Thoughts on this MLK quote

unsung

"There comes a time when silence is betrayal". --MLK

I'm curious that in 2013 what people think of it based upon current policies. Also what would MLK think (your opinion) about his quote in the present?

Jason P

:silent:

I think an interesting way to gauge the current state is to monitor the public response after we attack Syria.

Another odd trend is both sides complain about change, but when groups stand up for change and become vocal they are branded in negative terms and smeared by each major side (i.e. libertarians; OWS; Tea Party). It's odd that everyone wants change but then shut down people who actually represent change.

Democrats and Republicans just pay lip service to their minions, but policy wise they are the same.

InsideMan

I think what I find more interesting is the relevancy of the March for Jobs and Freedom in contemporary times (I don't think I need to elaborate). Unfortunately, I doubt that we will ever again see 250,000 people descend on Washington for a common cause. Maybe because, as Jason noted, there is a fear of being shut down. Maybe it is also because people simply do not care anymore as it is easier to voice an opinion from behind a twitter account rather than taking to the streets. I suppose the latter is what Dr. King referenced many years ago.

ajedigecko

InsideMan wrote:

I think what I find more interesting is the relevancy of the March for Jobs and Freedom in contemporary times (I don't think I need to elaborate). Unfortunately, I doubt that we will ever again see 250,000 people descend on Washington for a common cause. Maybe because, as Jason noted, there is a fear of being shut down. Maybe it is also because people simply do not care anymore as it is easier to voice an opinion from behind a twitter account rather than taking to the streets. I suppose the latter is what Dr. King referenced many years ago.

correct.

I could have stood on the corner with a sign - "Gosnell murders innocent children"

I do not.

I typed it, from home.

I am a coward, to some degree.

as we all are.

vant0037

I think the quote is obviously making a point about silence being the same as acquiescence. Nothing earth-shattering there.

The Tea Party backlash example still fits within the parameters of the quote. Just because people have worked against or isolated a group that was "change" from the status quo doesn't mean voters, in rejecting Tea Party politics, are somehow not embodying what that quote stands for. Quite the opposite in fact.

vant0037

Jason P wrote:

Another odd trend is both sides complain about change, but when groups stand up for change and become vocal they are branded in negative terms and smeared by each major side (i.e. libertarians; OWS; Tea Party). It's odd that everyone wants change but then shut down people who actually represent change.

This implies that change, in and of itself, is a good thing. I think it's fair to say that many people assessed what the Tea Party represented, and rejected it. That's not rejecting change broadly; that's rejecting the specific substance of a particular brand of politics.

I agree that many movements are stunted by the big-party machinery; it's hard to doubt that. But I don't think that people who have rejected with a group like the Tea Party stands for can fairly be classified as "old guard" or blindly rejecting something. Just because we want change doesn't mean any change will do.

JC29856

"keep the slaves fighting amongst themselves"

mikepegg44

vant0037 wrote:

Jason P wrote:

Another odd trend is both sides complain about change, but when groups stand up for change and become vocal they are branded in negative terms and smeared by each major side (i.e. libertarians; OWS; Tea Party). It's odd that everyone wants change but then shut down people who actually represent change.

This implies that change, in and of itself, is a good thing. I think it's fair to say that many people assessed what the Tea Party represented, and rejected it. That's not rejecting change broadly; that's rejecting the specific substance of a particular brand of politics.

I agree that many movements are stunted by the big-party machinery; it's hard to doubt that. But I don't think that people who have rejected with a group like the Tea Party stands for can fairly be classified as "old guard" or blindly rejecting something. Just because we want change doesn't mean any change will do.

I think this image represents american politics quite well, two forces constantly battling to knock the other guy down and in the end it gets them both no where.




you are right, Change does not mean the same thing to everyone. What I would like to see changed would be bringing more voices to the table. Can anyone honestly tell me that two choices that some how are supposed to encompass all thoughts is so much better than one? We have a election system that the media buys into that tells people that politics is a game, and that there are only two choices? Let's get some more voices in the god damn argument at the very least. Libertarians and socialists are VASTLY different but both should be heard in a debate about who will lead the god damn country.

unsung wrote:

"There comes a time when silence is betrayal". --MLK


I'm curious that in 2013 what people think of it based upon current policies. Also what would MLK think (your opinion) about his quote in the present?

All those who have a voice on a large platform that choose not to use it out of fear of political repercussions are betraying themselves. He was right when he said it, and he would be doubly right today

jethrojam420

unsung wrote:

"There comes a time when silence is betrayal". --MLK

I'm curious that in 2013 what people think of it based upon current policies. Also what would MLK think (your opinion) about his quote in the present?

I would bet it would be the opposite of however Ron Paul spins it to mean

unsung

Whatever.


Anyway back on topic. I find that quote very fascinating. So much so considering the politics of today. Today Barack Obama gave his grand, eloquent speech to commemorate Dr King. That same Barack Obama chooses to punish those that do not remain silent. He punishes those that not only speak up and expose travesties but also those that show how widespread his illegal activities are. And he goes after them with a vengeance.

I wish Dr King were alive, somehow I doubt he'd remain silent the way those that claim to carry on his message are doing.

vant0037

unsung wrote:

Whatever.

Somehow, I don't you were very interested in what others thought about this quote.

CH156378

unsung wrote:

Whatever.


Anyway back on topic. I find that quote very fascinating. So much so considering the politics of today. Today Barack Obama gave his grand, eloquent speech to commemorate Dr King. That same Barack Obama chooses to punish those that do not remain silent. He punishes those that not only speak up and expose travesties but also those that show how widespread his illegal activities are. And he goes after them with a vengeance.

I wish Dr King were alive, somehow I doubt he'd remain silent the way those that claim to carry on his message are doing.

+1
no shit. nothing like following up a comencment speech on dr. king than by launching bombs into syria. :?

jethrojam420

vant0037 wrote:

unsung wrote:

Whatever.

Somehow, I don't you were very interested in what others thought about this quote.

+1

Who Princess

unsung wrote:

"There comes a time when silence is betrayal". --MLK

I'm curious that in 2013 what people think of it based upon current policies. Also what would MLK think (your opinion) about his quote in the present?

Without knowing the context of the original quote, it's hard to say how it applies in the present. Was he talking about civil rights? Or the Vietnam War? That was also a significant issue for him. Oppression of the working class?

It's commonplace to take a quote from someone who is an articulate speaker or writer but over time many quotes are applied to situations that they only nominally fit. This is a profound statement but I'd still like to know what he was referring to before I apply it to any current situation. I'm not dodging the question; I just think it would be a disservice to Dr. King to ascribe my thoughts to him.

DriftingByTheStorm

Who Princess wrote:

unsung wrote:

"There comes a time when silence is betrayal". --MLK

I'm curious that in 2013 what people think of it based upon current policies. Also what would MLK think (your opinion) about his quote in the present?

Without knowing the context of the original quote, it's hard to say how it applies in the present. Was he talking about civil rights? Or the Vietnam War? That was also a significant issue for him. Oppression of the working class?

It's commonplace to take a quote from someone who is an articulate speaker or writer but over time many quotes are applied to situations that they only nominally fit. This is a profound statement but I'd still like to know what he was referring to before I apply it to any current situation. I'm not dodging the question; I just think it would be a disservice to Dr. King to ascribe my thoughts to him.

you are right.

MLK wrote:

I come to this magnificent house of worship tonight because my conscience leaves me no other choice. I join with you in this meeting because I am in deepest agreement with the aims and work of the organization which has brought us together: Clergy and Laymen Concerned about Vietnam. The recent statement of your executive committee are the sentiments of my own heart and I found myself in full accord when I read its opening lines: "A time comes when silence is betrayal." That time has come for us in relation to Vietnam.

Beyond Vietnam: A Time To Break Silence - Speech Transcript

i like this bit up top:
Time magazine called the speech "demagogic slander that sounded like a script for Radio Hanoi," and the Washington Post declared that King had "diminished his usefulness to his cause, his country, his people."

You can really see how desperately the establishment wanted him gone, and they granted themselves their own wish with his planned assassination.

unsung

vant0037 wrote:

unsung wrote:

Whatever.

Somehow, I don't you were very interested in what others thought about this quote.

I'm interested in the topic, not some cheap attempt at a Ron Paul dig. That's why I didn't really acknowledge it, it wasn't worth the time. I'm surprised you couldn't see that lawyer.

brianlux

As with Who Princess, I'd want to know within what context was Dr. King's statement made.

DriftingByTheStorm

brianlux wrote:

As with Who Princess, I'd want to know within what context was Dr. King's statement made.

it was vietnam.
i answered that for you, directly below her post.
does everyone on this forum have me on their ignore list?
sheesh.

Who Princess

DriftingByTheStorm wrote:

MLK wrote:

I come to this magnificent house of worship tonight because my conscience leaves me no other choice. I join with you in this meeting because I am in deepest agreement with the aims and work of the organization which has brought us together: Clergy and Laymen Concerned about Vietnam. The recent statement of your executive committee are the sentiments of my own heart and I found myself in full accord when I read its opening lines: "A time comes when silence is betrayal." That time has come for us in relation to Vietnam.

Beyond Vietnam: A Time To Break Silence - Speech Transcript

So the quote is not even his. He was quoting a document written by the organizers of a meeting where he spoke.

I'd thought it might be about Vietnam. He considered a long time before he began to express his opposition to the war and it cost him a lot of support.

DriftingByTheStorm

Who Princess wrote:

DriftingByTheStorm wrote:

MLK wrote:

I come to this magnificent house of worship tonight because my conscience leaves me no other choice. I join with you in this meeting because I am in deepest agreement with the aims and work of the organization which has brought us together: Clergy and Laymen Concerned about Vietnam. The recent statement of your executive committee are the sentiments of my own heart and I found myself in full accord when I read its opening lines: "A time comes when silence is betrayal." That time has come for us in relation to Vietnam.

Beyond Vietnam: A Time To Break Silence - Speech Transcript

So the quote is not even his. He was quoting a document written by the organizers of a meeting where he spoke.

I'd thought it might be about Vietnam. He considered a long time before he began to express his opposition to the war and it cost him a lot of support.

well, to be fair, they are "the sentiments of [his] own heart."


and i think his hesitancy to speak out was a pragmatic concern.
his words from his famous last "mountaintop" speech, "i may not make it there with you", reflect what obviously were his very real concerns over his assassination. I'm sure King knew, even above and beyond his socio-economic medling, and his race "instigating" (as viewed by the racists he was antagonizing), that his vocal dissent on what was clearly an establishment war would not go over well. Unfortunately he was right. :(

CAVSTARR313

Who Princess wrote:

DriftingByTheStorm wrote:

MLK wrote:

I come to this magnificent house of worship tonight because my conscience leaves me no other choice. I join with you in this meeting because I am in deepest agreement with the aims and work of the organization which has brought us together: Clergy and Laymen Concerned about Vietnam. The recent statement of your executive committee are the sentiments of my own heart and I found myself in full accord when I read its opening lines: "A time comes when silence is betrayal." That time has come for us in relation to Vietnam.

Beyond Vietnam: A Time To Break Silence - Speech Transcript

So the quote is not even his. He was quoting a document written by the organizers of a meeting where he spoke.

I'd thought it might be about Vietnam. He considered a long time before he began to express his opposition to the war and it cost him a lot of support.

I'd say you are officially a badass!

But, I do agree with the statement..

I read somewhere, something like " for evil to run rampant, good men must just do nothing"

I am sure it is a known quote and phrased way better.. but still.. The feeling is there in everything like this..