What Would Dr. King Think?

Arizona Daily Wildcat

Yet, few would argue that we have a long way to go, and many would proffer that we have taken a few steps backward. So, I wonder what Dr. King would say about the about current state of affairs. Would he be satisfied with racial and economic equality, or sadly disappointed that the dream has not been fulfilled? Would he say that we are far away from Montgomery, Alabama, or that the only thing we have left behind are the years - time has passed, but the past has not. Would he shake the hands of political leaders for a job well done, or scold them for talking fast and saying nothing, hence the concessions he sought and the compromises he made were all for not?

What would Dr. King say about Ebonics? Would he embrace it as the necessary tool to lift African American youth out of the morass of mediocrity? Would he see the recognition, and subsequent legitimacy, of Ebonics as a principal measure to fill a gap that the current educational system cannot serve? Would he think that a school board would have the necessary resources to successfully combat this language barrier, or should resources be spent in areas that guarantee competent, competitive contributors to the dream?

I would think Dr. King believes that Ebonics is a misplaced priority in the national debate on education. The problems with education, whether it is in the oppressed inner city or depressed rural suburbs, are insufficient resources and lack of commitment, and were the same problems that plagued our schools when he was alive.

I would be confident in saying that Dr. King would fight against Proposition 209, the California initiative supported by over 54 percent of the state's population, that would put an end to state-run affirmative action programs.

Would Dr. King support Proposition 187, the California initiative designed to curb illegal immigration? Where would he stand on bilingual education - should Arizona be allowed to establish an "English only" state?

There are many issues one would pose to this great visionary, Dr. Martin Luther King - immigration, welfare reform (or "deform", if you will), AIDS, abortion rights, gay and lesbian rights, the CIA funding of Contras by trafficking cocaine in the inner city, Haiti, Israel and the Palestinians, the recent Medal of Honor awarded to forgotten World War II African American soldiers, the Internet (would Dr. King have his own Web page?), Newt Gingrich and his ethics violations, etc.

With all there is to grapple with today, would Dr. King's dream become overshadowed by talk show appearances, book signings, and a lucrative lecture circuit? As the global marketplace begins to take hold, would his dream become diminished by third world aspirations of economic autonomy, the first world's thirst for more market share, and each of our individual desires to maintain our standard of living in an ever-changing world? I think not!

Dr. Martin Luther King's dream was, and is, an integral part of our human psyche. We realize that his dream is our dream, and we all, in some way, each day, try to live that dream. I believe that Dr. King would be both disappointed and elated with what he sees today. Attacks on affirmative action, immigration and programs for the poor clearly belie the tenets of his dream. Yet, the vigor and commitment he lived still exists today, and can be seen in the eyes of those who fight for racial equality, freedom, economic security and human rights. With this, he would be pleased, for his dream is alive and well in all of us.

David H. Benton is a third-year law student, member of the ASUA President's Cabinet and Arizona Students' Association board member. His column, "Another Perspective," appears Tuesdays.