The civil rights leader Martin Luther King at the 1963 March on Washington.
King a gift
Each year's Martin Luther King Day is a time to reflect on and celebrate Dr. King's short, servant-filled, prophetic life. In a time frame spanning about 13 years (1955-1968), King, along with others, led a civil rights movement which transformed America into being better than many Americans wanted it to be. The movement succeeded because love and nonviolence were positive means used to achieve successful ends. Love and nonviolence never fail.
Martin Luther King Jr. was much more than just a great civil rights leader. In the last years of his much-too-short life, he spoke prophetically about poverty in America, called for economic justice, was outspoken in his opposition to our country's role in the Vietnam War. Like the true prophet he was, King spoke truth to the powers that be.
In America today we are still dealing, or not dealing, with poverty, economic justice and war issues. We can be sure that if Dr. King had not been taken out by an assassin's bullet at the age of 39, he would have continued being a drum major for justice and peace. At the time of his death, King was still evolving. He taught us so much; we will never know what more he might have taught us. For he always appealed to the "better angels of humankind's nature."
King is as relevant today as he was during his lifetime. In a speech almost 50 years ago he said, "Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane." The 1980s in our country were called "the decade of greed" by some pundits. If King had lived during that period, with regularity I believe he would have called attention to the ill effects of greed and misuse of money. He would have challenged us to work to change an unjust economic system that greatly favors the rich. The best of capitalism and the best of socialism could be combined to form a more just, compassionate economic system that would benefit all. A victim of gun violence himself, King today would be passionately addressing that issue.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a God-given gift to America and the world. I am glad I lived during most of King's life and am thankful for the years, though few in number, we had him. The best way we can please God and honor Dr. King is to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God.
PAUL L. WHITELEY Sr.
Louisville 40207 -
The rest of the story
Incomplete reporting seems to be the topic of the day. Your reporter let us know who the millionaires in Congress were, and how much each was worth. He failed to state that John Yarmuth is a self-made man. He also donates his congressional salary to local charities. Why was this information omitted? Truth in reporting is every bit as important as truth in advertising.
Louisville 40206 -
Better photos, please
When so many good game shots of our great local and regional basketball teams in action are available, why does The C-J continue to publish large, unflattering photos of a player with a wide open, saliva-dripping mouth heading down court? In the photo of Montrezl Harrell in the Houston game published Friday, the poor guy looks like someone not shown has just slammed him in the foot with an eight-pound sledgehammer. This and similar type pictures add nothing to your game report and article. The fact that in this photo the tongue was not sticking out is appreciated.
ED J. O'HEARN
Louisville 40228 -
Refund from Bud?
Apple has just agreed to a $32.5 million settlement to parents whose children bought apps while under age. Citing precedent, I demand that Budweiser refund to my parents any money I spent on beer while under age.
Louisville 40291 -