The AP reports a study showing that white people are more likely to think they see racial progress and four times less likely to participate in MLK Day activities. And this is surprising to who, exactly?
Three-fourths of the people in this country say there has been significant progress toward equality, but only 66 percent of blacks felt that way…
Just under a fourth of the population said they planned to commemorate King’s birthday on Monday. A solid majority of blacks, 60 percent, said they would be involved…
Fewer than one in six whites, 15 percent, planned to commemorate the day, the poll found.
– AP Poll: Blacks Likelier to Celebrate MLK
As is my wont, I observed the occasion with Chapel Hill’s usual progressive coalition of lefties of all flavors. The crowd included elected officials, student activists, the Chamber of Commerce, the Black Workers for Justice, the local NAACP, and the Raging Grannies. The rally was good, and moderately inclusive.
The church service always goes on too long, has more God than I like, and has more Jesus than I can stand, and this year was no exception. BUT this year we were also rocked by the radical sermon of the Rev. William Barber, recently-elected president of the North Carolina Conference of the NAACP. Most memorable line: he said he’s working on being a pacifist, but right now he’s just a “peace-ifist.” Most important lesson: “Silence [in the face of injustice] is betrayal.”
Bonus link: Download or play an MP3 of Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
