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Originally posted by Sistermadly
I see your point Eclipse, but I also respectfully disagree. Respect is earned, not automatically given, and while Reagan might have achieved some things that changed the face of history, in my mind, he did precious little that warranted my respect.
Martin Luther King isn't only a Black icon - he's a human icon. But even if someone said something disparaging about one of "our" icons (and the concept of 'black' or 'white' icons is, IMO, more polarizing than calling Reagan out of his name) that's the speaker's right, and that's what the First Amendment is all about. They don't have to like what I say or how I choose to say it - but as long as they support my right to say it, we're cool. 
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I guess I am from the "don't speak ill of the dead" school of thought. I also see it as giving people time with their sorrow. AGain, I don't think that means we sugar coat everything and get ready to put a new face on Mt Rushmore, but I just remember how the conversation about Strom turned and didn't want to see it repeated.
I agree that MLK is a human icon, but sadly, many folks don't see it that way and considers his birthday a "Black holiday". I'm glad you can be so open minded, but I can tell ya, if it was hours or days after MLK's death and someone called him an "evil sumb*itch" I would have been royally pissed, no matter what the 1st Amendment says.