Famous names from the civil rights era are in the news.

I used to always consider the civil rights era as a special time in America. Very courageous and special people were fighting to throw off the racism of the past and achieve equality. I think of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, the SNCC, Medgar Evers and artists such as Marvin Gaye who wrote about our society and its ills. When looking at racist actions that were taking place, it was an embarrassing time for the United States, yet when you look at the valiant struggle being fought, it was a wondrous era. The documentary "Eyes on the Prize" covers much of that fight, and shows all the civil rights leaders in their prime.

The first name back in the news is John Lewis. This civil rights leader has maintained his legacy and shall always be a respected man. Speaking at Howard University, Lewis blasted Bush on his eagerness to engage in war and to forget about the Americans that need help.

[Bush] ''proposes we invade a sovereign nation [and] go to war unattacked, unprovoked, unilaterally. Instead of helping the poor at home, we will bomb the poor abroad. Instead of educating our children, we will teach Arab children the hardships of war. This, I cannot and will not support.''

Lewis was shouting as he accused Bush of using the war to distract us from our countries problems during the coming elections.

''We cannot look to our president for answers. He hopes that we do not hear the victims of Enron, WorldCom and Global Crossing. He hopes that we do not hear the cries of the homeless . . . or the seniors who cannot afford medicine.''

"It makes me so sad to see the president, the commander in chief, going from state to state, city to city, beating the drums of war. Despite all the progress we've made, too many of us are being left out and left behind. It is a battle we [do] not win with guns, tanks, bombs or missiles --- but with ideas, values and principles. War as an instrument of our foreign policy is obsolete.''

The other famous name back in the news is Ralph David Abernathy. This is not the civil rights leader, but his son who has used his name to line his pockets and deceive people.

On parole for "stealing government money, violating his oath of office, lying to investigators, forgery and influencing a witness," Abernathy is now swindling people. Abernathy told other inmates that for large sums of money from their families he would use his influence to get them paroled. In Georgia only a lawyer can take money to assist people with their parole and Abernathy is not a lawyer, nor did he hire one to help these individuals.

With his parole revoked, Abernathy is back in prison. Hopefully it will be awhile before he can continue to drag his father's name through the mud.

8:24:36 AM    comment []