I Have a Dream: The Party Is Over

In my years being involved in the political process, I believed that party membership had it's privileges. However today, I am convinced that while I can and will support individual candidates for public office, my days of valuing party membership are nearing their end. And this is why.

As any reader of this blog knows, I am a populist progressive. I believe that both parties are in dire need of embracing their grassroots and moving their agendas forward in a way that benefits people. As Paul Wellstone, the late FDL Senator from Minneaota said, "Politics isn't about big money or power games; it's about the improvement of people's lives." Clearly this is not the environment that we are in today.

I believe that the far Right has recognized this and it's Tea Party is a movement that feeds off the frustration that people have in mistrusting the government. Troubling is that the feeding of mistrust has burned from raw emotion and does not rely on much fact.

The far Left, on the other hand, is reeling in bitterness over helping to elect a President and Congress that may only slightly better than its predecessor on important issues. The left is not short on emotion either, but does value good information to make decisions from.

In following the debate on health care reform, it has become imminently clear that a world-class health care program for those without access will not happen and it is not because of demand or good information, it is because of ham-fisted politics. As long as those interests who fund campaigns and write legislation continue to hold sway, it does not matter which party is in power.

On this, the eve of Martin Luther King's birthday, I have a new dream. I dream of a multiparty democracy where no two parties can accomplish their will without collaboration from a third and/or fourth party. Said differently, it is in the national interest of this country to end our dependency on the two party system.

I have a dream that our children and grandchildren will support candidates from the Green Party and Socialist Party, as others support Natural Law or Libertarian candidates. I may not be there to see it with you, but I'd look forward to the seeds being sown in my lifetime.

I have a dream that a Green President will have to negotiate with a Republican/Libertarian majority House, and a Democratic/Socialist majority Senate.

My guess is it will create a challenging environment to get the People's business done, but I also believe that better legislation will come out of it. I also believe that people who have a genuine commitment to public service will step up and true progress can be made.

I look forward when the character of one's soul holds more sway than the letter on the person's voter's registration card. If we can arrive at a place where we can deal with our problems in ways that benefit people, we will be, in the word's of the spiritual, "Free at last, free at last..."

MLK- ing It for All It's Worth

I, like most Americans, am very glad for the adulation that Barack Obama is being heaped with in the media and by the public and believe that he can live up to the hype. However, having lived through part of the civil rights movement and remembering exactly where I was when Martin Luther King was murdered, I take some exception to the easy comparisons between these two men. Martin Luther King's legacy is sealed while Barack Obama's is still being formed.

These men are both exceptional, but, for those who don't know, Martin Luther King entered college at the the age of 15 and graduated seminary at the age of 19. He completed his PhD studies at Boston College at the age of 26. Barack Obama, was the editor of the Havard Law Review and graduated Havard at the age of 30, after having been a activist in Chicago for three years.

Martin Luther King was 26 when he joined Rosa Parks and became the spokesperson for the Montgomery Bus Boycott and by 27 formed the Southern Christian Leadership Council that continues even today. By the time that Barack Obama was elected to the Illinois State House at the age of 36, Martin Luther King had visited Mohatmas Gandhi to study his method of non-violent activism, wrote his famous letter from the Birmingham, Alabama jail, helped form CORE, led numerous protests, been named Time's Man of the Year, and received the Nobel Peace Prize.

He also lived long enough to see his work attacked by Malcom X, segregationists, and to be called "the most dangerous and effective Negro leader in the country" by the FBI (who also had him under constant surveillance).

After the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were passed, he turned his attention to the Vietnam War and on poverty and racism. Poverty and a living wage were his cornerstone issues at the time he was assassinated in April 1968.

Certainly President Barack Obama has the opportunity to use his power to address the poor, who are still seeking justice from bad educational opportunities, higher unemployment and incarceration rates, and limited affordable housing. Perhaps he will turn to the teachings of King who said "Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love. And this is what we must see as we move on."

Barack Obama can be a transformational figure in American life, but legacies are formed by the actions that are taken and the wisdom of those actions in uncertain times. Dr. Martin Luther King rose to those times with actions that had a sure-footedness to them. Hopefully, as a politician, Obama will be able to stand firm on those issues that bring justice to those who have been long denied. If he is able to do this, his legacy will be secured.

Will Obama Get Us to Step Up Our Game?

The stakes for President-Elect Obama's stay at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. are exceptionally high, as are the expectations of this nation. We are in the crossroads. On the one hand, we are are in dire economic straits, embroiled in wars that challenge us, and have an environmental crisis that demands our full attention; on the other hand, we have seen history made and have the leadership and opportunity to build a legacy that lives up to promise of a free people.

It is fitting irony that Barack Obama will begin his job the day after fallen Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King's life is celebrated. To say that Obama is standing on the shoulders of a giant is not crediting either his own accomplishments or ours as a nation. And, without Martin Luther King, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, there could not have been a President Obama. Nor without Abraham Lincoln, John Kennedy, and Lyndon Johnson could we shed our oppressive past.

But there is much to do and very little time to reflect on our past. The Inauguration is heralded as historic, and rightly so. However, it is historic not only because of what has happened before, but because it marks what will be and what must come next.

And what will come? Congress has got to act decisively to pass legislation that helps people back to work, to keep their homes, to take care of their kids, and to improve the global environment. It must work with President Obama to roll back the damage done from the excesses of both the Clinton and Bush eras. The petty nature of politics has to be challenged to produce results.

And then, will we as Americans and world citizen's also do our part. Will we forego our lesser needs to address those huge needs that loom ahead? Will we move past our consumer-based view of government and participate in our democracy by fixing those things that government can't and supporting those things that government can?

We can not expect that any one person can make things better for the rest of us, if we don't join the march. If history teaches us anything, it teaches us that it wasn't the time that King spent in the Birmhingham jail that made the change to civil rights or the march on Selma, it was Rosa Parks, the Freedom Riders, and the good acts by millions of nameless people that were inspired by King that caused the walls to tumble down. Now come the time to build up.

His Truth is Marching On

The words of Martin Luther King resonate as loudly today as when he said them.

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom."

"Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation."



"Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent."

A State of Race

Cowardice asks the question - is it safe?
Vanity asks the question - is it popular?
Expediency asks the question - is it political?
But conscience asks the question - is it right?

There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, popular, or political; but because it is right.
~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. challenged us with his dream "that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." In Iowa City, there are recent examples to suggest that day is not this day:

- As I joined with 250 people on January 20th at a service commemorating Dr. King's life and work, I heard our former mayor and current council member, Ross Wilburn, reflect personally that he was recently called a "the N word" by a woman who passed by him hurriedly exiting a grocery store.
- The results of a poll that was taken at City High School late last year about our youth's intolerant opinions about race, religion, and sexual orientation.
- Online comments at the Press-Citizen with veiled comments referring to "people from Chicago" and "those people."
- School leaders who are so concerned about the influx of poor students that they single out the one's with the largest minority student populations for focused concern.
- Rules at a local bar about what is appropriate attire that, on the face, discriminates against some persons of color.

The picture is not all bleak.

- A recent meeting of progressive political leaders that I attended reflected that human relations were of major concern and that there are people in the community working on the proposition of how to best address what to do to improve these relationships.
- The decision to revamp the Police Review Board is further proof that citizens of goodwill want accountability for bad behavior.
- The existence of HARRT (Hate Action Rapid Response Team)to address serious problems in the community.
- Barack Obama winning the Democratic caucus handily in Johnson County and the state.
- The local area Chambers of Commerce sponsorship of Diversity Focus whose mission is to enhance the diversity of the corridor.

And we need to be honest and say that the coin is two-sided. Persons of color have prejudices too. The lessons of the past revisit every generation regardless of color. And, perhaps, it is more understandable if a person is visibly in the minority for that person to feel fear--which is what prejudice ultimately is.

But we need to realize that every generation needs to learn the lessons of past generations. Race relations do not improve by ignoring history, but by embracing it. Unfortunately, as Americans, we like the idea of "moving on" and "getting over it" much more than understanding cause and effect.

As people of goodwill know, the best antidote for racism is open and safe communication. The ability for all people to air their grievances is cathartic and leads to healing. All people learn hate, we are not born with it. Watching small children play is all the example we need to know this.

Let us all be better teachers of our children or, perhaps, learn from them.

Telling Our Story of Race Relations in Iowa

Telling Our Story of Race Relations in Iowa

Members of the Consultation of Religious Communities in Iowa City are having an interfaith celebration of the life and works of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 7 pm Sunday, January 20, 2008 at First Christian Church.

First Christian Church is located at 900 Lincolnshire Place at North Dubuque St.

“Where We Have Come From” Marilynne Robinson,
The David J. Skorton-F. Wendell Miller
Professor of Creative Writing
and the recipient of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize in fiction for Gilead

“Where We Are Now” Ross Wilburn,
Iowa City Council Member and former Mayor,
Equity Director,
Iowa City School District

Celebration music by
Gospel Explosion Ministry,
Disciple Strings, The Voices of Experience,
Barbara Buddin and Paul Soderdahl

The offering will benefit the Ecumenical Minority Scholarship Fund.

Come for conversation and refreshments following the service.

MLK Does a Body Good: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Week) Events

Below are a number of events in Iowa City commemorating the life, works, and memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who said, "A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus."

Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week
Moving Forward Together Series
Date: 01/17/2008 Time: 11:30am-01:00pm
Location: 15 , Schaeffer Hall
Sponsor: OSL/ Human Rights Week Committee / Phone: 335-3059
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Martin Luther King Interfaith Celebration Service

The interfaith celebration is part of Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week.

When: 7 p.m., Sunday, January 20, 2008
Where: First Christian Church
Admission: Free
More information: 319-335-3059
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week
Interfaith Dialogue Breakfast
Date: 01/21/2008 Time: 10:00am
Location: APACC
Sponsor: OSL/ Human Rights Week Committee / Phone: 335-2719
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week
Human Rights Awareness Social
Date: 01/21/2008 Time: 11:00am-01:00pm
Location: Colonial Lanes Bowling
Sponsor: OSL/ Human Rights Week Committee / Phone: 335-3059
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation
The convocation will be in the second floor ballroom.

When: 4:30 to 6 p.m., Monday, January 21, 2008
Where: Iowa Memorial Union
Admission: Free
More information: 319-335-3994
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Martin Luther King Day of Service
Meet in the east lobby.

When: 9 a.m., Monday, January 21, 2008
Where: Iowa Memorial Union
Admission: Free
More information: Mary Mathew Wilson (319) 335-7589
Link: go here
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Stomping Out Stereotypes Discussion
As part of Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week, a discussion about stereotypes will be in the Illinois Room (room 348).

When: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Where: Iowa Memorial Union
Admission: Free
More information: (319) 335-3059
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week AGEP Annual MLK Celebration
The celebration will be in the second floor ballroom.

When: 4 p.m., Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Where: Iowa Memorial Union
Admission: Free
More information: 319-335-6223
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week
An Evening of Poetry
Date: 01/22/2008 Time: 06:00pm
Location: Afro-American Cultural Center
Sponsor: OSL/ Human Rights Week Committee / Phone: 335-3059
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week
Diversity Discussion
Date: 01/23/2008 Time: 12:15pm
Location: HP Conference Room, 256 , General Hospital
Sponsor: OSL/ Human Rights Week Committee / Phone: 335-3059
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week
Community of Color: Getting Connected
Date: 01/23/2008 Time: 04:30pm
Location: Van Oel Multipurpose Room , Currier Hall
Sponsor: OSL/ Human Rights Week Committee / Phone: 335-3059
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Dialogue on Diversity Workshop
The workshop, part of Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week, will be in the Kirkwood Room (room 257).

When: 6 p.m., Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Where: Iowa Memorial Union
Admission: Free
More information: 319-335-3059
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week
Bayard Rustin: To be Black, Gay and a Civil Rights Leader
Date: 01/23/2008 Time: 06:00pm
Location: LGBT Resource Center
Sponsor: OSL/ Human Rights Week Committee / Phone: 335-3059
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week
"Beyond Vietnam: A Time To Break Silence"
Lecture & Panel Discussion
Date: 01/23/2008 Time: 07:00pm
Location: Bijou Theater , Iowa Memorial Union
Sponsor: Graduate Social Work Student Assoc.
Contact: Emily Blaedel / Phone: 358-6646
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week
"The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in Hollywood"
Date: 01/24/2008 Time: 04:00pm
Location: Conference Room 2032 , Library
Sponsor: OSL/ Human Rights Week Committee / Phone: 335-3059
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week
!Salud!
Film
Date: 01/24/2008 Time: 05:00pm-07:00pm
Location: Minnesota Room, 347 , Iowa Memorial Union
Sponsor: OSL/ Human Rights Week Committee / Phone: 335-3059
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week
J{AMnesty} Human Rights Benefit Concert
Date: 01/24/2008 Time: 06:00pm
Location: Old Brick, 26 E. Market
Sponsor: UI Amnesty International/Global Health
Contact: Shajia Ahmad / Phone: 573-8366
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week
"Las Mujeres" de la Caucus Chicana
Film
Date: 01/24/2008 Time: 07:30pm
Location: Iowa City Public Library, Room A
Sponsor: OSL/ Human Rights Week Committee / Phone: 335-3059
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week
"I Got Something to Say: A Black Woman's Sonata"
Date: 01/24/2008 Time: 08:00pm
Location: Theatre B , Theatre Building
Sponsor: OSL/ Human Rights Week Committee / Phone: 335-3059
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week
Community Outreach Drive
Date: 01/25/2008 Time: 10:00am
Location: 2nd Floor Ballroom , Iowa Memorial Union
Sponsor: OSL/ Human Rights Week Committee / Phone: 335-3059
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week
Diversity Lecture by Jacqueline M. Hughes-Oliver
"Building Bridges from the Past, to the Present, to the Future"
Date: 01/25/2008 Time: 03:30pm
Location: Senate Chambers , Old Capitol
Sponsor: OSL/ Human Rights Week Committee / Phone: 335-3059
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Economic Human Rights Conference
Date: 01/26/2008 Time: 08:00am-05:00pm
Location: Richey Ballroom , Iowa Memorial Union
Sponsor: Economic Human Rights Organization
Contact: Ryan Bopst / Phone: 563-320-1315
Link: http://www.ehr2008.blogspot.com
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Week
"Still Pursuing the Dream"
Potluck/Social Gathering
Date: 01/26/2008 Time: 05:00pm
Location: 1117 University Capitol Center
Sponsor: OSL/ Human Rights Week Committee / Phone: 335-3059