Beyond Iraq

As we all know today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.  Dr. King was the face of the civil rights movement and a force for social change during a tumultuous time in our nation's history.  Many of us are well aware of his work in the civil rights movement but few are aware that the civil rights movement was only part of his vision.  Dr. King's goal was "to save the soul of America."  This goal also included the peace movement of the time during the Vietnam war.  Many people invoke the name of historical figures and question how they would react to current situations (i.e. What would Jesus do?!).  I believe if Dr. King were alive today there is no question as to his stance regarding the war in Iraq.  You should all take a moment to read Dr. King's speech 'Beyond Vietnam' which was delivered to the clergy and congregation of Riverside church in 1967.  Below is an excerpt which stood out for me and which resonates today. 

"At this point I should make it clear that while I have tried in these last few minutes to give a voice to the voiceless in Vietnam and to understand the arguments of those who are called "enemy," I am as deeply concerned about our own troops there as anything else. For it occurs to me that what we are submitting them to in Vietnam is not simply the brutalizing process that goes on in any war where armies face each other and seek to destroy. We are adding cynicism to the process of death, for they must know after a short period there that none of the things we claim to be fighting for are really involved. Before long they must know that their government has sent them into a struggle among Vietnamese, and the more sophisticated surely realize that we are on the side of the wealthy, and the secure, while we create a hell for the poor."