Give Coretta Scott King the dignity she deserves in death!
By Felicia (Fee) Benamon (02/14/06)
Coretta S. King was a dignified, wonderful lady in every since of the word. So as she departed this world, the order of her funeral should have reflected that. Bitter partisan politicking from a few Ex-Presidents and Civil Rights leaders were mixed in with singing and praise of Coretta S. King. As President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush sat behind their attackers, the lashing began. From the Rev. Joseph Lowery came the rebuke:
"We know now that there were no weapons of mass destruction over there, but Coretta knew, and we know, that there are weapons of misdirection right down here."
Ex-President Carter chimed in and put his spin on the challenges the nation faced after Hurricane Katrina:
"The struggle for equal rights is not over. We only have to recall the color of the faces of those in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, those who were most devastated by Katrina, to know that there are not yet equal opportunities for all Americans."
*see "Political Posturing..." article link below*
It seems some took it upon themselves to bash a sitting President when all focus and praise should have been afforded Coretta King. What a disgusting partisan attack!
Nothing ticks me off more than watching a Democrat politician or someone of similar beliefs, bash their opponents from the pulpit. It's a slap in the face to God, Coretta, and President Bush. A funeral is not the place to display such bitterness. It was a time to remember the positive impact Coretta Scott King left behind.
President Bush was gracious in describing the late Coretta King. “Coretta Scott King not only secured her husband’s legacy, she built her own”... "Having loved a leader, she became a leader, and when she spoke, Americans listened closely.” President Bush also described her as “a woman who worked to make our nation whole.” And that, she did. But there is still work to be done.
Many people connect her activism with what is going on today and think that she may have been against the War in Iraq. I recently watched an interview with Coretta King and Tavis Smiley on the Tavis Smiley Show. I was riveted to the conversation, but one poignant comment from Coretta King stood out:http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/
Tavis: There are a lot of folk, though, who would say, Ms. King, that Dr. King never heard of Osama Bin Laden, and that a nonviolent philosophy in a world where you have people who are hell-bent on doing the kinds of things that Al Qaeda is purported to have done, that philosophy just wouldn't fit.
Mrs. King: If Martin's philosophy had been embraced and lived out in Iraq and other places, we wouldn't have Bin Laden.
**To see the rest of the wonderful King interview, see transcript below**
That took me by surprise. I was definitely waiting for her answer to see how she views current world events, and what is unfolding before our eyes. Coretta King gave me the impression of a woman who understands that there is evil and good in the world, and the evil we cannot placate. There are times when one must face the evil and stand against it. Coretta King demonstrated that in her fight alongside her husband for Civil Rights. And we must win, no matter what struggle we face!
Another wonderful comment Coretta King made on the Tavis Smiley show was that "People have to allow themselves to be used by God. And Martin committed himself totally to God's will and purpose. And God is always waiting for someone who is willing to do that."
So true Coretta! How we need to see more Corettas and Martin Luther King Jrs. to change the world for the better! I hope to see more women who uplift and stand by their husbands as Coretta did with Martin L. King Jr. And for more men (and women) to have a hunger and drive to fix the many problems we face in this world. Not only to have that hunger, but displaying the courage to step out and tackle the problem head on. Imagine unleashing another dynamic duo like the Kings on this troubled planet! What an impact!
Coretta King was certainly a role model, and the Kings' message of freedom is something we all need to remember as we face a brutal enemy. We must stand against anyone who wish to suppress our freedom.
President Bush understood, like the Kings, that freedom should be for everybody. And sometimes, we must fight to get it and keep it. Nothing comes easy. As Dr. King once said:
"When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
It is very important to me that we understand the heart of Coretta King, instead of using her name or the service that she did on this earth, to bash our opponents. Let's just remember her contributions, strive to follow her example, and build on the legacy of fine Americans who have touched the world.
It is my opinion that Coretta Scott King, and Martin L. King Jr., should both have their own statue standing alongside another great Civil Rights leader Rosa Parks, in the US Capitol. It is a befitting place for Americans to reflect on what these wonderful people did for us all.
I thank you Coretta for what you accomplished so that those of us who came after you could experience the freedom we so enjoy now. May you rest in peace.
Coretta S. King 1927-2006
Related Reading
Political Posturing at King Funeral Draws Cheers, Jeers:
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=\Politics\archive\200602/POL20060208a.html
Four Presidents Attend King Funeral (various commentary on Coretta King):
http://newsmax.com/scripts/printer_friendly.pl?s=pf&page=http://newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/2/7/92605.shtml
Coretta S. King interview with Tavis Smiley (Tavis Smiley Show):
http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200501/20050117_transcript.html
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