Iconoclasm in the Internet era
It's cruel to say to a bootless man that he should lift himself up by his bootstraps.---Martin Luther King, Jr., born January 15, 1929
It wasn't long after the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. achieved holiday status in many states that his name began to be besmirched by those with an angrier agenda.
And indeed, in the past week via the Los Angeles Times, we in Los Angeles witnessed an attempt to tear down another icon for another culture, Cesar Chavez, whose legacy is also honored by holiday status in many quarters.
The ease of spreading information in Internet era has made every icon subject to an instant and at many times facile iconoclasm. It's not limited to MLK and Cesar, of course; even Thanksgiving and Christmas have been subjected to iconoclasm around their times of year. Somehow, our presidents have escaped such scrutiny on President's Day---maybe their shortcomings are so manifest that making much stew over them is simply piling on.
On this MLK weekend, and especially on today MLK's true birthday, it's good to take time to honor the "tireless work and indisputable accomplishments" of those who achieve the honor and bear the burden of advancing a cause on behalf of millions. Have a good one, Samistas!
It wasn't long after the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. achieved holiday status in many states that his name began to be besmirched by those with an angrier agenda.
And indeed, in the past week via the Los Angeles Times, we in Los Angeles witnessed an attempt to tear down another icon for another culture, Cesar Chavez, whose legacy is also honored by holiday status in many quarters. The ease of spreading information in Internet era has made every icon subject to an instant and at many times facile iconoclasm. It's not limited to MLK and Cesar, of course; even Thanksgiving and Christmas have been subjected to iconoclasm around their times of year. Somehow, our presidents have escaped such scrutiny on President's Day---maybe their shortcomings are so manifest that making much stew over them is simply piling on.
On this MLK weekend, and especially on today MLK's true birthday, it's good to take time to honor the "tireless work and indisputable accomplishments" of those who achieve the honor and bear the burden of advancing a cause on behalf of millions. Have a good one, Samistas!
Posted by Joseph Mailander @ 1/15/2006 08:31:00 AM
8 Comments:
The LA Times piece on the Chavez famiy has hurt Christina's chance to run for Assembly seat.
Now how embarrassing that Daily News writes an op-ed about city council in today's paper....
CIVIAL CITY HALL
On Wednesday, a truly amazing thing occurred in the Los Angeles City Council's chambers: The nation's highest paid elected municipal officials commenced a meeting, on time....To truly restore civility at City Hall, starting meetings on time is just the first step. Next, Garcetti must ban lobbyists and other influence-peddlers from swarming behind the horseshoe, where they distract attention away from the proceedings while getting the "access" they paid for and wheeling and dealing.
Then, Garcetti's task will be to figure out how to get the council members to pay attention to members of the public who come to testify before the body, often inwardly trembling.
The audacity of this guy!!! He bought LAUSD land that was going for a new school at Taylor Yard. BASTARD!!!
Downtownnews.com
Richard Meruelo's Wild Ride
How the Downtown Real Estate Maverick Built His Empire, And Where He's Going Next
by Kathryn Maese
Many people think of Richard Meruelo as a controversial real estate tycoon who was also a major donor to Antonio Villaraigosa's mayoral campaign. In a way, that is fitting, as both politics and business are touchstones of his family.
Richard Meruelo owns more than 100 acres and 50 properties Downtown, and is planning to break ground on his first new residential project, an ambitious 40-story condo tower. Photo by Gary Leonard.
It was, after all, his real estate savvy mother who started the empire her son would eventually expand from a tiny dress shop at 323 S. Broadway. Today, Meruelo controls more acreage than nearly any landowner Downtown - more than 5 million square feet and 50 properties.
My favorite MLK quote:
"I want the white man to be my brother....not my brother-in-law."
Is the LAT article the reason Andres Irlando pulled out of the Lt. Gov race?
The L.A. articel was just the tip of the iceberg. Why do you think no Latino leaders have come to the defense of the UFW. They know what was going on - everyone does.
12:13 offer proof of that quote please. Dr. King's sister was long married to a BLACK man before he became popular.
Anybody see The Boondocks yesterday? Pretty cool.
1:03
You can find this quote scattered throughout his FBI dossier, or you can just ask his son. Reading your post, you didn't read Dr. King's quote properly.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home