Friday, January 12, 2018

Cleaver saddened by Trump's bigoted, insensitive comments

(From Fifth District Congressman Emanuel Cleaver)

It is quite possibly one of the most over-used statements in the English lexicon, yet rings true on so many levels, “Language is powerful.” What you say is just as important as what you do.

It deeply saddens me that on this weekend prior to celebrating and remembering one of the most courageous humanitarians of all time, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we are hearing deeply bigoted and insensitive remarks from the highest elected official in the land. Hating and degrading people solely based on an inconsequential difference of ethnicity, race, social class, and gender must come to an end.

Dr. King would still be marching over bridges, sitting in at lunch counters, still dreaming of a time when we could all join hands, if he were still alive today. Yes, we have accomplished much since his assassination in 1968 but the longer we live in this society with racism publicly poking out its ugly head, the harder it becomes to change things. I’m a minister so I believe in speaking things into existence. I believe in the power of prayer and words, followed by positive action.

Who are we to think a certain group of people are better, more desired, more coveted in this country than another group? Dr. King stood on the platform of love and non-violence and acceptance of everyone and he took a bullet on a hotel balcony fighting for this just cause. Many people of all races were beaten, hanged, shamed, and killed for standing up for what should be the most basic inalienable rights of all humans.

I saw a story of two little girls, one African American and one Caucasian, both in kindergarten at the same school. They are best friends. Their friendship and genuine love for each other runs so deep that they actually believe they are twins. When someone told the two they couldn’t possibly be twins because they didn’t have the same mother, one of them responded, “but we are because we have the same soul.”

If children can believe they are the same within their hearts, regardless of how different they look, or where they come from, why is it so hard for adults?

These girls truly believe in what they are saying and they would surely believe in the preachments of Martin Luther King, Jr. Their innocence is remarkable and their language is powerful.

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My latest Inquisitr column on the topic:

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

They are shit holes. The leaders live lavishly while people scrap to get by. I am sure we all know what foundation made a health profit from the Haiti disaster. It amazes me how a Lot of these charity organization only spend $0.20 on the dollar on relief and pay their executives huge salaries. Churches are still the best at help Americans and the world in need.

Steve Holmes said...

The strangest part of Trump's comments was the idea that people from Norway might want to move here. They make more money and live longer than we do. Hell, they probably think we're the shithole. I bet Norway builds a wall to keep out the Americans.

Anonymous said...

The way things are going in this country, that wall will not be built to keep the Mexicans out but rather to keep the Americans in.

Anonymous said...

Norway, United States, Haiti, Trump's other 'shitholes'.

Where does SW Missouri fit in here?

Bonus: What would change if Sam Anselm allowed the JPD to run a facebook page with actual information t6he public wants?

Harvey Hutchinson said...

Turns out: President Trump did NOT make that comment; corroborated by 4 others in the Room.
The real shithole is Dick Durbin.
His interest was torpedoeing a bipartisan, bicameral deal on DACA and border control.
Simply a childish fit, and outright lie because he couldn’t have his way!

Harvey Hutchinson 303-522-6622 voice&text

Anonymous said...

How is calling a country a name being racists anyway? What is wrong with people? My goodness! Ridiculous cry babies who whine about anything that offends them. Lots of things offend me, mostly whining liberals.
However I just put my big girl panties on and ignore the blabber.
Not every comment has to be misrepresented or taken seriously.
If someone followed you around and recorded your every word or move, I'm sure you would say something that would offend someone.
Get over it. Find a worth-while cause and put as much energy into that as you do complaining.
Just think of the great things you could do for humanity or your community.
Peace out people.