In thinking about Glen Beck's "Rally for Honor" on August 28th, the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech on the very same spot, I do have to ask myself: why is there not a "Rally for Freedom" being organized on the same spot?
In thinking about Glen Beck's "Rally for Honor" on August 28th, the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech on the very same spot, I do have to ask myself: why is there not a "Rally for Freedom" being organized on the same spot? Why aren't Americans rising to the challenge of the last vestiges of dignity being stripped from our most cherished American icons of unity, equality and human dignity?
Beck is hiding behind a charitable cause, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, as a shield to sidestep the true symbolism of what he is doing - spitting on the vision of racial equality championed by Dr. King and on the vision of national unity forged by Abraham Lincoln. Like The yellow Gadsden Flags that stand in for Confederate battle flags at Tea Party rallies, a thin veneer of military-inspired patriotism gives the press just enough excuse to walk away from the racism and destructiveness of these far right movements. People tend to forget that prior to its usurping by the Nazis in Germany, the swastika was a positive sign of spiritual power. Positive symbols expropriated for negative purposes are very dangerous.
I do believe that the people of the United States are reaching a turning point in their politics where we need to reclaim our symbols of unity on a massive scale. At some point, perhaps soon, if there is not a definitive rally against the divisiveness, racial hatred and false patriotism that is being stirred up by the likes of Glen Beck, then a moment may have passed for people to take action against this movement. The voting box is the ultimate expression of our beliefs, but if people do not see their fellow Americans standing up for what they know in their hearts is right it's not clear to me that we're going to succeed in getting clear-minded people to the polls to help us stem this mass hysteria. Our institutions have been weakened again and again over the past decades by these forces of negativity.
I do encourage those with the ability to do so to organize a rally on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in September to speak out for the true values that power our democracy - religious freedom, racial and gender equality, equal expression of our votes, equal opportunity for all. I know that I would be very glad to attend.