Mastodawn

I get that the GOP likes to pretend that MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech is a call for colorblindness (it's not), citing the "content of their character" line, but here's a little secret:

If you're the type of person who feels the need to cling to that line, free from context, then the "content of your character" is pretty apparent, and it's not looking good for you.

Parker Molloy Jan 16, 2023

https://www.readtpa.com/p/mlk-i-have-a-dream-speech-edit

Newspaper Prints Heavily-Edited, Sanitized Version of MLK's "I Have a Dream" Speech, Apologizes

And you wonder why so many people believe the speech's key takeaway is that we should all just judge people by "the content of their character," rather than address the specific concerns laid out.

The Present Age

Meeche Jan 16, 2023

@parkermolloy Because it’s not just republicans, it’s all the media.

GoNancyGo Jan 16, 2023

@parkermolloy I feel like that newspaper spit in my face.

@parkermolloy I, too, foolishly think I can improve on Dr. King's carefully chosen words, because that's how egotistical I am as a writer!

Nah.

captivatingdork Jan 16, 2023

@parkermolloy TELL IT.

Stormcrow Jan 16, 2023

@parkermolloy MLK was no saint. He relied on the stolen labor of women to carry him. We need social justice leaders who speak to the systemic oppression being waged against all of us, women, people of color, sexual minorities, people with disabilities, poor folk, non-christian folk. Men + christianity = systemic oppression.

Parker Molloy Jan 16, 2023

@TheStormcrow I didn't call him (or anyone) a saint?

Charlotte Jan 16, 2023

@TheStormcrow @parkermolloy I think you're looking for 21st century language and intersectionality out of someone who died 50+ years ago.

I don't think anyone is saying that MLK was perfect. But he was the preeminent (and highly effective) leader of a deeply necessary movement for racial justice and equality in this country. That deserves to be celebrated.

And speaking as a non-Christian trans woman, there are most certainly many worthy Christian cis men fighting oppression.

Peat Bog Jan 18, 2023

@TheStormcrow @parkermolloy
Don't you think the women who helped MLK did so out of love?

Every human bond doesn't have to be transactional. That is how MBAs think. The world they're building only values countable things like hours, socks, and customer satisfaction ratings.

In MBA world, uncountable things like honor, grace, wisdom, and love slowly fade into history like ghosts.

Stormcrow Jan 19, 2023

@peatbog @parkermolloy Women help our species for many reasons. Even when we are intentionally hobbled by men. Women often love the person who abuses them or others them.

Peat Bog Jan 19, 2023

@TheStormcrow @parkermolloy
I didn't know MLK abused the women in his life who helped him. Is this speculation or facts?

Stormcrow Jan 19, 2023

@peatbog @parkermolloy ffs read his own words about women. read his biographies. dude had the same shitty attitude about women as dudes of every other color. then fuck right off.

One World One People Jan 16, 2023

@parkermolloy One World One People

Celebrate with all people the world that is ours, bring into your home, bring into your heart, the many cultures and their multitude societies that have emerged from the love of life that we share. The moment is vast and your place within it is connected with all people from the time you breathe the same air and drink the same water as the very first.

@parkermolloy What’s your take on Shelby Steele?

Shoq 🌿Jan 16, 2023

@parkermolloy Yeah, and misappropriating words and truisms is one of the few things the Right is competent at. Probably because our society and its lazy press are both derelict in a duty to push back against such willfully disingenuous actors and their acts. As the George Santos debacle informs, most of the @GOP is now supremely confident they can say anything and will typically get away with it. So they do. They're all disinhibited trolls, completely devoid of ethics, morals, or common values.

AliSnarkbar Jan 16, 2023

@shoq @parkermolloy @GOP wow, very well said...

Meeche Jan 16, 2023

@shoq @parkermolloy @GOP I think “most” is a poor word choice here. It’s all. Or all but … no it’s all. All is the right word.

Angry Centrist Jan 16, 2023

@shoq @parkermolloy @GOP Braying asses from Hell.

Luna Corbden Jan 16, 2023

@parkermolloy @lednabm In my experience, they tend to forget the content of the character line altogether and think we shouldn’t judge anyone for anything ever (but only in context of judging racists).

Dave P. ☑️Jan 16, 2023

@parkermolloy First the #GQP nominated one of the few black congress men for speaker. Knowing he had no chance in hell to win. Trying to counter Hakeem Jeffries historic rise.Then they quoted MLK as another slap in the face to the African American community. It was maddening and so dam insulting. #GQPNotInterestedInGoverning #GQPIsCorrupt #GQP

My Blue Check is MIA Jan 17, 2023

@parkermolloy We can see their colors out loud. The camouflage is not working.

Allan Chow Jan 17, 2023

@parkermolloy except for the millions who believe them to fuel their own bias 😮‍💨

Peat Bog Jan 18, 2023

@parkermolloy
The "content of their character" line is stirring and poetic and it makes me feel that dream of peace and brotherhood in my deepest soul. I'm so exhausted by the forever hatreds.

I don't want to train the kids to immediately assume someone quoting that line is doing so in bad faith. Most people aren't on Twitter or Mastodon and don't know about these conversations --e.g., grandmas.

I would rather say, talk is cheap. You have to look at a person's actions to get their meaning.

Peat Bog Jan 18, 2023

@parkermolloy
Same with people quoting the Bible. Look at their actions to know what they mean.

"Love your neighbor as yourself" could mean, "have compassion for everyone." But some people act like it means, "have compassion for your own tribe screw those other guys," which is the opposite of the first meaning.