Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Sowell: A Poignant Anniversary
Creators Syndicate ^ | August 27, 2013 | Thomas Sowell

Posted on 08/26/2013 12:57:05 PM PDT by jazusamo

The 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, and of the Reverend Martin Luther King's memorable "I have a dream" speech, is a time for reflections — some inspiring, and some painful and ominous.

At the core of Dr. King's speech was his dream of a world in which people would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by "the content of their character."

Judging individuals by their individual character is at the opposite pole from judging how groups are statistically represented among employees, college students or political figures.

Yet many — if not most — of those who celebrate the "I have a dream" speech today promote the directly opposite approach of group preferences, especially those based on skin color.

How consistent Martin Luther King himself was as he confronted the various issues of his time is a question that can be left for historians. His legacy to us is the "I have a dream" speech.

What was historic about that speech was not only what was said but how powerfully its message resonated among Americans of that time, across the spectrum of race, ideology and politics. A higher percentage of Republicans than Democrats voted in Congress for both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

To say that that was a hopeful time would be an understatement. To say that many of those hopes have since been disappointed would also be an understatement.

There has been much documented racial progress since 1963. But there has also been much retrogression, of which the disintegration of the black family has been central, especially among those at the bottom of the social pyramid.

(Excerpt) Read more at creators.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: king; martinlutherking; sowell; thomassowell

1 posted on 08/26/2013 12:57:05 PM PDT by jazusamo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: abigail2; Amalie; American Quilter; arthurus; awelliott; Bahbah; bamahead; Battle Axe; ...
*PING*
Thomas Sowell

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Recent columns
A Truly Great Phony
Reality Versus Mirages in Egypt
Are We Serious About Education?

Please FReepmail me if you would like to be added to or removed from the Thomas Sowell ping list…

2 posted on 08/26/2013 1:00:21 PM PDT by jazusamo ("I am so old that I can remember when most of the people promoting race hate were white." T. Sowell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jazusamo

Another insightful analysis of the sad legacy of the Civil Rights movement from the eminent Dr. Sowell.


3 posted on 08/26/2013 1:02:42 PM PDT by Jim Scott
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jazusamo
Thanks for the ping.

I was just reading in Fox Nation what a mess the rats left at the national Mall

Is this Martin Luther King’s legacy? National Mall covered in garbage

4 posted on 08/26/2013 1:17:57 PM PDT by Kaslin (He needed the ignorant to reelect him, and he got them. Now we all have to pay the consequenses)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Yes, Emily Miller really ripped them for the mess. I think what raised my ire the most was that the Reflection Pool was trashed also, the Rats did it on purpose.


5 posted on 08/26/2013 1:29:21 PM PDT by jazusamo ("I am so old that I can remember when most of the people promoting race hate were white." T. Sowell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

Please bump the Freepathon or click above and donate or become a monthly donor!

6 posted on 08/26/2013 1:41:42 PM PDT by jazusamo ("I am so old that I can remember when most of the people promoting race hate were white." T. Sowell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jazusamo

This is a sad and frustrating state of affairs, again described perfectly by Dr. Sowell.


7 posted on 08/26/2013 6:09:58 PM PDT by TheOldLady
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: jazusamo
A higher percentage of Republicans than Democrats voted in Congress for both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Incidentally, Dr. King was killed by James Earl Ray. Ray had recently worked for George Wallace's presidential election campaign, because he was inspired by Wallace's segregationist stance against blacks. Wallace was, of course, a Democrat.

8 posted on 08/26/2013 6:22:58 PM PDT by Egon (Apparently, Jimmy Carter DOES need a third term.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Egon

Exactly...Many forget about the Dems in the South that lived in that era and I believe many younger Dems now don’t realize just how fanatically racist those Dems were in suppressing blacks.


9 posted on 08/26/2013 6:30:41 PM PDT by jazusamo ("I am so old that I can remember when most of the people promoting race hate were white." T. Sowell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson