Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
Thu Jan 23, 2014, 10:16 PM Jan 2014

Martin Luther King: And One Day We Must Ask The Question…



Martin Luther King: And One Day We Must Ask The Question…


Posted by Mark on January 20, 2014 at 9:04 am.

Martin Luther King, 1967:

The movement must address itself to the question of restructuring the whole of American society. There are forty million poor people here. And one day we must ask the question, Why are there forty million poor people in America? And when you begin to ask that question, you are raising questions about the economic system, about a broader distribution of wealth. When you ask that question, you begin to question the capitalistic economy. And I’m simply saying that more and more, we’ve got to begin to ask questions about the whole society.

We are called upon to help the discouraged beggars in life’s marketplace. But one day we must come to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring. It means that questions must be raised. You see, my friends, when you deal with this, you begin to ask the question, Who owns the oil? You begin to ask the question, Who owns the iron ore? You begin to ask the question, Why is it that people have to pay water bills in a world that is two-thirds water? These are questions that must be asked.


Now it is time to answer the questions he asked:

Dom Helder Camara, Archbishop of Recife:

When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.

Pope Francis:

As long as the problems of the poor are not radically resolved by rejecting the absolute autonomy of markets and financial speculation and by attacking the structural causes of inequality, no solution will be found for the world’s problems or, for that matter, to any problems. Inequality is the root of social ills.

President Barack Obama, 2013:

For we, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it... Our journey is not complete…

http://www.newscorpse.com/ncWP/?p=11304

I posted this elsewhere and hope the members here enjoy it. The photo of Martin Luther King, Jr., the genius of his time, is also a keeper. Mankind is fortunate to have such blessings.


3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Martin Luther King: And One Day We Must Ask The Question… (Original Post) freshwest Jan 2014 OP
With the "ending" of the Mayan Calendar ... 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2014 #1
50 to 80 years ago. Or so those who follow cycles say. There are cycles, sun spots, business, human. freshwest Jan 2014 #2
kick JustAnotherGen Jan 2014 #3
 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
1. With the "ending" of the Mayan Calendar ...
Thu Jan 23, 2014, 11:08 PM
Jan 2014

many flirted with the idea that the world would end. But the Mayans (those familiar with Mayan culture) indicated that the "world would be transformed" (not destroyed).

Now think ... when has the world had so many "powerful" voices, all communicating the same world transforming message?

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
2. 50 to 80 years ago. Or so those who follow cycles say. There are cycles, sun spots, business, human.
Fri Jan 24, 2014, 01:41 AM
Jan 2014
What a wonder, to live to see this.

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»African American»Martin Luther King: And O...