MLKs Papers to be Auctioned

[AKA2D '91]

Many of the papers, notes, and annotations of Dr. King's speeches were recently found in Coretta's basement. Now, the King Siblings have decided to auction the papers.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060608...n_060608164125

1. What are your thoughts?
2. Should the heirs keep the papers for themselves?

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally Posted by AKA2D '91

Many of the papers, notes, and annotations of Dr. King's speeches were recently found in Coretta's basement. Now, the King Siblings have decided to auction the papers.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060608...n_060608164125

1. What are your thoughts?
2. Should the heirs keep the papers for themselves?

Yes they should keep those papers for themselves. Some things just should not be auctioned. I WISH I had a tangible piece of my father like that. I would not let it go.

I could see if they made provisions that after the last King child dies, the papers go to XYZ or to the MLK Center, etc. but I would not dare auction jack.

This saddens me. If people want to see the papers, make photocopies but don't give out the originals.

[Professor]

I would sell them.

[Shauntelle]

Wow this is a good topic of debate!!

I know this has even been a BIG item of debate for the King children in recent monthes.

If Dr. King was my father, Im not sure if Id be willing to part with a lot of more than 10,000 items...his private papers — more than 7000 handwritten items! I think when Dr King was preserving these documents for his family he was not intending for it to be used for financial gain but simply as "keepsakes" for the family.

On the other hand, with the King Center in need millions of dollars--its not a bad idea to support this cause.

I dont know..I need to do more research on this topic. There are SO many elements to this debate.

[The Original Ape]

I would keep them or donate them to a museum or to the university from which he graduated. Their value has become larger than his family.

[Lady of Pearl]

I think they should donate them, I think that is what their mother and father would have wished so that his works can live on in our society. They should not be sold to the highest bidder for the most money -to do with however he or she would choose and for what purpose?

[Shauntelle]

Originally Posted by The Original Ape

I would keep them or donate them to a museum or to the university from which he graduated. Their value has become larger than his family.

You were on it!! Documents will go to Morehouse.

[InterestedN1911]

The King papers are here at Morehouse College, their rightful home. If they were not going to be with the family then surely the instituion in which he matriculated should own them. It is after the place where many of his thoughts and philosophies were born and cultivated.

[He HATE Me]

This is all so touchy I just hope that 30 or 40 years the MLK Center is still up and thriving for future generations to enjoy. Whats so wrong with the city owning it or maybe making it a foundation so it can recieve federal funding!

[jitterbug13]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070403/...8f9m37WulH2ocA

I hope either the family or the city leaders will come up with the money to stop the auction and have the placed at the center or at Morehouse.

[jitterbug13]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081208/...ZlKcBP9gFxFb8C

Knowing how much flack the children got from selling those papers, why would Harry Belafonte do this? Does he need the money?

The last time, the city of Atlanta were able to buy the papers and the big companies in the city (AT&T, Turner, Delta, etc.) were able to help. Now with the economy in the toilet, most of those companies and the city won't have the extra money to buy them.

I hope whoever buys them has the heart to donate them to Morehouse or Boston University.

Please discuss.

[Senusret I]

In a telephone interview, Belafonte said he was putting his documents up for sale because "I am at the end of my life — I will be 82 shortly — and there are a lot of causes I believe in for which resources are not available, and there is a need to redistribute those resources."

I ain't mad at him.

[jitterbug13]

I understand that Harry's no spring chicken. But couldn't he just give one of those two colleges the papers instead of auctioning them?

[Senusret I]

Why would he give them to those colleges if he could benefit a nonprofit or foundation of his choosing?

[Professor]

Everyone has their own non-profit. We would be better served as a community if we learn to partner with existing organizations to maximize services. Only time will tell what he will do with the money.