in memoriam

In memory of Martin Luther King Jr, murdered on this day in 1968.

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'"
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

Soulforce have a special update today reflecting on the relevance of Dr King's message to the struggle for LGBT equality; the parallels are quite startling.

While LGBT people defend their own dignity and struggle toward liberation, there are those within the Methodist denomination who would seek to attack the disenfranchised and label them "disrespectful, disruptive, and self-righteous."

Similarly...

In 1939, the Methodist Church told African Americans they were not welcome in the same church pews as whites and the Central Jurisdiction was formed as a racial compromise.

apologise for slavery

I think the government should apologise for slavery, and set up a national day of remembrance for it. This country is still enjoying the benefits of the revenue from slavery, and African countries and people are still affected by the legacy of colonialism and slavery, so it's not as if it was too long ago to be worried about. Imagine if Germany hadn't apologised for the Holocaust - there'd be an outcry.

I also like the idea that the proposed memorial day commemorates the activities of Toussaint L'Ouverture.

If you agree, you can sign a petition asking the government to apologise.