Some of you may remember an old television show called "Big Blue Marble". It's opening stressed the humanity of all types of people from all over the world. It was from an era post-MLK and the civil rights movement, but not so far removed that it didn't display some of the energy of that time. This is the opening song from that series.
I was, but a wee lad at the time. I was raised in a family that taught the principles of the civil rights movement. My parents were going to be part of Robert Kennedy's campaign prior to his assassination. My Dad taught me to treat everyone the same, based on their merits, not on what they looked like. I have taught this to my son. When did it become acceptable for 'leaders' to use race to divide us? There were racist examples from Democratic-minded people as well as Republican-minded people, but these examples did not define entire groups of people. Did they?
Lets listen to another song from this era by 3 Dog Night, This song was inspired by one of the most significant Supreme Court decisions in the history of the court. The case was <em>Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education.</em> The end result of this litigation was to outlaw segregation. It was a primary driver of the civil rights movement.
Again, the message is clear. People are people. Racism is wrong. I absorbed this message. Growing up as a Jewish kid in a predominately Jewish town, I didn't experience discrimination. I did once I went to college, and then on into adult life. I am now 43 and have seen more anti-Semitism than at any other point in my life. This should not be the case. What happened to our society?
Moving forward in time, do you remember the project called USA For Africa? This was a highly popular and promoted effort to help stem starvation in Africa. This is the song from that effort called "We Are the World". Note the similarity in the opening image in comparison to Big Blue Marble. Note the racial mix of the people performing.
USA For Africa We are the world
There were other social causes that were addressed in similar ways during this time period. This was an effort to unify us to help solve a problem. Another song from this era reinforcing love, reconciliation, and healing. "Ebony & Ivory" by Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney. The video depicts various 'opposing' groups getting along, having fun, and not hating each other. Why is this message being forgotten?
One of the famous music performers of all time, Michael Jackson, produced a song called "Black or White" in the early 90's. The video especially communicates the message. He travels around the world singing and dancing with people from all kinds of different cultures and dance styles, with the message once again that all people are valuable and worthy of respect, regardless of physical differences. Note again the use of the globe as in Big Blue Marble.
Michael Jackson Black or White
I grew up loving music, from many different genres. These songs, while not necessarily my taste in music, resonated with me as I grew up because their message is beautiful. That message is being torn apart by people like Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and even Barack Obama. I will avoid going into the political reasons for why I say this because this article is more of a call to action by you and yours. To me and mine. Our country is not this simmering pot, boiling over with racial hatred. We cannot allow these people to rewrite history. Our history does not only include our sins. Our history includes resounding successes in every generation, in every facet of life, from every type of people. We cannot let them destroy Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream.
This is his speech in its entirety. It's in black and white film, but if you pay attention you can see that lots of different kinds of people were in attendance. This speech, his movement, his tireless efforts, resulted in the Civil Rights Act, the only national holiday dedicated to a person that was not a president, and a legacy that places him as one of the most amazing Americans of all time. As a Reverend in the Baptist church he took God's message of love for all people and ran with it. He remains a hero to many people, including me. God bless him.
MLK I have a dream Full Speech
on September 10, 2013, by Bill Frank