Yeesh. Is it too much to ask that MLK's kids not be complete jerks? The Bush's...sure. The Kardashian's...most certainly, but c'mon, really, MLK kids?
Also, out of curiosity, what do the kids actually do? Do they have jobs, or are they just sitting around trying to squeak money out of their father's apparently dead legacy, since it doesn't look like any of them hold public office?
I live in Atlanta and every year we volunteer for community service projects and go to the presentations for MLK Day and "A Day On Not A Day Off" and every year it becomes more of a disgrace to his name. Clearly the money is going towards lining someone's pockets and not going towards investing in the maintenance of the historical sites or funding the projects. What an embarrassment everyone's behavior is.
Lars von Trier is definitely an asshole, but he also might actually be the greatest director in the world. He is certainly the master of the mind-crushingly frustrating movie experience.
@TillieHarper: We the Blacks...Niggmata (I Have Holes in My ...: I actually haven't seen any of his movies. I'm also not calling him an asshole or awful--but nonetheless it seems odd to premise the greatness of a film director on his ability to frustrate. It's like somebody telling me "OMG you totally have to see this guy's movies, they're so obnoxiously irritating, he's the best!" or "I give this chef's food an A+: it makes me want to throw up every time!"
(Mind you, it's not as if positive aesthetic experiences can't be rooted in what are ordinarily unpleasant mental states: for example, a great horror movie can frighten you, and a great tragedy can make you feel sad. But can a great movie truly frustrate you?--and if so, is it frustration you feel?)
Wow. Perhaps no one will agree with me, but Clooney seems hell-bent on making the most boring movies ever conceived. Seriously. Who cares? I understand that he's now an Ac-Tor, but sheesh, would it kill him to find projects a little less esoteric? Even Clive Owen becomes a bank robber, a love interest, someone even minimally charming, every now and again. I'm not saying he needs to shoot Batman and Robin Make Milkshakes or anything, but where's that loveable guy that traded witty banter with Michelle Pfeifer all those many years ago, or the edgy dude who held his own with Tarantino? A little action and sex appeal would be nice, instead he's making movies made for the 7:30pm with oatmeal time slot. Boo!
Does anyone watch "Southland"? I was shocked to learn one of the characters is played by C. Thomas Howell. He looks more recognizable in the picture in this post of him playing Mark Watson on tanning pills.
@Midwesterner in NYC: That show is a definite "blink and you missed someone you know from a movie or tv series," brain bender. Last week I watched it while imdb-ing during almost every scene.
And so as we go away this afternoon, let us go away more than ever before committed to this struggle and committed to nonviolence. I must admit to you that there are still some difficult days ahead. We are still in for a season of suffering...I must admit to you that there are still jail cells waiting for us, and dark and difficult moments. But if we will go on with the faith that nonviolence and its power can transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows, we will be able to change all of these conditions. We must come to see that the end we seek is a society at peace with itself, a society that can live with its conscience. And that will be a day not of the white man, not of the black man. That will be the day of man as man.
I know you are asking today, "How long will it take?" Somebody's asking, "How long will prejudice blind the visions of men, darken their understanding, and drive bright-eyed wisdom from her sacred throne?" Somebody's asking, "When will wounded justice, lying prostrate on the streets of Selma and Birmingham and communities all over the South, be lifted from this dust of shame to reign supreme among the children of men?" Somebody's asking, "When will the radiant star of hope be plunged against the nocturnal bosom of this lonely night, plucked from weary souls with chains of fear and the manacles of death? How long will justice be crucified, and truth bear it?"
I come to say to you this afternoon, however difficult the moment, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long, because "truth crushed to earth will rise again."
How long? Not long, because "no lie can live forever."
How long? Not long, because "you shall reap what you sow."....
How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.
How long? Not long, because mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He has loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on. He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat. O, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! Be jubilant my feet! Our God is marching on. Glory, hallelujah! Glory, hallelujah! Glory, hallelujah! Glory, hallelujah! His truth is marching on.
I went to a little celebration of MLK for the children with my son this morning and afterward he said, "Now there are no more fights between white and black people and even if you have green skin, the people have to treat you right." We'll keep working on that, but close enough, kid.
I agree that the day ahould be more widely acknowledged by employers, but isn't the point less about who has the day off and more about who is remembering/carrying on Dr. King's legacy?
@Lysergic Asset: Today is ideally supposed to be a day of service, when employers give their workers the day off so they can go out into the community and do some good: [en.wikipedia.org]
That being said, if I had today off I'd probably be sleeping in, so I see your point. Regardless of whether or not we are at work, a little reflection would be nice.
@saythatscool★: Totally, but I'll show them! I'll goof off on Gawker and Defamer all day and still get paid! Unless they're monitoring me; in which case - I'm on break! Don't lay me off!
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Also, out of curiosity, what do the kids actually do? Do they have jobs, or are they just sitting around trying to squeak money out of their father's apparently dead legacy, since it doesn't look like any of them hold public office?
I may not want to know the answer.
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how the fuck do you italicize?
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You okay with that?
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(Mind you, it's not as if positive aesthetic experiences can't be rooted in what are ordinarily unpleasant mental states: for example, a great horror movie can frighten you, and a great tragedy can make you feel sad. But can a great movie truly frustrate you?--and if so, is it frustration you feel?)
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I know you are asking today, "How long will it take?" Somebody's asking, "How long will prejudice blind the visions of men, darken their understanding, and drive bright-eyed wisdom from her sacred throne?" Somebody's asking, "When will wounded justice, lying prostrate on the streets of Selma and Birmingham and communities all over the South, be lifted from this dust of shame to reign supreme among the children of men?" Somebody's asking, "When will the radiant star of hope be plunged against the nocturnal bosom of this lonely night, plucked from weary souls with chains of fear and the manacles of death? How long will justice be crucified, and truth bear it?"
I come to say to you this afternoon, however difficult the moment, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long, because "truth crushed to earth will rise again."
How long? Not long, because "no lie can live forever."
How long? Not long, because "you shall reap what you sow."....
How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.
How long? Not long, because mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He has loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on. He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat. O, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! Be jubilant my feet! Our God is marching on. Glory, hallelujah! Glory, hallelujah! Glory, hallelujah! Glory, hallelujah! His truth is marching on.
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That being said, if I had today off I'd probably be sleeping in, so I see your point. Regardless of whether or not we are at work, a little reflection would be nice.
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You would be wrong. Now I'll get back to inventory reports.
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