Have We Lost The Dream?

Michelle Malkin sites the Gateway Pundits round-up of activities for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. It's a sickening spectacle. The Gateway Pundit provides an impressive list of anti-Bush activities to celebrate King's birthday. He comments....

The rally on the US Capitol today to mark the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech was broadcast live on C-SPAN. The event was attended by Democratic presidential contenders Howard Dean, Carol Moseley Braun and Al Sharpton. The following are my personal observations, facts hidden from you by puff-pieces appearing on the wire services. The most stunning aspect of this rally was the almost complete, seemingly choreographed absence of the Old Glory throughout the vast crowd, estimated by organizers to number 50,000. The fact that not a single black person thought it proper to show appreciation to a country that freed his forefathers from the clutches of slavery by proudly flying her flag, seemed almost offensive to me. Seen among the crowd were various pro-Palestinian banners and others denigrating America, one calling it "The greatest purveyor of violence in the world".

This is sad to me because the message being sent seems to me to be exactly the opposite of what Dr. King spent his life for and died for. Dr. King had undoubted ability to express himself. He doesn't need me or anyone else explaining his vision. In his own words .... Dr. King was clear that his vision was an American vision:

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

Dr. King was clear that his vision was inclusive, not exclusive. He was clear that his vision was for a non-violent, dignified protests to bring about social change:

In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. we must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

Dr. King was clear that his vision was of unity, not seperation between Americans of all races:

I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.

How did this great man come to be used to support personal agendas?