Allen West on Martin Luther King Jr.: Blacks ‘Have Not Overcome’
- Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:06pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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During a brief interview for the National Journal, Rep. Allen West shared some rather profound thoughts on his experience growing up in the Atlanta neighborhood where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was raised, and where Ebenezer Baptist Church was situated.
While West was only a young boy of 10 the day King was assassinated, he recalled the wave of sadness that overwrought his parents, relatives and others in the community, calling it an “incredibly emotional moment.”
One of the things West noted most poignantly, perhaps, is how Dr. King would “be appalled” and have “a tear in his eye” were he alive to witness the current state of the black community.
West, who believes King’s message is as relevant today as it was when it was first delivered, said that “if Dr. King were to come back and see what has become of the black community, he would be appalled: The exorbitantly high unemployment rate, the second- and third-generation welfare families, the rampant decimation of the inner-city black communities, the incarceration rate of young black men, and the breakdown of the black family would all bring a tear to his eye.”
West also added that because the black community has gone “backwards” from King’s dream, “we have not overcome:”
The black community is now existing on a new plantation, a 21st-century plantation [that] enslaves their will and conscience … actually worse than physical slavery. We have gone backwards from Dr. King’s dream; regardless of certain individual success stories, collectively, we are failing. We have not overcome!
When asked if King’s message informed the everyday decisions made in his own life, West responded that indeed the message that matters to him most is “character, not color:”
My elementary school, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, is located across the street from Ebenezer Baptist Church. Therefore, I grew up under the shadow of Dr. King’s legacy, message, and memory. Each day when I would walk down to the Butler Street YMCA, I would pass by Dr. King’s tomb—I would never walk past without looking over and reflecting. The most important message for me is character, not color!
So do you agree with Rep. West’s message? Would Dr. King be appalled by what West describes as a black community that has digressed, rather than progressed? And is there even a comparison to the civil rights movement of Dr. King’s day compared with the equality movements of today?
Bold emphasis in quotes added by The Blaze.
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Comments (250)
UBETHECHANGE
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:29pmShut the hell up racist troll!
Report Post »lemmings4obama
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:28pmI didn’t know that was on the progressive agenda, thanks for showing us your true colors. We already knew you progressives felt that way from planned parenthood and all the hand out programs.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:27pmI agree with Col. West: The Black Community is far worse off today than it was even when I was a child. And, guess what? It is their leaders’ fault. I guarantee you Barbara Jordan would also be appalled at the way the Black Community as remained tied to the slavery of dependence. There really is NO EXCUSE anymore. Black people in AMERICA have been afforded every opportunity to better themselves over and over and over again. Some have chosen to do so. Far too many have not made that decision. Same can be said of the white people, esp. the younger “I gotta have THIS” generations. Not good. folks.
I do so admire Lt. Col. Ret. Allen West. He is my first choice for President of the USA starting now.
Mr. Herman Cain is my second choice.
Both are GODLY, honorable men.
We are blessed that they are both on the political scene at the same time.
Ditto Marco Rubio, Chris Christie and others.
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND PROTECT OUR coming-leaders! IN JESUS’ NAME,amen.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:13pmAmen!!!
Report Post »cbazan3
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:27pmThe d-bags and the welfare state have destroyed the Black Community.
Report Post »mutslie
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:50amHey’…. they destroyed em‘selves they could have been Americans’ now their negrooos africnAmerican (spelling mistakes ‘on purpose’) ‘to me there just stinking neggroose’ (ya know?) THNIK
( think)
Report Post »semihardrock
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:27pmSOME HOW….I would bet my life that “race baiter” Al Sharpton would STRONGLY disagree with Mr West analysis of the “Black Community”
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:26pmCol. ALLEN WEST, Throw your hat into the RING….AMERICA NEED YOU FOR POTUS!!! 2012
Report Post »blue_sky
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:26pmBooo, grow up. It is not all faul of blacks that socialist-progressives and neo-cons made them dependable through welfare and entitlements. In a free market society, there would be opportunity for everyone. There will be rich blacks and poor whites as well (all based on merits.)
Report Post »Gypsy123
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:25pmWest Is right. The white liberals along with the help of Jesse and others like him have created a socialist welfare slavery for the black people. They want a savior not to step up and make a difference because the liberals want them down so they can rule over them, Some how they can’t see this although I believe West sees it
Report Post »Jediusetheforce
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:25pmBlah blah…I wander what his definition of forward means? How much more freedom do the blacks need?
Report Post »Not everyone makes it. Lets look at the mexicans, chinese, arabs. Cut this crap out West. You should be a military adviser not a congressman. Hopefully you get voted out next time. This country is really screwed with this nut job flapping with mouth about blacks or what ever color he wants to use.
ChiefGeorge
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:47pmSeems you are a better judgment of skills than the voters who put him in office. Or maybe there is something else you do not like about West moving up and out of his military experience to help out his country in another fashion. Can’t challenge that can you?
Report Post »SFYMP
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:46pmOnly dirtbag trolls start with blahblah. Please improve your grammar and historical knowledge. You can’t stay a troll forever now can you? Character…not Color.
Report Post »kaykaymoore
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 10:12pmJedi, besides hiding your face (like most of the thugs) you do not have any idea or positive remark … you sound like soooo many in country today. Americans are sick of this type rhetoric and lies being passed around like you. Do you know Allen West? Have you heard him speak, read his comments, followed his military career, voted for or against him, heard his no-nonsense speeches, feel his valor and patriotism, how he feels about OUR constitution, has family values, and is an inspiration to many whether they or black, white, brown… your are no JEDI more like DARTH VADER
Report Post »Jediusetheforce
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 11:38pmTempers Fly—TEA
Report Post »Jediusetheforce
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 11:43pmI’ve heard the boy talk about voting with the other Repubs for raising the debt ceiling. Ron Paul would whip his black *** in an election. Maybe you dreamers need to do your homework+extra credit. White boys don’t know Jack in the Hood!!.
Report Post »Ookspay
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:25pmMossbrain is a leftist liberal troll, designed to make conservatives angry and cast them in a bad light. In reality he is a mind numbed un-interesting turd.
Report Post »kaykaymoore
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:24pmAbsolutely, Dr. King was a true orator and wanted better for the black race and he gave his life for that. Allen West says the truth in what is happening … the black community has gone backwards. Third generation welfare, gangs, drugs, teen pregnancy (more $$ for more kids), loss of pride, entitlements, black on black crime, dropouts, and the trashed black neighborhoods from small towns to large cities across this country. And now, the new FLASH MOBS where black kids are stealing, beating and harassing – mostly whites and white-owned businesses. Read the papers, go see the cities, watch crimes committed while being taped on television. NO SHAME, NO RESPECT !!! I think MLK would not only have tears but be ASHAMED! Allen West is my choice for President and I’ve been trying to help in my small way for this to happen… By the way, I was 2 streets from Main St. Memphis when he was murdered AND…. I’m a whilte, 63 yr. old female that believes what Allen West says because I’ve seen it happen in Memphis. I moved because of the crime and the inner-city looks like a war zone. Help us Allen West !!!!
Report Post »Jediusetheforce
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:27pmMaybe you should help yourself first. West is best in the military.
Report Post »ramburner
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:04pm@Kay; Good for you! I am 62 and have had to move a few times in my life because of the violent black neighborhoods that continue to grow and take over the good white sections of large cities. We MUST put race behind us in the USA, but blacks must not be babied any longer. The USA has given all it can to help them, and they have used us, and abused us. How long will my people suffer before we stand up and call HATE, HATE, and that is ALL. If blacks want respect, let them give respect. If they want a good job, let them dress like what they want. Pull up those shorts and comb that hair, put on a suit and pass a test on their own to get the position the want. I am tired of giving my income to a bunch of lazy good-for-nothing people who only know how to do drugs and make babies and do drive by shootings. Oh, yes, and cash my paycheck as it comes to their lazy a*$ every week! Enough is enough, let the Good in America start calling it like it is and stop living in a fantasy world.
Report Post »Banter
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:23pmThe paternalistic welfare state started by FDR forever changed this country, and doomed the black communities. There are now families who will never know true freedom in any of their generations, only government enslavement.
Report Post »qban
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 1:19pmThe best example on how the nany state do harm to its own people is Germany. At the end of the cold war, East Germany (the commi side) was way bahind the western side on everything from lifestyle to life expentancy to income per-capita, etc, I think they only were ahead in the founds for the STASSI(Secret police). After the union,the people living under the socialist rule had big problems to start working again, and many missed the handouts and the lack of self-reliance and working ethic. I believe that even today the difference between the two sides are big. They aren’t black and white folks, they are germans( you know, the aryans Hitlers believed were the rulers of the universe). So, the problem is not the race, the problem is the policies the state impose upon the people making them dependent on the goverment to survive. If (Big IF) we get rid of the liberal cr*p , it will take Amerika several generations to become America again. The sad thing is that the whole ideal that make this nation great, is used by its enemies to destroy her. From anti-christianity to pro-gays, pro-abortions, just anything the founders stood for, the liberals are opposed to. Go figure.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:23pmI agree completely with the sentiments expressed by West in this article. The only thing I may differ on is the path that needs to be taken to rectify these issues. Still, kudos to West, it was a stirring piece.
Report Post »YellowFin
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:17pmHuman dignity and having a successful life comes from a desire to do the right thing. To overcome the base and lift yourself up to hold some self respect. This means to look out for your neighbor and do good towards him. To learn righteousness and the meaning of honor. To comb your hair and dress like a classy individual. Now this goes for all people as I have seen some Caucasian people wallowing in their filth and repelling others who see them, worse than animals they were. Bad, filthy language and disrespectful attitudes, flash mobs, riots in Seattle and L.A.
Report Post »The world, for the most part has sunk to such a low sink of debauchery that I can only pray for God’s Kingdom to come, as quickly as possible.
jhmclmr
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:22pmYour an idiot
Report Post »photography czar
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:22pmGiven the state of Progressive organizations like the NAACP, who do not speak up for family, black on black mob violence and entitlements, and the so-called “black leadership” nothing will change. “Progressive” translates to regressive!
The South Central L.A. Tea Party Rally To Expose NAACP Lies took place last month to deal with this issue. I made a youtube slideshow on this event. Please turn on your speakers for Martin Luther King’s speech in the background. Here is the link. Enjoy – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amyFsAf2Q0g
Report Post »Xpat48
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:22pmWell, ……..now.
Report Post »liberalsarealiens
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:20pmMr. West is correct again. Only it applies to all races!
Report Post »shirelover
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:18pmI can only say that I agree with Mr. West, Dr. King would be apalled(?). Welfare has murdered too many people, irrespective of color.
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:08pmDING!
Report Post »I point out that the rot, decay, degeneration, the enslavemnt on the 21st century plantation is not limited to the black communitees. When the debt “crisis” was at its zenith. there were several statements made as to the number of “government check that were supposedly in jeopardy of being un=issued. 70 million! That is alost 1/4 the popultion of this country.
What disturbs me is the systematic degradetion of out socity in general. FDR was the first, LBJ was the second, GWB was the third and now this. The government of this country- in its current state encourages the destruction of the family unit, isolationof individuals, limited communication between individuals, religion in most forms, protection of the weak, elderly, infirm, and chemical dependent. Do youir own study- but not from a book. Most adults still drive it they can still afford it. So, next time you stop a a gas station- convenience store, observe what is going on around you. REAL LY look at the people. The desruction is so near complete from “the bad ol’ days” it will frighten anybody.
bigfatslob
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:15pmYes Allen, way too many fatherless homes, way too much gimee, social promotions in schools, low expectation gubermint jobs via affirmative action, too much violence. Families must stay together, children must finish school, young ladies must protect their virtues ans not look for their illegitament children for welfare money and section 8 house as a carreer.
Report Post »CommonSense66
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:55pmIt is true that there are too many fatherless homes in the African American community. As far as public assistance, there are more whites then blacks on the rolls. As far as affirmative action it is not only for blacks: Women are considered in affirmative action, points for rich kids for college because their parents attended the schools etc. Believe it or not most African Americans get most jobs on their qualifications. There are far too many children born out of wedlock because more African Americans girls keep their babies and do not abort then like others and also section 8 housing is not for blacks only. There may be black young ladies who do not have enough virtues but they are not by themselves! Lastly the rich have many giveme programs too!!
Report Post »Reduce.Our.Govt.Footprint
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:05pmWell put, the strong family is almost non existent today, parenting is the key to a lot of what is wrong with america today, you hit it on the head!!!
Report Post »GoGamecocks
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:24pmCommonsense66-
That is not true- more black women do not keep their babies vs abortion. The black community has a higher death rate than birth rate, due to the frequency of abortion.
Report Post »lemmings4obama
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:15pmI’d like TechEngineer911 to read this article. Like I said yesterday concerning the KC shooting, put character before color. Allen West is an amazing individual!
Report Post »elosogrande
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:14pmLook over the 535 members of Congress today. You probably won’t be able to find a better man (or woman) in the group than Allen West. Use the limus test – character, not color – and you‘ll find that half or more shouldn’t even be there.
Report Post »BrerRabbit
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:13pmA man of character! If only the black community would listen.
Report Post »Dr. Insane O
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:12pmMLK was surrounded by communists and patronized white prostitutes.
Why would anyone want to emulate this guy?
Report Post »lemmings4obama
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:19pmWhen emulating someone, most people try to emulate the good characteristics.
Report Post »miles from nowhere
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:11pmThe Blacks have had a lot of help staying poor, the Democratic Party makes sure they stay that way and the NAACP keeps them dependent on Government handouts. Blacks have the same problem Obama has BLAME everyone else for your problems and do nothing to help yourself.
Report Post »robert
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:25pm“…..“if Dr. King were to come back and see what has become of the black community, he would be appalled: The exorbitantly high unemployment rate, the second- and third-generation welfare families, the rampant decimation of the inner-city black communities, the incarceration rate of young black men, and the breakdown of the black family would all bring a tear to his eye.”
And the black preachers of hate incite the masses of blacks constantly, daily, as do the white liberal fools, telling them that the plight of blacks is due to the hated white man, slavery and oppression which is rampant today.
Blacks will never rise above the level of chaos they are right now if they do not learn to take responsibility for their own lives and quit harping about their failures being someone’s fault other than their own.
Report Post »avenger
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:11pmHey Allen,Martin is a bogus hero created by the libs.Why do you think the feds sealed his file for 50yrs,2027 ! http://martinlutherking.org
Report Post »Oahujack
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:23pmAvenger, you must be too young to know about MLK. He definitely was not created by the libs, he was actually a republican that hated the dems and libs because they fought every civil rights bill that came along.
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:27pmDid MLK Jr. have flaws? No doubt. He is, however, an icon of certain very good ideas.
Report Post »Those ideas (not the people who hijacked them) are very positive and addressing those
ideas as they were presented is good for America.