Inauguration Events Absorb King Holiday

Celebrations Of Famed Civil Rights Leader's Life Consumed By Upcoming Inauguration

(CBS/AP)  With the nation's attention turned to President-elect Barack Obama's anticipated inauguration Tuesday, the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day may have gotten lost in the shuffle in parts of the country.

In Hempstead, NY, the annual parade marking the birthday of the famed civil rights leader was canceled as too many dignitaries were off in Washington, D.C., to take part in another pivotal moment in the history of race relations in America - the swearing in of the first African-American president, just across the National Mall from the spot where King delivered his famous "I Have A Dream" speech in 1963.

Mr. Obama has recalled King's legacy frequently during the ramp-up to Tuesday's ceremonies, spending part of Monday challenging Americans to public service as he visited an emergency homeless shelter for teenagers in the nation's capital.

"As we go forward in the work of renewing the promise of this nation, let's remember King's lesson - that our separate dreams are really one," Mr. Obama said in a written statement. (Read more of Obama's statement commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)

A service marking what would have been King's 80th birthday was held at the Atlanta church where he preached from 1960 until his death in 1968.

Isaac Newton Farris, King's nephew and president of The King Center, told the jubilant crowd that the election of Mr. Obama was built on a foundation laid by King and was a "gigantic leap" toward the fulfillment King's dream. The sanctuary of Ebenezer Baptist Church was packed, with dozens of people left outside.

"There is definitely a spiritual connection between these two events," Farris told the mostly black congregation that erupted in applause at any mention of Mr. Obama's name.

But he cautioned the crowd that Mr. Obama's ascent to the nation's highest political office is not the final achievement of King's vision.

The King Day crowd was to hear a keynote address from the Rev. Rick Warren, a Southern Baptist who opposes gay marriage. Warren was then heading to Washington, to give the invocation at Tuesday's inauguration, which is expected to draw more than 3 million people.

Farris said that as long as disparities persist in health care, education and economics, King's work remains undone.

"The dream was not about an individual or any race of people attaining power," Farris said. "It was a human dream."

Only one of King's three living children, Bernice, attended the Monday event. His sister, Christine King Farris, led the ceremony.

King's son Martin Luther King III was in Washington already and his other son Dexter King - who lives in California - did not attend. Their other sister, Yolanda, died in 2007.

King rose to national prominence in 1955 when he led the Montgomery bus boycott, protesting segregation in the Alabama city where he served as a minister. Subsequent protest movements throughout the South highlighted King's belief in change through non-violence. His 1963 "Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial is widely regarded as the most famous moment in his storied career. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

[mrjake7]

No matter what he looks like, he will always be white thrash! What happened to Jeb Bush''s son? He''s going to be the 1st Mexican president! Is America ready for a Mexican Bush?

[jizzumjim]

this government/television educated country is finished. oooooh mlk. oooooooh abe lincoln. oooooooooooh barack obama. have fun eating your ipods idiots.

[sashimi61]

Very true. I haven''t heard too much hype about MLK day. Well, at least Obama''s speech rocked!

http://www.entertonement.com/clips/60059/Barack-Obama-Inauguration-Address

[petro49l]

Hey bunwiper, save your paranoid schizophrenia. Take your Thorazine.

[petro49l]

I remember Dr. Martin King''s speech in 1963. He preached that the need for national unity begins with racial equality. Barack Obama presents the future to America. Real strength lies in morality and dignity.

[fedupredneck]

endrepubs- I couldn''t have said it better myself. I am sick of the poor little me attitude.

[fedupredneck]

Posted by Evian_Ycnan at 06:29 AM : Jan 20, 2009
"Only a white man or an idiot would say that. "
Too funny- you must be an "African-American"-Or are you just black? Racism is alive and well-perpetuated by minorities-oh wait- I''m white. I''m the minority now.LOL

[evian_ycnan]

Inauguration Events Absorb King Holiday

Only a white man or an idiot would say that.

This inauguration was what King was all about. For the first time in 400 years, this land has become a "land of opportunity" for ALL of those who come here -- even those whose ancestors arrived in chains.

THIS IS THE DREAM, FOOL.

[annfanny]

Now lets all remember, Obama is only half black. So you could say that blacks are only half way there.

Posted by scallywag8 at 04:21 AM : Jan 20, 2009

You could say that you have a valid point. It wouldn''t be true but you could say it.

[mihann]

"Inauguration Events Absorb King Holiday" Well, I guess some things are more important.

[flsunjnky]

Well, endrepubs, it seems that you have some race issues to resolve. Se a therapist.

[wecandothis2]

Posted by endrepubs:
"I have a dream. A dream that someday we will stop hearing about the black mans''''s struggles before we all puke. A black man is now President of America and we have a National Holiday for MLK, black beauty pagents, black entertainment channel and a black history month to boot. I have a dream that we can move on past the relentless barrage of news about black achievement. We shall overcome the fact that we have never had a Latino President,a native American President, a Asian American President, a female President, blah blah blah..."
- - - -

Hi ''ENDREPUBS'',

I think your comments are funny. I also think I should not be laughing because to some people this is a sensitive matter. I voted for Obama-Biden ticket because the thought of Airhead Sarah Palin being one heartbeat from POTUS & Commander-in-Chief frightens me terribly!

To get a better coverage of Inauguration news, I flipped through several news channels including FOX, MSNBC, CNN, and CBS. And to my surprise CNN was the most depressing because their focus was on MLK Holiday. CNN spent the whole day feeding their audience brutally depressing highlights of racism at its worst. Don''t get me wrong, I think all Americans should be well versed in our nation''s past. But today and the rest of this week should be of celebration. America gets a new start, with new hopes, and the excitement of new challenges. Not CNN''s sad stories of the evils of past racism (which was true).

[riverratt5]

What does this have to do with Joe Biden being offered the Secretary of State job. Why don''t people stay on target with the subject.

[flsunjnky]

TIMNGUYEN1, you are a joke!

Are we so blind as Americans that we can%u2019t see the truth in where we are?

[flsunjnky]

I will bite his head off
Posted by MrNegrodamus
you''''ll never get past his ears
Posted by jgg00005

What did you mean by that jgg00005?

[riverratt5]

You are right FLSunJnky this sounds like a threat to the President. I hope they find whoever it is.

[flsunjnky]

Nice, jgg00005, was that a threat to the President-elect? I bet Homeland is all over you right now. And they should be!

[jgg00005]

I really really hope that this obama is not bullsh1tting and knows what he is doing AND DOES WHAT HE PROMISED..or else..


I will bite his head off

Posted by MrNegrodamus

you''ll never get past his ears

[jgg00005]

ROWDY RIDES AGAIN Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Waaaaaaaaaaaa Waaaaaaaaaaaaa

Posted by Texhillman99

you should be change into your obama pajamas so you can wake up early for the miracle.

[jgg00005]

I don''''t think Dr. King would mind. I think he would be thrilled.

Posted by kansas1946

maybe we should dig him up and ask him