Comments on: Honoring MLK or Missing the Boat? http://jimmymccarty.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/honoring-mlk-or-missing-the-boat/ Reflections on Life, Faith and Following Jesus in the 21st Century Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:10:58 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Kettle http://jimmymccarty.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/honoring-mlk-or-missing-the-boat/#comment-1052 Kettle Mon, 19 Jan 2009 08:37:21 +0000 http://jimmymccarty.wordpress.com/?p=281#comment-1052 San Diego's Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade had a profound effect on me. I appreciate the duplicity you mention and also see the same with the words of Jesus. San Diego’s Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade had a profound effect on me. I appreciate the duplicity you mention and also see the same with the words of Jesus.

]]> By: rogueminister http://jimmymccarty.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/honoring-mlk-or-missing-the-boat/#comment-699 rogueminister Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:17:31 +0000 http://jimmymccarty.wordpress.com/?p=281#comment-699 P.S.- If you are ever down in TN I recommend making a trip to the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. It was powerful and moving. P.S.- If you are ever down in TN I recommend making a trip to the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. It was powerful and moving.

]]> By: jimmymccarty http://jimmymccarty.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/honoring-mlk-or-missing-the-boat/#comment-698 jimmymccarty Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:57:59 +0000 http://jimmymccarty.wordpress.com/?p=281#comment-698 Rogue, I agree with you. I think there is a place for teaching others about the work and teachings of King, as well as honoring his life. But, in the instance of the San Diego promenade, when this is done where homeless people dwell on that memorial I think it drastically misses the point! Also, it's important that his TRUE teachings and work are taught. Often times it is a watered down, fluffy, feel good message that perverts the heart of his teaching. I remember what Dorothy Day said, "Don't call me a saint. I don't want to be dismissed so easily." I think she understood this. When we start memorializing the work of great people as if they were "one of a kind" we begin to think they were and we can't do what they did. The best memorial is a life of emulation. Anyways, thanks for your thoughts. They are appreciated as always. Rogue,

I agree with you. I think there is a place for teaching others about the work and teachings of King, as well as honoring his life. But, in the instance of the San Diego promenade, when this is done where homeless people dwell on that memorial I think it drastically misses the point! Also, it’s important that his TRUE teachings and work are taught. Often times it is a watered down, fluffy, feel good message that perverts the heart of his teaching.

I remember what Dorothy Day said, “Don’t call me a saint. I don’t want to be dismissed so easily.” I think she understood this. When we start memorializing the work of great people as if they were “one of a kind” we begin to think they were and we can’t do what they did.

The best memorial is a life of emulation. Anyways, thanks for your thoughts. They are appreciated as always.

]]> By: rogueminister http://jimmymccarty.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/honoring-mlk-or-missing-the-boat/#comment-697 rogueminister Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:44:42 +0000 http://jimmymccarty.wordpress.com/?p=281#comment-697 My biblical ethics class took a field trip to the Civil Rights museum in Memphis and there was a lady who stays outside and has done so for many many years protesting the place. She claims that it doesn't honor MLK for the same reasons you are saying. I agree to some extent, but I am torn. Having these quotes and a fantastic museum and other monuments will hopefully educate and inspire people to look deeper into the man and the causes he stood for. At the same time it does seem contrary to the things he stood for to spend so much money on these things. This unfortunately seems to be the case with many great leaders from William Booth to Gandhi, that we appreciate their legacy but dont want to make the same kind of sacrifices to live out that dream ourselves. My biblical ethics class took a field trip to the Civil Rights museum in Memphis and there was a lady who stays outside and has done so for many many years protesting the place. She claims that it doesn’t honor MLK for the same reasons you are saying. I agree to some extent, but I am torn. Having these quotes and a fantastic museum and other monuments will hopefully educate and inspire people to look deeper into the man and the causes he stood for. At the same time it does seem contrary to the things he stood for to spend so much money on these things. This unfortunately seems to be the case with many great leaders from William Booth to Gandhi, that we appreciate their legacy but dont want to make the same kind of sacrifices to live out that dream ourselves.

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