I wish I could just lift this entire editorial up and place it on my blog...but I'm sure that there are some copyright issues involved. I wish this because I'm sure that many will click away from this post without clicking the link and reading it.
This editorial is not about sewing but it does talk about one of my personal heros, Dr. Martin Luther King...and it does describe an event that is occurring this weekend that though it riles my blood, it emphasize the freedoms that we hold so dearly in America for ALL people.
Here are just a few of the words that touched me:
"...Even by those standards, he goes too far. Beck was part of the "we" who founded the civil rights movement!? "No." Here's who "we" is.
"We" is Emmett Till, tied to a cotton gin fan in the murky waters of the Tallahatchie River. "We" is Rosa Parks telling the bus driver no. "We" is Diane Nash on a sleepless night waiting for missing Freedom Riders to check in. "We" is Charles Sherrod, husband of Shirley, gingerly testing desegregation compliance in an Albany, Ga., bus station. "We" is a sharecropper making his X on a form held by a white college student from the North. "We" is Harry Belafonte, Marlon Brando and Pernell Roberts of "Bonanza," lending their names, their wealth and their labor to the cause of freedom.
"We" is Medgar Evers, Michael Schwerner, Jimmie Lee Jackson, James Reeb, Viola Liuzzo, Cynthia Wesley, Andrew Goodman, Denise McNair, James Chaney, Addie Mae Collins and Carole Robertson, shot, beaten and blown to death for that cause.
"We" is Lyndon Johnson, building a legislative coalition of moderate Republicans and Democrats to defeat intransigent Southern Democratic conservatives and enshrine that cause into law.
And "we" is Martin Luther King, giving voice and moral clarity to the cause — and paying for it with his life."
- taken from the editorial in The Seattle Times dated Thursday, August 26th, entitled, "Glenn Beck needs a history lesson on the civil-rights movement" by Leonard Pitts Jr.
Please take a moment and read it.
Carolyn, I am with you. This whole thing is making me sick.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, Glen Beck is an idiot...pure and simple. It amazes and discourages me that he actually has "followers". Wake up, people!
ReplyDeleteBut, your right. He has a right to spew his drivel. And I have a right to NOT pay attention.
Thank you so much for posting this Carolyn! I enjoyed reading that editorial very much and emailed the link to a few people I thought would find it interesting as well. Glen Beck makes me sick on any given day, but this is totally uncalled for and terrible. It makes my blood boil. All those people that worked so hard for their freedoms...I am just at a lose for words. I know he has the freedom to say things like this, but it really saddens me that people out there actually believe the things he says and follow him. Great post! I am so glad you posted it!
ReplyDelete*SO* trying not to pay attention to him and his little followers. Let's face it, all he wants is attention, and don't get me started on the ex-Gov of Alaska!
ReplyDeleteHe's hoping for 5 million people. Ha! My guess? 50K at most.
As a Canadian, and one with a family of many backgrounds, I just do not understand Beck or why anyone listens to him and his crew. There is freedom of speech but some of this is awful close to what we in Canada call hate crimes. I am particularly concerned with the treatment of the first family. I watch this with concern and hope the majority continues to call this out for what it is.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, thanks for posting the link. I heard about Glenn Beck's event in passing yesterday while taxiing kids around and was disturbed by his appropriation of the civil rights movement. His arrogance never ceases to amaze me.
ReplyDeleteOn a slightly different but still political topic, I might suggest that you check out yesterday's Fresh Air broadcast. I only heard part of it but it was enlightening. I'm planning to find the podcast and listen to the entire broadcast.
Love your blog. It is a joy to read. Being able to observe your creative process has inspired me. THANKS
Thanks for sharing this with us. I will defend Beck's right to say stupid things...but I pray that people will wake up and realize what he stands for. Our country has come too far to start this backward slide we see occuring!
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping us think about what is going on!
Carolyn, this is an amazing editorial. How anyone can be seduced by Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh or Sarah Palin is beyond me. They and their followers have the unique ability to distort facts and rewrite history for thier own gain. Thank you for posting this editorial.
ReplyDeleteYou are damn right Carolyn. When I was 13 years old, living in a segregated (all white) neighborhood, a black family moved in. The man was shot while he was chopping wood. As he staggered, the chainsaw dropped to his leg and amputated it and he quickly bled to death. The police did not solve the crime. WHAT?
ReplyDeleteThis is in MY LIFETIME? There was always a feeling amongst the neighbors that it was a hate crime and the police did not care. Chilling.
These haters are DANGEROUS.
follow-on comment, we only lived there for one year. That unsolved murder was one of the reasons my mother wisely chose to move the family.
ReplyDeleteWe can often think that common sense will prevail - but the enormous popularity of Palin, Beck, Limbaugh, etc. is proof that a lot of befuddled people are out there.
I read it and I agree completely.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw He-who-must-not-be-named-or-he'll-get-more-attention on the news this morning I was just, well, embarassed. I just ignore him & hope he goes away.
Thanks for pointing this article out, it was very moving. Beck is such a ridiculous caricature of white male privilege that I thought this 'reclaiming the civil rights movement' business was a joke when I first heard about it. Have you ever heard of Poe's law? http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Poe%27s_Law Enough said.
ReplyDeleteBeck's choosing this date and location makes me nuts! I thought about going to a counter-protest tomorrow (live just outside DC), but think I'm going to avoid all of it. As scary as some of those folks are, I'd be afraid my BF and I would be attacked since we have different skin colors.....great editorial - the optimist in me is hoping for his followers to wake up and stop drinking the koolaid...sigh..
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWow, that will get your blood BOILING! I would love to call this ignorance but clearly it is not. It's blatant disregard and self centeredness at it's best. All I can say is "shame, shame".
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, I couldn't agree more. I don't listen to Beck, but when I do hear his comments, I can't parse the logic of them. They do not make sense. I have to wonder... do people who like him think that, because they don't understand him, that he must be brilliant? I just don't get it.
ReplyDeleteAnd, Robin, OMG. That is one horrible horrible story. It breaks my heart to hear it.
Beck drives me crazy! I wasn't a fan from the get-go, but after the remarks he made about Obama recently on Fox (calling him racist, retracting the statement to revise it with "he has a deep-seeded hatred towards white people" WTH?!), it just sent me over the edge. I'm appalled that he has the following that he does, but I try to take some solace in John Stewart's regular depiction of him on The Daily Show - at least there is a group out there that realizes just how insane Beck really is.
ReplyDeleteI agree that he has every right to spew the dribble that he does, but I have every right to hate it all to the core of my being.
/steps off soapbox
Carolyn, I clicked on the link, and thank you. It's helpful to see someone call this disgusting garbage what it is. "Robbing he graves of martyrs" is exactly right. I applaud you for your willingness to allow them their freedom of speech. I know what strength of character that requires. I'm old enough to remember much of the civil rights struggle (witnessed from a safe position as a white child in Canada) and it chills me to the bone to see this blatant racism rearing its ugly head again.
ReplyDeleteI'm a subscriber to your blog. I, like Barack Obama, am biracial, and would have no hesitation in attending the rally. I'm not a bigot, racist or an idiot. Dr.Alveda King will be there, many Project 21 members will be there. My children, grandchild and I have attended tea party rallies and we are the norm.
ReplyDeleteI'm only biracial, my descendants are multiracial. Stories about discrimination are not second hand in my family, I can remember not being allowed to join a playgroup, I can remember my family not being served in a restaurant. I haven't been seduced by any particular political figure, I don't need someone else to do my thinking for me. I just know that my country is on a path that doesn't feel right to me.
And that is the way Glenn Beck feels.
It's your blog and you have the right to say whatever you want. I don't know, this whole thread and some of the comments just made me feel so sad.I'm dangerous, an idiot, I make you sick,a hater,befuddled, someone is in fear that I or someone like me would attack them because of their skin color. Do y'all hear yourselves? Who is being intolerant now? Dr. King spoke for and to all Americans, not just the ones who agreed with him.
And all I did was click on a nice sewing blog...
Thank you for pointing this out. Glen Beck does indeed remind me of the ignorant Jay Walkers. To equate his gathering with anything remotely related to the civil rights movement is rewriting history for the benefit of a very selfish, self involved very vocal minority. It makes my blood boil too. These people are haters, and Dr King was anything but.
ReplyDeletesorry "a", but you didn't say one thing to explain to me what is the appeal in the Tea Party or Glenn Beck.
ReplyDeleteTo a...I am intolerant of bigotry and consider it idiocy. I didn't call anyone an idiot except Glenn Beck. Glenn Beck is a bigot hiding behind the concepts of flag and country and "the people". He has a rather large forum in which to state his beliefs. We have a blog. The playing field is definitely not even, so I don't feel too bad expressing my feelings.
ReplyDeleteI am with you Robin. "a" I worked in politics for a long time and understand anyone exercising their right to not like the direction a particular government is going. Vote and do something about it.
ReplyDeleteBut how does this possibly connect with the civil rights movement? That there is a connection being drawn, in the most disrespectful and inaccurate way, with this president in the White House, is highly concerning.
Robin's story is horrifying. My own children are the only grandchildren of two large families who vanished in the Holocaust.
My only message to them, and on this subject, and I believe the message of those who fought people like Beck for civil rights, is that you have to stand up and say what is wrong, every time you see or hear it.
Glen Beck and his ilk are idiots and demogogues. They'd be funny except lots of people actually believe these fools. They do real damage to our country.
ReplyDeleteRemember, Glen Beck himself characterizes what he does as being a "rodeo clown." I think that should explain it all.
ReplyDeleteI just do not understand how people who hate others and foment hatred can then say that they are on the "right side of history." Glenn Beck doesn't have a clue what life is about. I don't think anyone on the right gives a damn about anyone who isn't white and wealthy. The hatred spouted by the right makes me sick to my stomach.
ReplyDeleteGail D.
Thanks for posting. At the risk of appearing dumb, I've never heard of Glen Beck until today, but it doesn't sound like I'm missing anything worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteOh, Robin. That is such a tragic story.
ReplyDeleteAnd just when you think we are overcoming some of our prejudices in this country, we seem to try to whip up more. Why are we so afraid of people who are different from us? Whether it be skin color, religion, sexual orientation...we all pretty much want the same things: to live in peace, with our neighbors, friends and family, without hurting others. I don't see where all this "I want my country back" stuff comes from, except their guy lost the election.
I am 100 percent in agreement with you, but I agree that those of us who disagree with him need to step back and let him do his foolishness. His rally will be memorable . . . for fizzling out! I wonder how he's going to explain that. It'll be interesting to see what spin he puts on it.
ReplyDeleteI am in total DISagreement with Glen Beck, but once in a while I do listen to his program. It's hard listening to him because he rambles, but I force myself to listen sometimes just so I'll know how much over the edge he's gone. Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to things like this. Knowledge is power. When good people look away from the distasteful, a lot of bad things can happen. History has shown us this over and over again.
Thank you for posting about this.
Em
I have to admit I only read the first two paragraphs of the article. The very mention of that man's name makes my blood boil and my vision go red. He has become a running joke in our household. I agree with you!!
ReplyDeleteCould not agree with you more Carolyn.
ReplyDeleteGlenn Beck is all about self aggrandizement and making more $$ for Glenn Beck. He has a right to do so, but please, to equate this silly rally of his with Civil Rights or Dr. King is a joke. So sad that people who follow this loon are so gullible.
Glen Beck is not an idiot. He is very clever to pander to people's fears and disenchantment. He has used people's fears to become a multi millionare. If he could not make money from his ideology, he would change his tune really fast.
ReplyDeleteHe is a lip service Christian. He uses religion to justify his comments but it rings false. To say that you are a Christian is to state that you live or strive to live "Christ-like". When you are on this path, you give up certain behaviors such as pettiness or harming others by deads or words. There is nothing Christ-like about making fun of or attacking other people.
It is sad that his followers don't look for the truth behind his statements.
Thank you for posting this Carolyn. It's a small thing, but I've shared it on my Facebook page and hope others will as well. Glenn Beck is a sick, twisted creature who seems to get his jollies spreading hatred, lies and venom. As for Governor Quitter, she is simply a bad joke.
ReplyDeleteI don't know which is sadder -- that Glenn Beck's followers believe that America has no honor or that they -- and he -- think he's the one to restore it.
Thank you for posting, Carolyn. I cannot stand the misappropriation of this day by Glen Beck and his followers. It is absolutely shameful...but as you point out, he does have the right to shame himself in this way. I will be deliberately tuning it all out, as he and his ilk are absolutely rage-inducing to me.
ReplyDeleteGlen Beck is a pompous ass. And Sarah Palin is the new face of feminism? Ha!
ReplyDeleteTowanda, you said it perfectly. Beck is not an idiot in the sense that he's not clever. He has definitely figured out how to make a buck. Unfortunately, it's at the expense of our country.
ReplyDeleteHe does spew idiocy, though, and people are buying it. Sadly, that says more about the people following him then, I guess.
BTW, Beck is from Seattle, so it's interesting that the article comes from a Seattle paper. I'm sure, for many people, he's the disgrace of Seattle.
ReplyDeleteGlen Beck is dangerous fascist and don't even get me started on Caribou Barbie
ReplyDeletehi there
ReplyDeletenow we even have heard about it here in switzerland on the national news (and not in a good way either). it seems quite scary. i hope a lot of people realise what he is really saying and use their mind and commonsense.
it does leave a stale taste.
barbara
All We Need Is Love, Love Is All We Need!
ReplyDeleteDid any of you watch the rally? I did because it was also to HONOR OUR SPECIAL FORCES and a fund raiser for the families of those killed in action. I personally could care less who or which political party hosts a rally IF it is in support of our troops. Yes, the last part of the rally became very tent revival in scope and veered off course IMHO, but not one political statement was made....and a little religion never hurt anyone, as my grandma would say!
ReplyDeleteI am not a follower of Glen Beck. I am a retired AF Colonel who supports every troop cause period and could give a crap which political party hosts it. Pres Obama and Michele Obama have done wonderful things for our troops as well and I would watch a similar rally by the 'other party' if one was held.
All of you who spilled hatred in your comments have really shocked me. I have followed many of your blogs for years and to now know how angry and hate filled you are, just turns my stomach.
Gee, maybe that is why I am a proud Independent. I try to openly listen for good ideas from all sides and not freak out when a MLK and Special Operations honor rally is given just because it was not done by a party I favor.
I know most of you are angry at Beck saying 'we'....but I personally would rather see this as a wonderful commentary for MLK that all Americans are embracing his historical fight for Civil Rights and not about childish "It's mine" behavior...I would think we should all be proud that others want to honor him.....does it really matter who does it, as long as Civil Rights is celebrated???
What I believe was a thoughtful article presented by Carolyn turned into a angry hate filled diatribe for Republicans and people who watch Beck. How sad it would be if I did the same thing to Chris Matthew viewers followers.
No wonder this country is in trouble....there is so much hatred on BOTH sides it really makes me ill to listen to it.
I will now go back to radio silence and try to follow your sewing experiences for what they are.
Tina
Tina, I did watch the rally and it's ridiculous to say it was about anything but right wing politics and the glory of Glenn Beck and Governor Quitter. As for the fundraising aspect, I highly recommend you read up on the facts. Did you know, for example, that the military families don't get a time until Glenn recoups the entire cost of this little shindig?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.specialops.org/news/35610/Glenn-Becks-Restoring-Honor-Rally-Supports-Special-Ops-Troops-and-Families.htm
Hi Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteBeen so busy lately I have no time to read blogs anymore but just happened to see what little old Carolyn is up to... dang girl.. When I became a reader of your blog I was like 180.. you have over 500 now. That just shows how sweet and special you are.
Ok, here's my 2cents..
Where the hell were these people the past 10 years?? All the games that were played with us in the last admin. with OBL, 9/11, two wars, dividing this country financially, free speech zones taking our freedom away, no fly list keeping us at home. So many things happened and they sat on their asses. Just a question.. how many tapes have been released by OBL since Obama has been Pres.?? None, and that shows how we were played by BushCo. I am so happy you put this article on your sewing blog!!!! I was a big activists before I started my sewing school. I endured so many bad things trying to speak out (death threats in my mailbox and so much more) All these people who support the Glenn Beck tea"baggers" don't want better for all of us, they only care about their selfish little selves. So, if anyone says I have hate, yeah I do because I know kids who died in Iraq who didn't have to. They talk about how they want their country back and I have to think from who?? The half black President? If anything we are getting our country back from the crap that was done to us for the love of power and money.
Talk it up girl! I believe we should talk about politics because when we don't our country falls apart. We must be involved! We can agree to disagree.. we are all different but when we all talk about it we get a better country. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Now, back to sewing LOL