So, I was telling Mike the other day: Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the few iconic political or cultural figures of the modern era of whose person I never particularly tire. Might life be a little better if the King family hadn’t monetized the hell out of the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech such that the opening sentence has been drilled into ubiquity and often parody? Sure. Again, though, the man himself commands respect in the very confrontational, strident American tradition, as Eugene Robinson argued in May over the ridiculousness surrounding the King Statue.
That inauguration day and MLK Day fall together like this, clearly offers up a happy coincidence, recognized by black Americans, evidently. CNN reported that 69 percent of black Americans believe King’s dream has been realized–double the percentage at this time last year. Captain Ed at Hot Air notes the disparity between black and white Americans on this issue, offering the hesitancy of white Americans to assume they know and understand the black experience in America, which I agree with.
Whether Obama realizes King’s dream depends somewhat on how one perceives the dream politically: As proof of racial equality by virtue of his skin color, or as the triumph of ideas removed from race. You could, I suppose, argue either in this political climate. From a political perspective, the GOP has failed to break through the political monopoly of the Democrats–or at least, economic liberalism–on the great majority of black Americans in this country. So, in the political context, does true equality of opportunity involve a little more ideological diversity? Not sure.
Last year for the fortieth anniversary of MLK Day, we did a full opinion page spread in the Vanderbilt Hustler, as Vanderbilt has a somewhat complex history with racial integration (though this could be said for many an institution of higher learning). We had a poll about what Vanderbilt students thought about racism and segregation on campus, which I really wish I still had the results for, but sadly do not. But, were you interested in racial politics and identity on a modern Southern campus somewhat removed from the macro confusion of Obama’s inauguration:
- “Education remains key part of King’s enduring legacy” by guest columnist Prof. Lewis V. Baldwin
- “King would not frown on the Greek system” by Danny Neelon (regarding the age-old debate about whether the IFC-NPHC divide is de factor segregation or not)
- “King’s vision would not exclude gays” by Soo Yang; interesting argument, and one we really have no clear picture on from his relatives
- My editorial that wasn’t quite so milquetoast as usual: “Vandy sees progress towards King’s vision“
Regardless of whether Obama’s inauguration realizes King’s dream, the effect of an overwhelmingly warm reception for a transition of power means something for the country, I think. Despite being wildly against Obama in the fall, I still wish I were at home to witness all of the revelry — case in point: I was listening to the DC radio stations yesterday like I do a lot (98.7 WMZQ Country and Hot 99.5 which used to have the greatest tag ever “Serving four states, fifteen counties, and The White House. Hotttt99.5″). They had Garth Brooks day on 98.7 because he’s in town for the inauguration and somebody saw Jay-Z in the District yesterday afternoon signing autographs.
That celebrity tag and just flat out excitement, no matter how superficial or whatever, really does seem awful nice these days. Ew, sorry for pulling out the Rascal Flatts’ These Days of Troubled Economic Times, Historic Occasions, and Proportionality in Gaza. Cliches will not happen again.
