I have no clue how I came across this article, but I bookmarked it a few months back and read it again today. It paints a much different picture of King than typical public education does. I do not know much about King's life, but this article makes me skeptical. I'm curious what you guys think about the article/if it has any validity? I do not want to end up showing it to someone if it is just some made up nonsense.
The point that it elevates King to the status of Washington is interesting as well.
http://www.vdare.com/francis/050226_king_holiday.htm
No, it's not made up. It's pretty interesting, but sadly a lot of people wouldn't be bothered by it. People are pretty clueless about Communism and socialism, in America at least, so his views wouldn't damage the general opinion of him. I think it's a little unfair, however, to judge him on jokes he made.
I don't really care what he did. He promoted civil disobedience and peace; good enough for me. As far as I know, he was not a Stalinist.
Look at this way... Columbus, the presidents, the veterans, etc. all killed people. MLK didn't kill anyone. It's a step up. All we have is that and Christmas that isn't about war or killing or some type of statist ceremony. And what's this about 'elevating to the status of Washington?' The guy was a lousy general who made a decent politician for the time. He wasn't even 'elevated' himself until propaganda in the progressive period started making the founding fathers into cult heroes. Putting them on coins, telling how they chopped cherry trees and lived in log cabins, and other things like this.
Anyway, the more days the government is shutdown the better.
There is actually a Paul Robeson High School in Chicago; another in the Bronx (probably more elsewhere). A few years ago there was a story about how PRHS had lots of teenage pregnancies. And I was like... how is that the big story, when the whole school is named after a Stalinist? For the most part, people have realized the error of Stalinism for about 60 years. Most white intellectuals and writers have tried to burn this era of their past -- similar to how uncle joe used to do the same to his own history -- if they are still alive or their handlers do it if their work is sold posthumously. But if you're black (or Latino)... no problem.
Anyone so influenced by Thoreau and following in his footsteps is good in my book. People are not always so consistent in their libertarianism, but where they are, they do really well.
Freedom has always been the only route to progress.