of January. [Source].

A lot has been written about Dr. King. He was a civil rights icon who led a non-violent movement against racial segregation and discrimination in the U.S. He advocated equality and non-violent protest in the face of unprecedented discrimination, disenfranchisement, brutality and other forms of injustice targeting Americans of African descent.

This great American is best known for his "I Have A Dream" speech - a compelling speech delivered in August 1963 to a crowd of a quarter of a million people at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.



I do not keep copies of speeches, but I must confess - a copy of this landmark speech is in one of my files. I printed it out sometime in 2007 and carefully read it. It made sense then as it makes sense today.

Dr. King was assassinated in 1968, but his words live on and continue to inspire hope for a world void of racial segregation and discrimination.

In many parts of the world, individuals are still being "judged by the color of their skin."

I am confident that if Dr. King were alive today, he would agree that although some progress has been made in the fight against racial discrimination, "traces of bigotry still mar America" and many other countries. There is still a lot of work to be done.

He would unequivocally condemn all human rights violations, including the death penalty - which, according to Laura Moye, Death Penalty Abolition Campaign Director at Amnesty International USA, is "discriminatory and used disproportionately against the poor, minorities and members of racial, ethnic and religious communities."

You are encouraged to stand up for human rights. Promote and respect the rights of all individuals, irrespective of race, color or other grounds, and make every day a Martin Luther King Day.

*Photo: Write Spirit.

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Tea Party Racism: What would Martin Luther King say?

You've probably heard about the so-called Tea Party Movement in the U.S., haven't you? I'm not very familiar with the movement, but I see it as a right-wing blatantly racist political movement. The debate surrounding the health care reform bill (which is now law) in the U.S. has been highly polarized, uncivil and disturbingly racist - especially in Tea Parties. Recent Tea Party demonstrations are a grim reminder of the civil unrest that accompanied the Civil Rights Movement in 1960. As I watch Tea Party demonstrations all across America, I can't help but wonder - what would Martin Luther King say? How would Dr. King address Tea Party racism in the U.S., 50 years after the Civil Rights Movement?

On Saturday, March 20, according to the Associate Press, Tea Party demonstrators shouted "nigger" at civil rights hero and congressman - John Lewis. When I heard the news, I was taken aback because the racist chants were directed at a man who was nearly beaten to death in the 60s because of the color of his skin. Asked about the incident, Lewis said, "... it's okay. I've faced this before. It reminded me of the 60s..."

On that fateful day, other lawmakers were also harassed, including Emanuel Cleaver, who was spat upon by the Tea Party protesters. He said he clearly heard chants of the word "nigger" echoing from the crowd. The crowd did not stop short of uttering homophobic slurs. Barney Frank - an openly gay congressman was called "homo" and "faggot" by the angry crowd.

Another civil rights leader - James Clyburn, in response to a question from Huffington Post said, "...I heard people saying things that I've not heard since March 15, 1960 when I was marching to try and get off the back of the bus."


The aforementioned incident was quite disturbing, but luckily, this time around, the racist taunting was not backed by policemen and wild dogs.

During Tea Party demonstrations, protesters carry blatantly divisive and somewhat racist signs that read:

• "Racists Here!"
• "Impeach the Kenyan"
• "Obama Nomics: Monkey See, Monkey Spend!"
• "The Zoo has an African and the White House has a Lyin' African
• The American Tax Payers are the Jews for Obama's Ovens
• Speak for yourself Obama - We are a Christian Nation
• Congress = Slave Owner. Tax Payer = Niggar
• Save White America!
• Wake up America; You Muslim President! Bowed to his Muslim King!!
• We Need A Christian President
• Impeach Osama Obama Aka Hussein

The racist and hate-mongering list goes on!

While I was watching some of the demonstrations, a photo depicting President Barack Obama hanging from a noose was particularly disturbing; not forgetting a photo depicting the President as an African witch doctor. The truth is - Tea Party protesters make no secret of their racist views.

You've heard what civil rights icon - John Lewis and other Congressmen had to say about a recent Tea Party demonstration. Now, if you were having a conversation on this subject with Martin Luther King - what do you think he would say?

The resistance and disrespect President Obama has to endure in America today is clearly not because of the content of his character. It is because he is different from the many [presidents] who came before him - Obama is black and answers a Muslim name. Consequently, he is regarded as "unqualified" and a potential "threat." Believe it or not!

I don't remember the last time a U.S. President was treated with so much contempt by fellow Americans - even the very unpopular George W. Bush failed to spark such hatred and disgust.

When was the last time a U.S president was dreaded at home and loved abroad? Can you remember?

Many Americans are yet to come to terms with having an African-American in the White House. Regardless, there's no denying - CHANGE has come to America.

In my opinion, irrespective of what happens in Tea Parties nowadays, Dr. King would be impressed by the progress America has made so far - we have an African-American with a Muslim name, in the White House.

Dr. King saw worst times in America, hence, like John Lewis, he won't dwell too much on Tea Party racism and disrespect directed at Congressmen and America's first black President. There are more important things to worry about - the economy, wars and armed conflicts, nuclear weapons, Guantanamo, climate change, you name it.

Here is what Dr. King would say - Mr. President, Tea Party demonstrations are simply a distraction! Focus on what really matters. I'm glad the formal health care debate is over. This is truly what change looks like! What's next, Mr. President?

However, I must add that Dr. King would be appalled by the fact that many Americans are yet to master the "art" of engaging in civil and constructive dialogue.

What do you think? What would Martin Luther King say?

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Sweden: "White Power" Groups on the Increase

"... the lie of their inferiority is accepted as truth in the society dominating them."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

I never thought we'll be having this conversation in 2009 (almost 2010). Are we moving forward or are we moving backwards?

Many societies have experienced a decline in the number of "white power" groups. However, these groups are on the increase in SWEDEN.

According to Expo Foundation (a foundation which aims to map right-wing extremist and racist trends in Sweden), "white power" groups in Sweden have stepped up their activities over the past year.

Earlier this month, an annual report presented by the Expo Foundation found that 39 "white power" groups were active in Sweden in 2008, with 25 of them having been created in 2007 or 2008. The report reveals that 1,946 actions were carried out by racist "white power" organizations in 2008. The Local, a Swedish news agency reported that the figures represent an increase of roughly 800 of such groups over the previous year.

In the words of one of the authors of the Expo report, Kenny Hjalte, "this is a movement which saw an increase in activity in 2008."

The report listed the leading groups operating in Sweden. These groups include, Info 14, the Swedish Resistance Movement, the Nordic Union and the National Socialist Front, just to name a few.

An increase in the number of "white power" groups in Sweden or anywhere in the world is of interest to me because these racist groups seek to challenge the core of my belief that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. This is a belief enshrined in the greatest document of all time - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The "white power" groups (or whatever they call themselves) seek to continue spreading the lie of the inferiority of a people; a lie which unfortunately, has been accepted as truth in the world today. This lie has been passed down through many generations and has had catastrophic effects on a people.

Now, it's up to us as individuals to decide whether to accept the lie or reject it. Rejecting the lie requires us to unite, stand up for what is right and make our voices heard; rejecting the lie requires us to empower ourselves and prove to the world that we can be whatever we want to be and not what society wants us to be.

Personally, I don't think there's any such thing as "white power." I believe in individual strength and capability.

As the great Dr. King said, "a man can't ride your back unless it's bent." Anybody can be what he/she wants to be. It's up to you!

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