MLK Dream Warped and Diminished by Actions of Rioters 08-13-20

Editorial cartoonist Michael P. Ramirez wonders if today's "mostly peaceful protestors", egged on by BLM and Antifa, believe rioting in the streets and violently attacking business owners and police officers in the name of reparations would be approved by Dr. King.  

• For over 45 years, two-time Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist Michael P. Ramirez has been making America laugh while offending those in power. A collection of t-shirts are available HERE, and selected limited, signed glicee prints may be ordered securely HERE. Everything is printed in the U.S.A. If you love today's cartoon, let us know in the comments, and check out michaelpramirez.com for archives, new print requests, and to message Michael.

Despite decades of education children about the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., how can today's protestors have strayed so tragically from his original words and message of non-violence?

 “Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, "Love your enemies." It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies. (from "Loving Your Enemies")” 

― Martin Luther King Jr., A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

The long running intellectual debate on reparations for black Americans dates back at least to the remarkable arguments of W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington, but what are we to make of Chicago Black Lives Matter organizer Ariel Atkins, who was reported by MSN.news as stating this:

"I don't care if somebody decides to loot a Gucci or a Macy's or a Nike because that makes sure that that person eats. That makes sure that that person has clothes," Atkins said, according to NBC Chicago.

"That's reparations. That is reparations. Anything they want to take, take it because these businesses have insurance. They're going to get their money back. My people aren't getting anything."

Atkins also hit back at Rev. Jesse Jackson, who tweeted earlier on Monday that the looting that had taken place in Chicago was "morally wrong."

He wrote: "This act of pillaging, robbing & looting in Chicago was humiliating, embarrassing &morally wrong. It must not be associated with our quest for social justice and equality."

But Atkins maintained that Jackson "has nothing to do with Black Lives Matter."

She added: "Jesse Jackson was not there for the creation of Black Lives Matter. Jesse Jackson can keep his opinions to himself."  

read more at MSN.com