"Why I Am Opposed to the War in Vietnam"
April 30, 1967, Riverside Church, New York
This seems to be an edited audio recording of the entire transcript. But on this day, take the time to listen to it. Substitute "Iraq" for "Vietnam" and this speech rings as true today as it did over forty years ago.
It's a dark day in our nation when high-level authorities will seek to use every method to silence dissent. But something is happening, and people are not going to be silenced. The truth must be told, and I say that those who are seeking to make it appear that anyone who opposes the war... is a fool or a traitor or an enemy of our soldiers is a person that has taken a stand against the best in our tradition.
...change came from America as we increased our troop commitments in support of governments which were singularly corrupt, inept, and without popular support and all the while the people read our leaflets and received regular promises of peace and democracy and land reform. Now they languish under our bombs and consider us... the real enemy.
...I oppose the war... because I love America. I speak out against this war, not in anger, but with anxiety and sorrow in my heart, and, above all, with a passionate desire to see our beloved country stand as the moral example of the world. I speak out against this war because I am disappointed with America. And there can be no great disappointment where there is not great love. I am disappointed with our failure to deal positively and forthrightly with the triple evils of racism, economic exploitation, and militarism. We are presently moving down a dead-end road that can lead to national disaster. America has strayed to the far country of racism and
militarism...
... I call on every man and woman of good will all over America today. I call on the young men of America who must make a choice today to take a stand on this issue. Tomorrow may be too late. The book may close. And don't let anybody make you think that God chose America as his divine, messianic force to be a sort of policeman of the whole world.
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1 comment:
ML King would've been mocked and crucified by not just the repubs but also the MSM.His voice has been so sorely needed for so long.I will never forget the week before the war,Jim Mcdermitt (D-Wash)was in Iraq being interviewd by George Steph saying how opposed hw was to the impending war.Steph asked him in what Steph obviously thought was a "gotcha"question asked "so you believe sadam isn't a threat to the U S"he replied "why yes George thats exactly what i'm saying and I thank you for the Question"it left Steph speechless.By the way,Mcdermitt has n't been invited back on the show.
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