Here’s a query from a reader who will be a candidate in the 2014 elections.
You may be aware the Martin Luther King (MLK) Day Parade is coming up next week Monday (January 20). It has been suggested that I should be in the parade to promote myself as a candidate, but a couple of people have expressed concerns about this, however, because they believe the parade is to celebrate the memory of MLK and shouldn’t be used to promote people.
What do you think?
I think it’s pretty simple.
If you show up at the parade with campaign signs and literature, it would rub me the wrong way.
However, participating in the parade to celebrate Martin Luther King’s legacy, would be perfectly appropriate and, I believe, appreciated.
So, again in my view, just stay within the real meaning of the occasion and you’ll be fine.
Here’s what the Hawaii MLK Coaition has to say about the intent of the event:
The coalition is organized to promote the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday through remembrance, celebration, and action. This holiday is promoted as a day of national and community service, a time to reflect upon the principles of interracial cooperation, equality, and social change through nonviolent resolution of conflict, dedication to global peace, social justice, economic security, and the eradication of poverty as espoused by Dr. King. Efforts are made seek the involvement of business, government, labor, religious, ethnic, educational, and community service groups, as well as all segments of the civilian and military population.
Excluding elected officials, or aspiring local officials, wouldn’t be consistent with this broad, open invitation to participate.
But others may have a different view, I suppose.
Leave your comments below and let’s find out.
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You might want to check if your party is participating and join them in the parade. I believe the DP is participating again this year,
If a candidate genuinely supports MLK principles, I personally see no conflict. A lot of participants will be wearing T -shirts identifying their purpose/ belief/organization. Pamphlets are passed out along the route. Tables are set up at Kapiolani Park for the purpose of displaying info. MLK wanted a better America.
I believe both parties WILL be participating. The Dems, so they can feel good about the tiny traces remaining of their commitment to the causes which motivated Dr. King, the Republicans as a PR move to deny their active embrace of racism.
I think Ian’s advice is sound. A candidate risks being seen as trying to “pimp off” the parade in an opportunistic fashion. But so is the military, with their mockup of a nuclear sub. Unfortunately, the crowd has been brainwashed into not seeing any conflict between displays of America’s armed might and Dr. King’s message. But seeing someone using the parade to get votes, even if their views may coincide with Dr. King’s in important ways? Outrageous!
in reference to Republicans — kolea has clearly mastered Saul Alinsky’s tactical rule #5. “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. It is almost impossible to counteract ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage.”
Really? Saul Alinsky as a boogeyman?
The Republican participation in the MLK parade is worthy of serious discussion. If their participation causes their members and/or others to feel uncomfortable about the many ways in which their mainland counterparts are actively working against Dr. King’s vision, then great.
So have at it. Tell us why the participation of the GOP is not worthy of ridicule? If the self-identification of the Democratic Party with Dr. King’s mission is tenuous, the modern GOP’s attempt to confuse people in this way is totally absurd.
You can actually engage in a deeper discussion. Or you can snipe and run away, cowering in the shadows.
The military? First, Martin Luther King, Jr., is an American national hero. The military mind likes national heroes. Second, he’s remembered today mostly for his leadership in the civil rights struggle. The U.S. military was ahead of the nation in treating Americans of different ‘races’ equally. So bring on the Styrofoam submarines.
Only those who look a little more closely will notice the bloody nature of the military and the broader legacy of Dr. King, who was among other things an advocate for peace, against war, and against economic inequality. Fortunately the holiday will continue to inspire some to take the closer look.
MLK, Jr. said the arc of justice bends towards justice. To me that means that the way we treat each other is reflected in the way we treat the earth. Gwich`in Native peoples and MLK, Jr. parade have these same focus.
As the head of a 501c3 NGO and the chair of the World Wetlands Day 2014 coming up in February, I would like to carry a sign inviting folks to attend WWD – all the programs, exhibits, educational programs, tours, etc., are free although food, t-shirts, plants, books, etc., will be on sale.
Is this okay in the MLK Parade?
If you think marching in the parade and urging people to support environmental protection and habitat preservation honors the memory of MLK, than go for it.
I will be there marching with members of my union who are honoring Dr. King since he died after he came to Memphis to help members of our union win the right to form a union and bargain for better wages and working conditions
I have confirmed with an organizer that it is fine for candidates to walk with the DP with supporters wearing candidate shirts. NO handouts allowed by city except candy.
Thank you for posting this, Ian. After discussing this issue with my husband, and to the chagrin of several people who were urging me to participate, I’ve decided it wouldn’t be right. While I support the work and accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr., my motivation would be wrong. I think the parade should be apolitical.
The parade cannot be non-political without thereby distorting Dr. King’s message, for Dr King’s mission was deeply political.
From his speech at the National Conference on New Politics, August 31, 1967:
“We must also realize that the problems of racial injustice and economic injustice cannot be solvedwithout a radical redistribution of political and economic power. ”
Any politician whose own social vision is in alignment with Dr. King’s should feel free to join the march.
If anything, the parade needs to be more DEEPLY POLITICAL, even as it should avoid being too “partisan.”
Are you making a distinction between a candidate and a politician? When does someone become a politician?