MLK’s son speaks at Pitt

Martin Luther King III criticized U.S. leadership and the war in Iraq during his politically… Martin Luther King III criticized U.S. leadership and the war in Iraq during his politically charged speech Thursday night, asking students to get out and vote for change.

“Our beloved America has arrogantly acted in such a way that would make God say, ‘Why should I bless America?'” King said.

More than 400 people attended his lecture, titled “My Father’s Dream, My Mission,” in the William Pitt Union Assembly Room, on the same day and in the same place that his father spoke exactly 40 years ago.

King said the nonviolent spirit of his father is even more important in today’s warring world than it was in 1966.

“You can’t stamp out terrorism by terrorizing others,” King said.

King compared the experience of his father and grandmother’s murders to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. He said he never hated the men who shot his family members, and that America must learn to dislike the violent acts, not the individuals.

“Separate evil deed from evil doer,” King said. “Nonviolence always, always chooses love over hate,” he added.

King went on from criticizing the violence of the war to attacking the Bush administration.

“When you live on the corner of arrogant and ignorant, that’s a bad place to be,” King said.

He said the Iraq war is creating people who will hate us forever, and international ties are breaking. He added that people in Iraq are asking us to leave, and it is not fair to force democracy where it is unwanted.

King questioned political leaders’ focus on the war, and he said more important issues involving poverty need to be given more attention.

He pointed to the practice of redlining and said it allows companies to charge higher car insurance and deny people loans in poorer areas. He added that appointed attorneys are spread too thin, therefore providing inadequate services to those who can’t afford to pay a lawyer.

“Essentially, if you’re poor, you’re criminalized, you’re victimized,” King said. “If you’re poor and black, it’s even worse.”

King said he plans on fighting poverty and racism with his Realizing the Dream campaign, in which he will go on a 20-city tour and work with local governments to improve conditions in poor neighborhoods while drawing attention to the issue nationally.

He said he hopes this will build on the legacy of his parents, and he reflected on times he had with his father as a child.

King told a story of being able to play ball inside of the house when his father was home because he couldn’t be out on the front lawn. King also recalled how fun it was to travel with his dad because they were escorted by police and could run red lights.

“I ask you to remember the dreamer, and dream yourselves,” King said.

He asked students to dream of a nation with greater humanitarian values, putting less emphasis on financial success.

“We have learned how to make a living but not a life. We have added years to life but not life to years,” he said, quoting a saying he found online.

He also gave specific advice to black college students.

King said they should mentor black high school students so they will work hard and go to college. He also said the message of hip hop music should be made to be more positive.

King even broke into what he called a “booty dance” at one point, causing laughter throughout the crowd. He said that children are being exposed to such things and that there needs to be more wholesomeness in entertainment.

“Children have lost innocence,” King said. “It’s like something that got out and you can’t recapture.”

Senior Marita Garrett said she enjoyed King’s moment of breaking into dance, saying it made her remember that he’s a real person and not just part of the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

She also said she liked his message about getting out to vote.

“It’s nice to hear him say that we are the next leaders and that we can change the world,” she said.

Senior Jamar Thrasher said he was also affected by the proactive message.

“As a busy student, you get stressed out and you think, ‘Oh, it’s only about me,’ and you forget what you can do for the collective society,” Thrasher said.

King concluded his speech on this note when he asked everyone to become more informed and involved in politics.

“America, please wake up,” he said.