MLK on white moderates

[BainsBane]

28. I find it astounding that the only thing that anyone seems to care about

is the label. Look at the quote and what King is talking about. He is talking about the very kinds of criticism we have seen of Black Lives Matter. Here is the point. This is a historical piece. It is not about the fact some people believe themselves superior for using the word "liberal" or "progressive." King as not talking about an election 50 years in the future and people who would form their entire political identity according to someone running to head the capitalist state. He was talking about obstacles to racial equality, issues far bigger than a single politician or electoral cycle.


Now, in my opinion anyone who takes the attitude we have seen lately toward a movement for black lives is neither liberal, progressive or moderate. However, in King's use of the term, it is meant as people who were not card caring Klansmen but those who believed themselves open minded racially--only they stood in the way of progress. I believe the words reflect precisely what we are seeing today. It is not about Sanders vs. Clinton or any other politician. It is about racial equality and whether one acts to further racial justice or impede it.

Now clearly a number of people who insist they are progressive have spent a great deal of time criticizing the tactics of today's civil right's activists. I really don't care who those people support for president. If they supported a different candidate, they would be doing the same thing because it's not about the candidate, it's about their own discomfort with a rapidly changing social order.