In a month from now, Glen Beck will be holding his "Restoring Honor" rally at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28th. Most people probably just see the date and do not think much of it. However, take a second to think about it. August 28...1963? Does that ring a bell at all? Ask Congressman John Lewis. He was in Washington D.C. that day. Still nothing? August 28, 1963 was the March on Washington and also the day that Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his "I Have A Dream" speech on those same steps.
History holds a level of importance of where we have come from and where we are going. Events over time can range from highly important to a blip on the radar. Any student of history and America will almost certainly rank King's speech in the upper tier of great speeches. What was said that day was beyond words and should be respected by this generation of Americans and future generations.
Beck often comes on television or radio and projects himself as a patriot attempting to help Americans save themselves. Bring back America from the brink. This rally he is organizing is supposed to be about celebrating and honoring America's heroes, heritage, and future. He will be joined by "fellow patriot", Sarah Palin, and entertainers, Jo Dee Messina and Ted Nugent. Also there will be former Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell and several members of the Armed Services. Beck is hoping to gather a large collection of Medal of Honor winners. They will all be gathered in a tribute to those who embody this nation's principles of integrity, truth, and honor. Beck, Palin, and similar politicians/personalities consistently harp on our freedom being lost today under President Obama. So, in order to reclaim a fading America, Beck sees gathering on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as that way to restore this country's honor.
Beck first announced his intentions for the 8/28 rally two months. He would go on to reference George Washington and the Purple Heart and the purpose of a badge of merit. He spoke on Washington’s desire to have people of integrity and individuals who understood merit and honor. Thus, an idea randomly popped into Beck’s wandering mind. He had a vision to restore honor through restoring the road to glory of a free country open to all. At his rally, he will be “rewarding” citizens with badges of merit that might emulate the Purple Heart design. This is a chance to “restore the country”, “restore honor”, and “restore faith and principles” all on the road to discovering “a new George Washington”.
However, if you preach to appreciate history; as Beck does; than he must know that this cheap stunt is disrespectful to history and one of the revolutionaries in this country.
On that same August day that Beck plans to hold a rally to restore America’s honor; King stood before 200,000 civil rights supporters and orated for roughly twenty minutes on the future he dreamt of. He called for racial equality and an end to discrimination. He spoke loudly and proudly in front of the statue of the man, who 100 years earlier had emancipated the slaves. His speech would become not only a defining moment in the civil rights movement, but would put the advancements that were achieved in 1964 and 1965 on their course. How important was this speech? It was only ranked the top speech of the 20th century.
He referenced the Emancipation Proclamation as well as laid out the premise of an integrated and unified America. He would link the progress made in the 1860s as the beginning of the journey and the events of the 1960s as the next step in a continued progress.
In his speech, King details his vision as such:“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal’.” All men are created equal, whether they are black or white. And many also might recall the words of “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
It is 47 years later and despite great progress over that time; King's dream is yet to be fully realized. And Beck and some those who will be in Washington that day neither grasp King's dream or respect it.
Thus, despite the fact that he is bringing many of this country's Armed Services to Washington; he is off the mark again. If he wants to honor the Armed Services and great men like George Washington; then hold a rally near or around Memorial Day or Veterans Day. August 28th is not a holiday and thus fair game for a rally on whatever Beck wants to hold a rally on. But him and Sarah Palin are disrespecting the Purple Heart with mock badges. And more importantly, they are choosing the same day as King's infamous speech held in the same location as the time and place to continue their far right wing agenda in "restoring America".
Holding a rally not related to civil rights on August 28th on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial is disrespectful to history and the legacy of men who fought for civil rights like King. Beck does not see that and will continue to do as he feels as he tries to be a patriot. No thank you, sir. Men like King and Washington; those are patriots.
http://www.examiner.com/article/disrespect-for-history-and-martin-luther-king-jr
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment