|
06-10-2008, 06:41 PM
|
|
|
|
Location: North carolina
432 posts, read 1,615,220 times
Reputation: 276
|
|
|
I am Black myself but have a lil question for you... 
Who is the true "hero" in black history? President Abraham Lincoln for ending slavery and free all those people back in 1863 or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for continuing the Civil Rights movement and starting a new era in black history. If in fact both of them are "heroes", why do americans "only" celebrate Mr. King and not even remember the person who started it all...makes you wonder...
Perhaps Martin Luther King Jr has the slight edge, because he did not plunge the nation into a bloody civil war.
Why choose just one. Without Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr might have been a slave down south with no ability to promote civil rights.
On the other hand, Lincoln's assassin's bullet may have delayed the natural developemnt of rights for blacks, at that time, and only a Martin Luther King Jr could finish the job!!!
My answer is both. They were both martyred for others, and deserve respect!!!
We would not be where we are, if not for both contributions.
I refuse to disrespect either martyr. |
|
06-10-2008, 07:02 PM
|
|
|
|
1,129 posts, read 2,617,655 times
Reputation: 604
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by affi
I am Black myself but have a lil question for you...
Who is the true "hero" in black history? President Abraham Lincoln for ending slavery and free all those people back in 1863 or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for continuing the Civil Rights movement and starting a new era in black history. If in fact both of them are "heroes", why do americans "only" celebrate Mr. King and not even remember the person who started it all...makes you wonder...
Perhaps Martin Luther King Jr has the slight edge, because he did not plunge the nation into a bloody civil war.
Why choose just one. Without Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr might have been a slave down south with no ability to promote civil rights.
On the other hand, Lincoln's assassin's bullet may have delayed the natural developemnt of rights for blacks, at that time, and only a Martin Luther King Jr could finish the job!!!
My answer is both. They were both martyred for others, and deserve respect!!!
We would not be where we are, if not for both contributions.
I refuse to disrespect either martyr. |
I'm with you!! And it isn't like the line in those Highlander movies ("There can be only one!") right?  So no problem- I'm for celebrating both!!!!!!! |
|
06-10-2008, 07:50 PM
|
|
|
|
Location: Wheaton, Illinois
10,257 posts, read 20,849,063 times
Reputation: 10394
|
|
|
Both men were great Americans. They had different jobs to do and each did it well.
I find it interesting that King was assasinated when he became involved with economic issues.
|
|
06-10-2008, 08:46 PM
|
|
|
|
Location: ABQ
3,771 posts, read 6,749,965 times
Reputation: 4888
|
|
|
Neat topic to think about.
The only thing I'll say is this: King's goal was extended freedoms to blacks. Abraham Lincoln's goal wasn't really to end slavery. That isn't to say he didn't believe in the cause, but the North's entrance into the civil war had little to do with the slavery of African-Americans. He also deemed it unconstitutional in the early years of war to make slave states prohibit slavery.
That doesn't change how we should feel about Lincoln (I'm certainly not bashing at all, it's just something to take into consideration.)
Having said that, I take King. The reason is I believe it easier to make the initial step to relative freedom than it is to take relative freedom even further, you know?
Sports analogy alert: It's as if you were taking an NBA team whom finished the previous season with the worst record in the league. It is far easier to allow that team the next season to be improved enough to finish in the middle of the pack than it would be to take a middle of the pack team and get them into the championship.
|
|
06-10-2008, 08:51 PM
|
|
|
|
1,129 posts, read 2,617,655 times
Reputation: 604
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Puddy4LyF
Neat topic to think about.
The only thing I'll say is this: King's goal was extended freedoms to blacks. Abraham Lincoln's goal wasn't really to end slavery. That isn't to say he didn't believe in the cause, but the North's entrance into the civil war had little to do with the slavery of African-Americans. He also deemed it unconstitutional in the early years of war to make slave states prohibit slavery.
That doesn't change how we should feel about Lincoln (I'm certainly not bashing at all, it's just something to take into consideration.)
Having said that, I take King. The reason is I believe it easier to make the initial step to relative freedom than it is to take relative freedom even further, you know?
Sports analogy alert: It's as if you were taking an NBA team whom finished the previous season with the worst record in the league. It is far easier to allow that team the next season to be improved enough to finish in the middle of the pack than it would be to take a middle of the pack team and get them into the championship.
|
You are kidding-right? |
|
06-10-2008, 09:03 PM
|
|
|
|
Location: Beaumont, Texas
539 posts, read 1,753,132 times
Reputation: 292
|
|
|
I think that they were both the right people at the right time fighting for their respective right causes. King's message of "Content of One's Character" is supposed to be be about equality for all - not just Blacks. Both were (in regards to civil rights) just one of many who took steps to accomplish this ideal. King's accomplishment wasn't so much about what he could do as much as it is what he inspired others to do for themselves.
|
|
06-11-2008, 06:33 AM
|
|
|
|
Location: ABQ
3,771 posts, read 6,749,965 times
Reputation: 4888
|
|
|
Jadybug, I thought it was cute.
But kidding? Of course not. Do you not agree that the written Black Laws of 1802/04 were easier to write in mainstream society than would King's work of the Civil Rights in the 1960's?
|
|
06-11-2008, 08:21 AM
|
|
|
|
15,015 posts, read 22,509,648 times
Reputation: 26342
|
|
|
Two great americans, you know of course we are going to have a few nuts come out of the woodwords and say "Lincoln was a racist..." and I predict this thread will turn bad. We had a forum on this a few months ago.
Anyways I my vote goes to neither of the 2, although they were important. Instead it goes to Frederick Douglas as probably THEE most important figure in American History to the advancement of african americans.
|
|
06-11-2008, 08:22 AM
|
|
|
|
13,444 posts, read 19,841,187 times
Reputation: 7457
|
|
Quote:
My answer is both. They were both martyred for others, and deserve respect!!!
We would not be where we are, if not for both contributions.
I refuse to disrespect either martyr.
|
I reckon most people would agree with you. In fact, I do not see this as an issue. |
|
06-11-2008, 11:24 AM
|
|
|
|
2,377 posts, read 5,215,662 times
Reputation: 1718
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by uglyblackjohn
I think that they were both the right people at the right time fighting for their respective right causes. King's message of "Content of One's Character" is supposed to be be about equality for all - not just Blacks. Both were (in regards to civil rights) just one of many who took steps to accomplish this ideal. King's accomplishment wasn't so much about what he could do as much as it is what he inspired others to do for themselves.
|
So right,John If everyone saw things this way, I think there would be alot less tension in the world!! |
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
|
|
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
