FREEDOM - MLK'S LEGACY

Will Grapentine 

As many know January 20th is Martin Luther King Day. To many, it is simply another day off, another long-weekend. To others it is a day to praise an infallible secular-saint in American history (an Ameri-Ebo-Ghandi, to coin a phrase). And of course to others ( a much smaller number in truth) there are those that look beyond the myth and judge the man - AND his legacy - with a critical eye, warts and all.

In commemoration on MLK Day, I think it is important to look at the different facets of the person responsible to this national holiday. As someone fascinated with history (as it is the road map to our present and future), let's look back the man and judge from an unbiased perspective his contribution to modern America.

Like many figures in history (both ancient and modern), the legacy of what many have seen as a galvanizing figure has been used as a bludgeoning tool in one of the most divisive topics in modern-day American topics: the continuing and ever-evolving modern-day race relations.

As everybody has both positive and negative societal contributions , here are a few bullet points to underscore the highly mixed legacy of a historically favored individual.

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THE GOOD

- MLK was a REPUBLICAN : Contrary to the political narrative of his civil rights contemporaries, MLK was from a family of strong Republicans (which was routine with many more black voters following post-civill war reconstruction). Although this changed as the Civil Rights era got more heated, it is to note that his party affiliation was rooted more on the individul on where they stood on the issues.

- HE ENCOURAGED PEACEFUL PROTEST AGAINST AN ERRED GOVERNMENT: On the whole, his work was inspirational example of successful grassroots action to effect government change. His tactics and methods were BEFORE THE INTERNET, and yet he still managed to help rally support to overturn strong-arming big-government policies against its people.

- HE WAS A STRONG, GOD-FEARING CHRISTIAN: MLK was a Christian minister WAY BEFORE a civil rights leader, as his main influence was Jesus Christ and the Christian gospels, which he would almost always quote in his religious meetings and speeches at church, but also in public addresses. In an age where people's freedom of religion is oftentimes mocked or looked down at if ever presented in a public forum (hello, CRANSTON SCHOOL BANNER), this is a refreshing aspect of man: his guiding influence.

THE BAD

- MULTIPLES ALLEGATIONS OF ADULTERY: Sure to be filed under 'CHRISTIAN HYPOCRISY', multiple counts of some of MLK's illicit activity point to how the good Reverend spent his nights. Fellow civil rights leader Ralph Abernathy stated in his 1989 autobiography And the Walls Came Tumbling Down that King had a "weakness for women", although they "all understood and believed in the biblical prohibition against sex outside of marriage. It was just that he had a particularly difficult time with that temptation". Even President Lyndon B. Johnson called MLK a 'Hypocritical Preacher'.

- MLK TURNED TO THE 'DARK SIDE'; ASSOCIATED WITH PROGRESSIVES & COMMUNIST SYMPATHIZERS: Beyond peacefully trying to bridge the races, King was also entangled with destructive ideologies: He studied Marx, supported "Democratic Socialism" and eventually held hands with the pinko anti-Vietnam War crowd. He also supported "compensation" for slavery and "Economic Justice" campaigns (That's some content of character ...).

- HIS NAME, IMAGE, & HOLIDAY IS NOW USED TO PUSH A FAR-LEFT RACIST AGENDA: From race-baters like Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton, to high powered officials like Attorney General Eric Holder and of course Barack Hussein Obama, and of course groups like NAACP, pushing ineffective or antiquated policies like affirmative action and class warfare is THE ONLY WAY to enshrine MLK's legacy (if not, your a RACIST!)

So, in closing, although a positive figure generally for calling out tyrannical government policies, the long-term effect of his legacy is NOT one that empowers the average citizen, but one that continues to allow race to be used as a bludgeoning tool and political football to this very day. Furthermore, his message of galvanizing unity between different groups and skepticism against government has been lost on the very people who have used MLK's message to climb to the halls of power.

Legacies and maintained by the gatekeepers of today. In part, some of MLK's most positive lessons will only be learned if the racial-motivated charlatans of today are called out on their poor recollection of history. By giving an alternative context for MLK's teachings, although imperfect as a whole, can be used to forward a concept we STILL must protect today: freedom.