by Bruno Korschek

Created on: January 19, 2011

Recently we celebrated the birthday of a great American, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an individual that probably did as much for civil rights and equality in this country than any other American in our history. His courage and foresight were instrumental in the strides that minorities have made in this country over the past five or six decades. If not for him, we may not have an African American President today in Barack Obama, if not for him an African American woman, Oprah Winfrey, might not be one of the most powerful people in show business today, if not for him, many of our leaders in politics and diplomacy (e.g. Colin Powell,), sports (e.g. Michael Jordan), and other fields may not have ever gotten the opportunity to fully become who they are.

Now, how this country fulfilled all of the visions and desires that Dr. King imagined and dreamed? Despite the progress that has been made, we as a nation still have a long way to go in guaranteeing equality for all. His visions of equality should be part of every American's daily interactions with all they come in contact with. His is a message of peace and harmony, it is something worth striving for.

However, this march to the better tomorrow would probably go a lot smoother if many members of our political class stopped and took a moment to today to reflect on their venomous words over the past year or so. Consider:

- Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel: "I want you to know and your viewing audience to know that the group that were in Washington fighting against the health care bill and fighting against the President, looked just like and shouted just like those groups that attacked the civil rights movement in the South."

- Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee: "All those who wore sheets a long time ago have now lifted them off and started wearing clothing with a name, say, I am part of the tea party."

- Ex-Democratic Congressman Alan Grayson (in referring to the Americans who attended the Glen Beck Washington rally): "These are people who were wearing sheets over their heads 25  years ago."

- Despicable language coming from our so-called "leaders." Language that collectively judges and brands millions and millions of Americans with honest and intelligent reasons to oppose Obama Care as racists. These three have never met the very people that they collectively brand as racists, much like the true racists from the 1960s who never met the very African American citizens they collectively branded

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