Back in Little Rock, I find my various information sources full of Arkansas Republican politicians wrapping themselves in the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., and proclaiming a recognition of his legacy at, among others, a prayer breakfast this morning at the Governor’s Mansion.
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, for example, said:
“On this day, we celebrate the life of Dr. King. Let’s all take time to reflect on his accomplishments and commitment to ensuring freedom and justice for all across this country. The King holiday is not only a day of remembrance, but also a day of service as people across Arkansas and the country honor his memory by feeding the hungry, mentoring at-risk youth and finding other ways to serve their local communities.”
Could there be a better witness to King than for politicians to repudiate racism and exclusion and discrimination at the governor’s prayer breakfast and other events across the city today? This would include repudiating Donald Trump, Tom Cotton and Steve Womack for explicitly endorsing racially exclusionary immigration policies and endorsing a return of innocent children and Salvadorans at risk of death to native countries. It would include forthright declarations from the silent among our elected representatives. Their statements, if King is
A word in recent heavy use comes to mind for those, like Rutledge, who issue fatuous statements about equal rights while using tax money and the immense power of the state to litigate in courts across the country against equal rights for women, immigrants
We have not yet overcome.
UPDATE: Shameless Tom Cotton actually issued a Tweet quoting King on “opening the doors of opportunity to all God’s children, regardless of race, color or creed.” From a man slamming shut the door to children of color and despised religion seeking refuge on American shores. Hypocrite of the day, month, year and century.
ALSO NOTED: The many Republican politicians lauding King’s non-violent protests who’ve excoriated black athletes for silent protests during the playing of the National Anthem, including Mike Pence, who staged a walkout of a protest. Arkansas anthem demagogues have also invoked King today.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson took credit, deservedly, for signing long overdue legislation to end the state’s embarrassing dual observance of the King holiday with a tribute to Robert E. Lee, a vestige of the massive resistance movement.
“I’m proud to be able to say that today, for the first time, Arkansas is celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on his own day. Join me as we reflect on the courage of a man who marched for equality; the vision of a man who, in the face of hate and hostility, saw what could be; and the legacy of a man who brought a nation together.
PS: I haven’t yet heard a Republican politician invoke King’s call for the abolition of the death penalty.