Quite the incessant placation of ideological dribble intended to fill the vacuum of irrelevance.... Otherwise known as self promotion at the feet of political correctness.
So the greater Black community has had 3 generations to facilitate a cultural, economic, social, educational, intellectual, political, familial, technological and artistic transformation; and failed miserably on all fronts. And white supremacy and institutional racism are the best explanation that Rather and the political/ideological Marxist classes can come up with to blame..... Really, how unimpressive.
Lets take a look at the greater Asian community. We interred Japanese Americans, confiscated all their property, holocaust-ed 2 cities in Japan with nuclear weapons; fire bombed Tokyo killing 100,000 civilians in 1 night, demanded unconditional surrender, deposed their emperor, and Americanized their ancient culture..... and 25 years later by 1970 Japan has rebuilt it's nation, culture, industrial base and is producing all the steel pipes for the Alaska Pipeline.
A decade later they will take over the compact car industry, electronics industry and television sales. Wall Street ponders in the late 80's if Japan will overtake the US as the worlds largest economy.
Japanese have very little difficulty integrating into the US and it's culture. They open restaurants, import their cultural esthetics, thrive economically and continue to rebuild their homeland.... preserving traditional family relationships, culture, art.... while thriving economically and educationally. Note, they do mall this with virtually no violence to any groups or institutions.
Quite the contrasting story when compared to the miserable failure of the Greater Black Community given billions in resources thrown their way; with affirmative action opening doors, with the social concessions of CRT and lowering of standards on all fronts. The GBC should be ashamed of it's dismal failure. Violence towards fellow Blacks, Whites, Asians, Hispanics and any individual simply going about their business in a legal and ethical manner does not constitute cultural and social significance. There are no special rules for special people based on skin color, sexual orientation or cultural background. Bow your heads to the humble notion that the "Great Other" is not responsible for any individual or any ethic groups failure to integrate gracefully into the nation or the world that absolutely has room for us all..... those who choose and strive to be honorable, civil, intelligent, graceful and honest.
What a rich account, saturated with a depth and breadth of first hand experience. I feel SO lucky to be able to hear (read) this directly from Mr. Rather, unfettered and in context. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences Mr. Rather, it is very appreciated!
Please tell us your observations/impressions as you covered MLK's work in the south in 1962. Did you ever face personal danger? How did that experience impact your life? Inquiring minds would like to know.
I lived in the South for a few years. Long enough to get to meet people from there, with their traditions, their daily problems, their resentments and hopes. I liked my friends; they had grown up under the southern sun, with their spicy chicken dishes, salads and barbecues, their beautiful kids and their older generation. They were kind and wanted a peaceful life although weatherwise we really had too much sun especially in the summer. Good memories of special times and special persons. I hope very much they are doing well.
Yes, Dan, MLK had his faults and frailties, but what is a thoughtful person to think of a great public man who plagiarized his doctoral thesis and commited adultery? A Black Elmer Gantry, maybe?
If MLK were alive an appropriate question to ask him would be, do you agree that Blacks have made enormous strides in every field, including medicine, the law, news reporting and any other profession you can thing of?
Legislation that provided for increased opportunities for inclusion of minorities and women made a difference in welcoming outsiders into a white, male-dominated workplace. The government has an awesome responsibility in providing legislation that protects and insures full participation of all segments of our society .
For this and other reasons we are proud of our achievements as a diverse nation.
We also have to understand that White Supremacy is not always about Whiteness, but it's always about power. Republicans will point to people like Clarence Thomas, Candance Owens, Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell, Allen West, or even Herschel Walker, and say "See, we're not racist at all," including the fake tears of Senator Lindsey Graham regarding appropriate criticisms of Walker during his recent campaign. But ultimately, Republicans only care that their members tow the party line, in order to maximize their consolidation of power, so anyone willing to do that, is in. Powell was willing to lie to the world about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Thomas refuses to recuse himself in cases where he has a clear conflict of interest, such as those concerning January 6th, while people like Owens do their best to cater to the Republican base in the media, knowing that the generation of incessant outrage will also help with the profitability of her own career, a la Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Tucker Carlson, and Ben Shapiro. And having people of color deliver your message, even a message that is ultimately fascist and exclusionary, gives Republicans plausible deniability to the offensiveness of their tactics.
Dr. King was absolutely right! The lingering issue for America is her failure to “cut the REPARATIONS check for American descendants of enslaved people. White peasants immigrating from Europe received land, education on how to farm and the equipment to be successful. White enslavers received repatriations but the people who were forced to give their minds, blood, sweat and tears received NOTHING positive! Prosperous Black communities were destroyed, residents murdered and valuables looted by white mobs but none held accountable.It’s time to right the wrongs by paying reparations NOW!
We are blessed to have someone like you providing content and context, Dan. The breadth of your career and experience over so much time is a wealth for us to be celebrated and admired. I was five years old at the time of that Face the Nation broadcast, having been jolted by President Kennedy's assassination the November before. My great grandmother died shortly after and I remember asking her son, my grandfather, "Who shot her?" As I had experienced, it was the only way that people could die. Little did I know the sixties would add two more such travesties with Dr. King and Robert Kennedy at age ten, the latter for whom I had high hopes of becoming president. Today, Pete Buttigieg reminds me of how I felt about Robert Kennedy. Hope springs.
You nailed this. The parallels of your trajectories are striking, and much of the work of MLK is seemingly preserved in resin; time to fracture that encasement and move forward.....
The Republican Party is a Fascist White Christian Establishment Libertarian anachronism masquerading as a political party that has a serious policy agenda focused on lifting up the least powerful economic strata of our society. If Martin Luther King had not been assassinated, I have a hunch he would have pulled back the curtain on this charade and would have focused the energy of his followers on helping the Democratic Party increase Democratic voter registration and turnout in every state in every election at every level of government, knowing that a 63% turnout in a democracy opens the door to fascism.
1968 was a terrible year for everyone but especially this 15 year old. It began hopeful enough with Senator Eugene McCarthy declaring his candidacy as the anti-war president. Although LBJ had become the most important president since FDR in passing much needed social legislation, he was trapped by the Vietnam war. And then the most unbelievable tragedy with the assassination of MLK. A short time later, RFK. And then the spring and summer of street troubles culminating in Chicago at the democratic convention. Although I was already hip to the radical movements of the day, I despised the Chicago 7, the Abbie Hoffmans and everyone. I already knew there would be a national backlash and it came to pass with the election of Nixon.
During the earlier street riots after MLK assassination, I recall an ignorant remark made by my father that, “It’s not the ones born in Hartford (my hometown) that’s causing all the trouble (problems). It’s the ones coming up from the south.” That comment has echoed in my mind for decades. He was so wrong — or maybe he was right. Maybe it was the Black folks migrating from up from the south that were more energized to protest and demonstrate and yes, engage in street riots over the killing of the great man of peace.
I think I feel 1968 ended my days of innocence. I don’t know anymore. We live in such a violent world. Could I ever have contemplated an attempted overthrow of our government from that distant perch. Every year some new tragic violent event materializes. I was too young to attend the March on Washington. Still young, I did attend the huge anti Vietnam war protest in Washington in 1967 at the tender age of 14. I’m rather proud of that commitment. I had an emotional breakdown by 1968 and was unable to visit Resurrection City on the Mall. I always regretted not going. Pete Seeger was the musical organizer and he brought in some beautiful talent some of which was recorded on an album I purchased and which I treasure to this day. It reminds me of 1968.
My main impressions of Dr King comes from watching him on the Sunday morning news panel programs like "Face the Nation"- While the newsmen (not you Dan) generally lobbed common cliches over the net, they never got a cleche answer back. His responses cleared out the fog, telling us in simple words and thoughts about the grief he was battling against.,
Quite the incessant placation of ideological dribble intended to fill the vacuum of irrelevance.... Otherwise known as self promotion at the feet of political correctness.
So the greater Black community has had 3 generations to facilitate a cultural, economic, social, educational, intellectual, political, familial, technological and artistic transformation; and failed miserably on all fronts. And white supremacy and institutional racism are the best explanation that Rather and the political/ideological Marxist classes can come up with to blame..... Really, how unimpressive.
Lets take a look at the greater Asian community. We interred Japanese Americans, confiscated all their property, holocaust-ed 2 cities in Japan with nuclear weapons; fire bombed Tokyo killing 100,000 civilians in 1 night, demanded unconditional surrender, deposed their emperor, and Americanized their ancient culture..... and 25 years later by 1970 Japan has rebuilt it's nation, culture, industrial base and is producing all the steel pipes for the Alaska Pipeline.
A decade later they will take over the compact car industry, electronics industry and television sales. Wall Street ponders in the late 80's if Japan will overtake the US as the worlds largest economy.
Japanese have very little difficulty integrating into the US and it's culture. They open restaurants, import their cultural esthetics, thrive economically and continue to rebuild their homeland.... preserving traditional family relationships, culture, art.... while thriving economically and educationally. Note, they do mall this with virtually no violence to any groups or institutions.
Quite the contrasting story when compared to the miserable failure of the Greater Black Community given billions in resources thrown their way; with affirmative action opening doors, with the social concessions of CRT and lowering of standards on all fronts. The GBC should be ashamed of it's dismal failure. Violence towards fellow Blacks, Whites, Asians, Hispanics and any individual simply going about their business in a legal and ethical manner does not constitute cultural and social significance. There are no special rules for special people based on skin color, sexual orientation or cultural background. Bow your heads to the humble notion that the "Great Other" is not responsible for any individual or any ethic groups failure to integrate gracefully into the nation or the world that absolutely has room for us all..... those who choose and strive to be honorable, civil, intelligent, graceful and honest.
Thank you for your always insightful commentary.
What a rich account, saturated with a depth and breadth of first hand experience. I feel SO lucky to be able to hear (read) this directly from Mr. Rather, unfettered and in context. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences Mr. Rather, it is very appreciated!
Please tell us your observations/impressions as you covered MLK's work in the south in 1962. Did you ever face personal danger? How did that experience impact your life? Inquiring minds would like to know.
Painfully true and well said !
I lived in the South for a few years. Long enough to get to meet people from there, with their traditions, their daily problems, their resentments and hopes. I liked my friends; they had grown up under the southern sun, with their spicy chicken dishes, salads and barbecues, their beautiful kids and their older generation. They were kind and wanted a peaceful life although weatherwise we really had too much sun especially in the summer. Good memories of special times and special persons. I hope very much they are doing well.
Yes, Dan, MLK had his faults and frailties, but what is a thoughtful person to think of a great public man who plagiarized his doctoral thesis and commited adultery? A Black Elmer Gantry, maybe?
If MLK were alive an appropriate question to ask him would be, do you agree that Blacks have made enormous strides in every field, including medicine, the law, news reporting and any other profession you can thing of?
Legislation that provided for increased opportunities for inclusion of minorities and women made a difference in welcoming outsiders into a white, male-dominated workplace. The government has an awesome responsibility in providing legislation that protects and insures full participation of all segments of our society .
For this and other reasons we are proud of our achievements as a diverse nation.
We also have to understand that White Supremacy is not always about Whiteness, but it's always about power. Republicans will point to people like Clarence Thomas, Candance Owens, Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell, Allen West, or even Herschel Walker, and say "See, we're not racist at all," including the fake tears of Senator Lindsey Graham regarding appropriate criticisms of Walker during his recent campaign. But ultimately, Republicans only care that their members tow the party line, in order to maximize their consolidation of power, so anyone willing to do that, is in. Powell was willing to lie to the world about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Thomas refuses to recuse himself in cases where he has a clear conflict of interest, such as those concerning January 6th, while people like Owens do their best to cater to the Republican base in the media, knowing that the generation of incessant outrage will also help with the profitability of her own career, a la Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Tucker Carlson, and Ben Shapiro. And having people of color deliver your message, even a message that is ultimately fascist and exclusionary, gives Republicans plausible deniability to the offensiveness of their tactics.
Dr. King was absolutely right! The lingering issue for America is her failure to “cut the REPARATIONS check for American descendants of enslaved people. White peasants immigrating from Europe received land, education on how to farm and the equipment to be successful. White enslavers received repatriations but the people who were forced to give their minds, blood, sweat and tears received NOTHING positive! Prosperous Black communities were destroyed, residents murdered and valuables looted by white mobs but none held accountable.It’s time to right the wrongs by paying reparations NOW!
We are blessed to have someone like you providing content and context, Dan. The breadth of your career and experience over so much time is a wealth for us to be celebrated and admired. I was five years old at the time of that Face the Nation broadcast, having been jolted by President Kennedy's assassination the November before. My great grandmother died shortly after and I remember asking her son, my grandfather, "Who shot her?" As I had experienced, it was the only way that people could die. Little did I know the sixties would add two more such travesties with Dr. King and Robert Kennedy at age ten, the latter for whom I had high hopes of becoming president. Today, Pete Buttigieg reminds me of how I felt about Robert Kennedy. Hope springs.
You nailed this. The parallels of your trajectories are striking, and much of the work of MLK is seemingly preserved in resin; time to fracture that encasement and move forward.....
The Republican Party is a Fascist White Christian Establishment Libertarian anachronism masquerading as a political party that has a serious policy agenda focused on lifting up the least powerful economic strata of our society. If Martin Luther King had not been assassinated, I have a hunch he would have pulled back the curtain on this charade and would have focused the energy of his followers on helping the Democratic Party increase Democratic voter registration and turnout in every state in every election at every level of government, knowing that a 63% turnout in a democracy opens the door to fascism.
Thank you for your measured, well thought out criticism of the Republican Party.
1968 was a terrible year for everyone but especially this 15 year old. It began hopeful enough with Senator Eugene McCarthy declaring his candidacy as the anti-war president. Although LBJ had become the most important president since FDR in passing much needed social legislation, he was trapped by the Vietnam war. And then the most unbelievable tragedy with the assassination of MLK. A short time later, RFK. And then the spring and summer of street troubles culminating in Chicago at the democratic convention. Although I was already hip to the radical movements of the day, I despised the Chicago 7, the Abbie Hoffmans and everyone. I already knew there would be a national backlash and it came to pass with the election of Nixon.
During the earlier street riots after MLK assassination, I recall an ignorant remark made by my father that, “It’s not the ones born in Hartford (my hometown) that’s causing all the trouble (problems). It’s the ones coming up from the south.” That comment has echoed in my mind for decades. He was so wrong — or maybe he was right. Maybe it was the Black folks migrating from up from the south that were more energized to protest and demonstrate and yes, engage in street riots over the killing of the great man of peace.
I think I feel 1968 ended my days of innocence. I don’t know anymore. We live in such a violent world. Could I ever have contemplated an attempted overthrow of our government from that distant perch. Every year some new tragic violent event materializes. I was too young to attend the March on Washington. Still young, I did attend the huge anti Vietnam war protest in Washington in 1967 at the tender age of 14. I’m rather proud of that commitment. I had an emotional breakdown by 1968 and was unable to visit Resurrection City on the Mall. I always regretted not going. Pete Seeger was the musical organizer and he brought in some beautiful talent some of which was recorded on an album I purchased and which I treasure to this day. It reminds me of 1968.
My main impressions of Dr King comes from watching him on the Sunday morning news panel programs like "Face the Nation"- While the newsmen (not you Dan) generally lobbed common cliches over the net, they never got a cleche answer back. His responses cleared out the fog, telling us in simple words and thoughts about the grief he was battling against.,
One of your best essays
Well done