Should Whites or Republicans be able to quote MLK Jr.?

Love_Spell_6 · #1 11-08-2002, 03:43 PM

Here we go again!! Getting offended at every little thing!!

Would anyone like to offer an explanation as to WHY Black Americans are offended that newly elected GA governor is quoting MLK Jr? In a speech he said "......Free at Last.....Free at Last....."

WHY is this considered offensive??

Somebody PLEASE help me out on this one .....

12dn94dst · #2 11-08-2002, 03:49 PM

ok, question...what was the context? it may not be the fact that MLK Jr. was quoted, but the context that was used that was offensive. I need more information before I can answer.

Professor · #3 11-08-2002, 03:59 PM

I also want to know the whole story.

Quote:

Originally posted by 12dn94dst
ok, question...what was the context? it may not be the fact that MLK Jr. was quoted, but the context that was used that was offensive. I need more information before I can answer.

carnation · #4 11-08-2002, 04:10 PM

Sonny Perdue, the governor-elect, said it when Roy Barnes conceded to him in the election. He meant that the state is free of Roy Barnes at last.

It offended some people when he said it but as to whites being allowed to use the quote--who's going to stop them? Free speech and all that!

Love_Spell_6 · #5 11-08-2002, 04:23 PM

Here's the article:

NEWS THURSDAY • November 7, 2002

Latest news / Top headlines / Email news alerts / Home sales report

Activists take offense at Perdue's use of King quotation
Mia Taylor - Staff
Thursday, November 7, 2002

Civil rights advocates voiced outrage Wednesday over Gov.-elect Sonny Perdue's use of a famous quote by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during his victory speech the night before, but Perdue said he intended no offense.

Perdue scored a historic victory Tuesday when he defeated Gov. Roy Barnes, ending 130 years of Democratic governors in Georgia. During a victory party at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Buckhead, Perdue, describing his joy, said, "Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, free at last."

Civil rights leaders felt the comment was inappropriate.

The Rev. Joseph Lowery, a civil rights leader who worked closely with King, noted that when King uttered the famous closing line to his "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963, he was talking about blacks gaining freedom from oppression.

"I didn't give a rat what he said, until he stole our line, with a Confederate flag waving behind him," Lowery said. "It was inappropriate, but I would like to hear his motive for using it. I think he owes us an explanation."

Perdue, who was a Democrat until he switched parties in 1998, said Wednesday he was "sorry the reverend feels that way."

"I admire much of Martin Luther King's writings," said Perdue. "As I read them, they do connote a deeper wisdom that is remarkable."

Lowery wasn't the only one who took offense.

"It's very upsetting," said longtime King advocate Lynn Cothren, "particularly to use a quote that dealt with freeing a group of individuals that had been oppressed by society for hundreds of years. To minimize it and politicize it . . . was not only inappropriate but thoughtless.

"Obviously, you can't compare the Democrats' and Republicans' fight over the Governor's Mansion . . . with Dr. King talking about America living up to everything it should be about, which is addressing issues of poverty, racism and war."

King's widow, Coretta Scott King, could not be reached for comment.

Perdue said that while obviously the remark was a little politicized, Republicans could empathize with "the stakes" of King's comment.

Staff writers Ernie Suggs and Mae Gentry contributed to this article.

Shani26 · #6 11-08-2002, 09:59 PM

Noooooooo I'm not offended

...If a black person would have said it in that SAME context...it wouldn't be an issue.

12dn94dst · #7 11-08-2002, 11:49 PM

*sigh*

ok.

I've read the article.

I thought about the article AND the question, and here's is my take on both.

Personally, I didn't know that only certain people were "allowed" to quote MLK Jr. I didn't find the context of the quote offensive, but that's me. Georgia has had a Democratic governor since about 1872. If it floats Sonny Perdue's to equate his election as the first Rebublican governor since then to the freedom of black folks, hey, that's on him. Obviously there are others who feel differently. **mock surprise** Oh my goodness. How did that happen. **end mock surprise** If Black folks in GA are that ticked off about it, I'm sure they'll let him know while he's in office and in 4 years when he's asking to keep his job.

What I'd like to know is how did the comments of two people get extrapolated into the opinion of "Black America"?

straightBOS · #8 11-09-2002, 06:23 AM

How can anyone fight for civil rights and then shameless attempt to limit the civil rights of others?

Boy, I tell ya, Blacks folks grasping at straws for things to be offended by. Where are all of the old people to slap these zealots upside the head? Hopefully this means we have finally run out of things to complain about.

Love_Spell_6 · #9 11-10-2002, 07:50 PM

I just think this is REE-DIK-U-LUSS!!!!

Only black people can quote Civil Rights Leaders??!! Boy..... our community is in desperate need of new leaders that care about the things that are really hurting our community!!

Actually, I also think that too much time and energy has been wasted on worrying about that dang confederate flaG! Who cares if people want to wave it!! Uhm..are we slaves 2day? The flag means to me that the South lost the war and we are FREE today!

Shucks, I'm seriously considering getting me a shirt with the confederate flag on it...

That flag means as much to ME as it does to THEM!!! ........but i digress.....

ykimber · #10 11-10-2002, 09:30 PM

I just think that people are being too sensitive! I mean come on I think Bobby Brown was quoted as saying that one time when he was released from jail, I guess those people are ok with that! Come on now give me a break, no one has ownership over any words or phrases!

Gyrl7 · #11 11-11-2002, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ykimber
I just think that people are being too sensitive! I mean come on I think Bobby Brown was quoted as saying that one time when he was released from jail, I guess those people are ok with that! Come on now give me a break, no one has ownership over any words or phrases!

I agree......It is unfortunate, but we can't stop the freedom of speech!