Beck’s Shameful Dishonor of King Nothing New for Conservatives

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New America Media, News Report, Earl Ofari Hutchinson, Posted: Aug 24, 2010

Glenn Beck is either a liar or was simply mistaken as he claims that he got the date confused. The date is August 28, the same date as the 47th anniversary of the March on Washington. This is the date that Beck picked for his “Restoring Honor” rally in Washington D.C. Beck says he had no idea the date is a sacred day for civil rights leaders, and that it was pure coincidence he’ll rally that day.

Civil rights leaders don’t buy it, and neither do I. The provocative, over the top, incendiary talk show host doesn’t do anything by accident. He always has a keen eye on anything that he does. One eye is on what will shock, grab, and infuriate the largest number of people. That always ties in to his eternal hunt for ratings, ratings, and more ratings. Ratings are the mother’s milk of cable talk shows. Beck has delivered them better than most.

His other eye is just as firmly on President Obama — or rather, on dredging up anything that can belittle, ridicule and mock an African-American president. There’s no better way to do that than mock the day that for a half century has been nearly universally recognized as the moment when the nation and the world became riveted on King and the civil rights battle in America. Beck knew what he was doing when he picked the date, and the day won’t pass without Beck and speaker after conservative speaker invoking the name of King and the civil rights movement to tout a hands-off government, unchecked free markets, non-interference in the affairs of private business, and their phony “color-blind” notion of civil rights. The day also won’t pass without Beck and other speakers making the preposterous claim that if King were alive today, he’d be quite comfortable attending their rally. There’s nothing new about this shameful distortion of King by conservatives.

Starting with Reagan, Republican presidents realized that they could wring some political mileage out of King's legacy. They tried to recast him in their image on civil rights, and bent and twisted his oft times public religious Puritanism on morals issues to justify GOP positions in the values wars that they wage with blacks, Democrats and liberals.

With King safely gone for nearly two decades, Republicans in the mid-1980s eagerly grabbed at the famous line in his "I Have A Dream" speech at the March on Washington in August 1963, in which he called on Americans to judge individuals by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. Those sentiments prove, Republicans claimed, that King would be on their side against affirmative action. During the fierce wars over affirmative action in the 1990s, King's words were even more shamelessly used to justify opposition to affirmative action.

Even conservative black evangelists jumped into the act, staging a march to King’s gravesite to protest gay marriage, the implication being as a good Baptist minister, King would have been on their side. Coretta Scott King dispelled that notion by repeatedly issuing statements saying that she was a staunch backer of gay rights, and so would her husband have been.

The Republicans’ distortion wouldn't have been possible if some of King's pronouncements on religion and the black family did not superficially parallel GOP positions on crime, marriage, the family and personal responsibility. Republicans carefully cobbled together bits and pieces from King's speeches and writings during the 1950s and early 1960s to paint him as anti–big government, anti-welfare, and tough on black crime, as well as an advocate of thrift, hard work and temperance.

The snippets of conservative thinking in King’s early musings blended easily with the social conservatism of many blacks. And this was more than enough for Republicans to say that Kind would have been a big player on the GOP team. Beck and company merely picked up this manufactured view of King to justify their embrace of him.

Beck’s best efforts to stir his legion of Tea Party into a frenzy would come to nothing if millions didn't genuinely loathe Obama and his policies, and firmly believe that he has turned government into a monster that will turn their taxes into endless social programs that benefit minorities at the expense of hard-working whites. This is how hate-mongers on the right stoke the anger and alienation that many whites feel toward health care and, by extension, Obama. This translates to even more fear, rage and distrust of big government.

Glenn Beck’s rally is an outrageous and cynical ploy to hammer Obama. Beck can have it both ways. He can knock everyone else for playing the race card with Obama, while playing it hard himself with the timing of his rally. Leave it to Beck to find the perfect way to dishonor King.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. He hosts a nationally broadcast political affairs radio talk show on Pacifica and KTYM Radio Los Angeles. Follow him on Twitter: http://twitter.com/earlhutchinson

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Comments

cwdwigans

Posted Aug 24 2010

Mr. Hutchinson, I'll tell you what is shameful sir. You calling someone a liar without ANY proof whatsoever except your tendency not "to buy it". Shameful that you are nothng but a far left wing liberal who would go to any length to get the left wing agenda accomplished including writing things you cannot prove. A professional analyst with class would be able to truthfully report on issues without your personal beliefs made known. What difference does it make what date the rally is on? The only reason you wrote this piece is because you ,sir, HATE. Do you not have anything better to write about? Are you so poor at your job that you can't report on the real stories making headlines? You hate Mr. beck and will write anything derogatory to smear and dishonor his name. This is what shameful is sir and you should apologize publicly !!

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

The left is scared and they should be

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha..........your too funny........myself I can't wait to hear what Kings niece has to say on those steps at Becks rally.....Ha, I just noticed the ratings on this story. 3 times more people don't agree with your own story.....Everyone if you just watch Glenn one time for one hour on any given day (FoxNews @ 5:00est) you'll see yourself what a guy Glenn is...

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

Well how about we just have a cup of shut the F up, and while you are at it lets see what you write about when you see what happens to the worst president this country has ever seen come NOV. The only good thing I have to say about this obama man is that this country will never let this happen again for the next 200 years. So really I should say thank obama for this he woke this country up and he gave us a good look at what communist really looks like, and we are getting back to Trusting in God…..

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

You say King wanted us to judge Americans by their character and not the color of their skin. You're the first one in the article to point out the color of Obama's skin. That seems the way it is with most liberals. You are pulling the race card but your the one who is racist. The only reason you're dogging on Beck is because hes white and thought of the restoring honor rally and used the date before Al Sharpton. Who cares if he didn't realize the date or did it on purpose. You're splitting hairs when it comes to little things and don't get the point of the whole rally...to bring all Americans together regardless of skin color.

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

It's not a black and white thing....its a God thing. I don't think you will understand.
I'll pray for you. See you in DC? You betcha !!

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

Funny story about Glenn Beck at http://newspile.weebly.com/

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

Hey fella....it's not a black and white thing....It's a God thing. I don't think you'll understand.
We will pray for you.
BTW....Dr. King DID understand !!!!

See you in DC? You betcha.

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

Like Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama you have lost touch with the good American people and apparently live in a fantasy world with the other naive progressives.

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

Hey mr. Earl, did you know Dr. King was a Republican? guess not...

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

I'm glad he choose the 28th. Dr. King has been on my hero list since I was a teenager in the 60's. I have to admit I was a wrong thinking progressive back then.Spreading the wealth will only spread upward, not down. Progressive thinking is really designed to destroy the middleclass. I believe in a hand up NOT a hand out. If the goverent what's to spread the wealth, we should start with Ms Pelosi's millions first.

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

You sir are a moron and typical of the left's dependence to smear anyone as a racist when there is a disagreement. Long live the tea party and its mission, to preserve our freedoms and check the power of this tyrannical government gone amok.

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

@Earl Ofari Hutchins,

GREAT ARTICLE! Nothing but the truth! And as far as Alvina King goes she is a complete nut job and a total embarrassment to the name of Dr. King and she sooo f-ing stupid that she doesn't realize she's being use by the far right who could care less about her black @ss. The conservative party is sittling back laughing at her. Beck, Limbaugh, and Palin are nothing but media whores, playing on the mind and deep seeded hatred of the "Good Ole Boys" club while filling their pockets with money and the idiots who follow these clowns are too stupid to see it.

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

Take a breath and evaluate your bias. Beck is building bridges and Martin Luther King would stand side by side with him with their mutual efforts. Unfortunately, it is people like you and Al Sharpton who perpetuate bias and prejudice in our country through pure ignorance, sustained hate and deception. As well, although historically words and actions of President Obama create his own credibility gap, as I understand Mr. Beck's communication with America, it is to show that history does repeat itself. The policies, not only of the present administration but of others, promote an impairment to cohesive societal function and the ability of mankind to live with dignity and productivity.

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

The amount of people lining up to claim Glenn Beck is a liar is amazing. Whether he knew this was the anniversary date or not is really not the point of this article is it. It is just another attack on a strong conservative voice. What is necessarily wrong with " a hands-off government, unchecked free markets, non-interference in the affairs of private business". And what is wrong with painting Dr. King as "anti–big government, anti-welfare, and tough on black crime, as well as an advocate of thrift, hard work and temperance." Those are good things. And the funniest part of the article would have to be his attack on Glenn wanting ratings for his tv and radio shows. What does the end of the article say?
"Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. He hosts a nationally broadcast political affairs radio talk show on Pacifica and KTYM Radio Los Angeles." Who is wanting ratings? We should all be searching for the truth, not just slinging hate from one side to the other. God bless 8/28. God bless Glenn Beck!

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

I HOPE IT RAINS AND FLOOD ON 8/28/10...F-U GLENN BECK!

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

You obviously have a deplorable lack of facts in this story.

1) If you would have listened to Beck's scheduling information, you will find that you incorrectly call him a liar. He fully explained the scheduling himself.
2) Don't for a minute think African-American has anything to do with the disagreement on presidential policy. After all...it was indeed the President who has broken his promises (virtually every one including transparency, bipartisan leadership, posting bills 5 days prior to voting, reviewing bills LINE by LINE, not increasing taxes, keeping unemployment in check, and the list goes ON and ON). This is not an argument of color. It's an argument of substance, or lack thereof from our President.
3) Beck cites MLK as an honorable leader who upholds principles that are missing in today's society. How shameful it is that you play the race card. Another proof that Obama has split the country instead of, as he promised, uniting it.

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

Wow Earl...Mr Beck LOVES Dr. King. If you actually listen to him then it is YOU who is a LIAR. Which is no shocker for liberal news media. Why don't you either do your job and get the facts, stop lying or quit your job, you do not deserve to report your perverted version of 'news'. Further more, I respect your constitutional right to voice your opinion...no matter how misguided it may be. I see a lot of postings from people who obviously know more about history than you, their posts are based on FACT..Try it. One more thing, I have heard Glenn say on many occasions that he prays for Obama and his family every day, for their safety. He goes even further and asks for his viewers to do the same. I challenge you to listen to the man for 2 weeks, just watch his show and then come back on here and tell us all again just how racist he really is..hint...NOT AT ALL!

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

Don't let these liberals try to rain on this parade. Obama has awaken a sleeping giant and for once in a great long while, lying liberal journalists like yourself will not be able to mask the event with lies. The country will see you for the crooks you are with the way you report this event. As someone who majored in journalism and was taught to report without bias, you should go back to school and read up on ethical and fair reporting. Have you ignorant journalists have any clue at all with your dwindling revenues that the educated tax payer out there who no longer purchases your newspaper or watches your newscasts do so because they no longer believe the crap you are serving? Get a clue as to how the average American thinks before you are out of a job.

Anonymous

Posted Aug 24 2010

The only bridges Beck is building is a giant Bridge to Nowhere. Beck's the one who started off calling Obama a racist who hates whites - Breitbart used Sherrod to promote his own edited reconstructionism, just like most of the commenters on this page. Even if the repubs were to win in November, do you really think going back to the Bush policies and beyond is going to help? Dr King believed in RADICAL REDISTRIBTION OF WEALTH. As evidenced by cold facts, there have been two points in our history where taxes were at their lowest... 1928, and 2008. both around 29 - 25 % for the richest. It's amazing to see so many misguided hate filled parrots repeating what their Corporate Masters tell them to by watching Fake Fox News. F=6, O=15=1+5=6, X=24=2+4=6, FOX=666. There are only three letters in the English alphabet which equal six. It may be a coincidence, but shouldn't we be asking the question, why did FOX give solely to the Republican Governors particularly the ones who have overseen the worst state economies in recent history? No, I know you won't ask. Because Beck didn't tell you to.
Mr. Hutchinson, you are absolutely correct, and coming from a white independent in Florida, I appreciate your well summarized truth. Thank You.

Anonymous

Posted Aug 25 2010

The Farce of Glenn Beck's "Rally for America"
by Alexander Zaitchik

"...Throughout his career in Top 40 radio, Beck was known for his imitations of "black guy" characters and racist tropes. According to Beck's former colleagues in the late 90s, this included mocking unarmed blacks shot and killed by white police officers. Such was the case of Malik Jones, the victim of a controversial killing that took place in 1997.

"After the shooting, Beck sometimes did a racist shtick," remembers Paul Bass, a former radio host and Beck colleague at a Clear Channel station cluster in New Haven. "Glenn did routines about Jones' grandmother being on crack. Generally he made fun of his family and the loss of life--as joke routines."

Beck's racially tinged tirades did not disappear after he switched formats in 1999. During his first talk radio stint in Tampa, he often referred to the Rev. Jesse Jackson as "the stinking king of the race lords." Most recently, Beck has worked to resuscitate the names of famously anti-civil rights figures from the history of his adopted Mormon faith. He has respectfully played tapes of Ezra Taft Benson, who thought Martin Luther King was a communist agent out to destroy the Mormon Church (and who once wrote the foreward to a book of race hate whose cover illustration featured the severed, bloody head of an African American)..."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alexander-zaitchik/the-farce-of-glenn-becks-_b_692704.html

Anonymous

Posted Aug 25 2010

Glenn Beck And Ezra Taft Benson: Anti-Civil Rights Crusaders

http://wrightandleftreport.com/news/glenn-beck-and-ezra-taft-benson-anti-civil-rights-crusaders/

Anonymous

Posted Aug 25 2010

Alveda King, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s niece and one of Glenn Beck’s Restoring Honor rally’s keynote speakers, said if her uncle were alive today, he’d choose to attend the Aug. 28 rally that “demonstrates the spirit of love and unity and peace.” copy and paste the link below to read the full article.
http://dailycaller.com/2010/08/23/alveda-king-speaks-on-whether-her-uncle-martin-luther-king-jr-would-stand-with-glenn-beck-or-naacp-on-aug-28/

Anonymous

Posted Aug 25 2010

If you think about it, the biggest racists out there are Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. A 'white on black crime' happens, they're the 1st on the scene screaming about injustice and pouring verbal gasoline on an already sad, volitile situation. Why? Because they have made millions by doing just that. If they were truly interested in racial peace and were honorable men they wouldn't incite violence like they do. They would actually behave like what they call themselves: "Reverends." And furthermore, do you ever see them on scene or hear a comment from them when there is a 'black on white' crime? Never. They are nothing but predators, and ironically exploiting the very people they "claim" to be looking out for. Dr. King is most likely ashamed of them. At least Glenn Beck appears to practice what he preaches. God Bless.

Anonymous

Posted Aug 28 2010

Wngz
I found this blog browsing to see whether anyone has given serious evaluation to Beck's claim to have been unaware of the siginificance of his date choice. This single inquiry, it seems to me, is likely to be a more useful tool in evaluating Beck than all the fiery opinion wagging in all the comments below.
In short, if he knew the significance of the date, then he is (1) a liar willing to abuse the trust of his base, and (2) a widely popular public figure dangerously capable of dark and disturbing mass manipulation, and (3) a true hypocrite.
If it turns out he did not, those who accused him should consider that maybe it is they who are unfairly biased.
Fair enough? With me so far?

Good. So, what do we know? (This is where every reader has to look in the mirror and say "oh please!") This man sits atop one of the most wildly successful and lucrative machines in media.
No one really thinks, do they, that he went over to the Park Service and made the reservation himself? If "his people" really did not realize what day they had pre-selected, is not conceivable that they were not immediately informed by the permitting authority. (Don't you imagine that date might be a popular choice for permit requests for the Lincoln Memorial?)

Please: whatever your politics, right or left, do not ever, ever surrender your reason. If you would preserve your liberty, be especially skeptical of those who command masses -- whether elected, or self-elected.

Anonymous

Posted Aug 28 2010

News Flash!! The Lincoln Memorial, MLK, Lincoln, and August 28 (or any other date)---none of them are owned by any one or any race. If anyone else had applied for a permit, it must have been after Beck did. If Al Sharpton had wanted it, why didn't he reserve it? People may disagree with Beck, but, I found absolutely nothing he said, today, to disagree with, and I tried. He and others spoke of God, and how we should get back to Him. Beck spoke about those who have given their ives for our country, and those who were willing to die for us. He spoke about how we should all strive to be honest, honorable, and of good character. The other speakers spoke of the same things. Beck said that we can't have a great country unless the citizens are great and that we must look to God for guidance, and follow Him. He spoke of love of God, family, and country. Who is opposed to honesty, honor, and good character? Mr. Hutchinson, your article says much more about you than it says about Glenn Beck.

Anonymous

Posted Aug 29 2010

there are a lot of racist troll blog posts on the Internet - but what do you expect from Libtards?

Anonymous

Posted Sep 3 2010

I love this website. It show how ignorant and hypocritical liberals are. You are taking the country down.

Anonymous

Posted Oct 18 2010

Republicans want:

No Social Security
No Public Education
No Regulated Banking
No Medicare
No Healthcare
No Regulations for Wall Street
No Regulations for Insurance
No Tax to the Rich who make wealth by plunder of the poor
No Regulation of private business, all free trade
No environmental protection, so you can cut anyway you want , pollute anyway you can

Republican want:
All Plunder, Extortion, Scam, Feudalism, Anarchy and Capitalism for Crooks and Criminals.

This was possible in 1850, not any more in 2010.

Anonymous

Posted Oct 18 2010

Republicans want:

Republican want:
All Plunder, Extortion, Scam, Feudalism, Anarchy and Capitalism for Crooks and Criminals.

This was possible in 1850, not any more in 2010.

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