Martin luther king's life and achievments are celebrated in america yet we still fight physically and not peacfully. So what's the deal? IS this just an illusion of the american dream?
Martin Luther King Jr. made great progress toward giving black people better opportunities in America while dismantling segregation and discrimination. But it would be naive to think his message could reach everyone. Racism is still very much with us, and it's not just white racism directed at blacks. In every segment of society there are people who can't or won't tolerate those who are different in any way. And it's certainly not an American phenomenon; in many other countries you'll inspire hatred for being a member of a different race, tribe, religion, religious sect, or caste. No, MLK's achievements are no illusion, but making progress toward a goal doesn't mean the ultimate goal will be realized quickly. Race relations in America have improved considerably, but we still have quite a way to go.
You can teach but not everyone will learn. Passive resistance takes a lot more patience, pain and courage than the usual resistance and King brought that philosophy here and it did have impact. Every decent person knew deep down that racism was wrong and segregation a thing of the past. Watching the pigs on the evening news attacking ppl with dogs and fire hoses brought home just how wrong we were in our apartheid. Eventually, like Gandhiji with the British Empire, justice prevailed (except for the more subtle forms of injustice that continue today). However, King was just one faction and he was criticised by the militant black leaders who wanted a more traditional confrontation with the white power structure.
Yes, some of them called him an Uncle Tom, implying that by trying to get along with white people he was being subservient to them. It's apparent that King did more to advance civil rights than all the black militants combined. Still, they did play a crucial role in getting across the message that black people will fight back if they have to. Passive resistance doesn't work with everybody.
Nah, 2Pac was just more recent. His biggest achievement was lining former's friends' pockets with his posthumous works. Martin Luther King got his own day and museum. It's a nice museum, too.
I just don't think it's cool that our government honors him yet we don't honor his teachings of peace.
