A Shout Out to Dr. King

Although we are observing the legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, his actual birthday was on Thursday, January 15, 2015 and I found it ironic that on that day...
 
...as a fan of the NBA, I was seated in front of the TV ready for the first game of the night, wondering in the back of my mind, if anyone was going to send a shout out to the memory of Dr. King on this day of his birth.
 
Well, there was a shout out, but in my opinion, not one that would have made Dr. King proud.
 
You see, the Basketball Analysts began their discussion with last week's altercation between Kevin Garnett and Dwight Howard. And Charles Barkley said:

"You got to fight sometimes because you can't

let people disrespect you."

He substantiated this with a recap of his fight with Shaquille O'Neal many years ago, saying that he knew he couldn't beat Shaq, but because there were 18,000 people in the stadium at the time, he felt like that was reason to fight. He further said, "You got to throw blows".
 
Looking for clarity, Co-Analyst, Ernie Johnson asked Charles, "Come on, you're encouraging people to throw blows now and again?"
 
Barkley answered, "In certain situations."
 
And as if that wasn't enough negativity, Shaq chimed in:
 
"I hate to say it, but I agree with Chuck. Sometimes you got to let people know 'I'm here also. You may be a star, you're an older star, I'm a younger star...you're not going to disrespect me'. And Chuck is absolutely right; you got to throw a blow to let people know."
 
Well fellas, here's the thing; when you say that no one will disrespect you, I say they don't have to. You do a great job of it  yourself by staying set and ready for self-disrespect, all too easily and all too often.
 
The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Civil Rights Activist, but impacted our lives for many positive ideas; not just the ones regarding race. However, how many people do you know only think Black and White when his name is mentioned?
 
He stood for much more and should be honored for it all. He didn't tell us to be non-violent...but only with regard to race. He didn't say that the way to respect ourselves is to disrespect another. And never did he encourage anyone to be violent.
 
It's amazing how, on one breath, many will honor Dr. King, but on their next breath, totally stomp out all his triumphs with actions that dishonor all he was truly about.
 
I'm sorry for those (like our sports analysts last Thursday night) who believe there are times for physical violence. It's disheartening to know that these people feel obligated to be aggressive, and then say it's for their family, their team, their mentees, or for their own respect; when it's really for their personal insecurity.
 
And what's worse is the vast number of young people who are being taught this tragic message and, even more tragically, learn and follow through with it.
 
We should be teaching our youngsters that although there are numerous ways to gain respect (and be sure to point them out) as with everything, it all begins with the self. It begins with a choice of self-respect over violence.
 
But enough of my words; here are some from Dr. King, himself...

 

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

 

"The time is always right to do what is right."

 

"Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals."

 
And finally, one of my favorite quotes:
 

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

Happy Birthday, Dr. King! 

May your message be accurately taken and your example faithfully honored.

~~What do you think Dr. King would say to Charles  and Shaq about their statements? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.