Burning House, Martin's Dream and the Realization of False Truth

For many Black people today, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is often viewed as an idol. This piece is not intended to attack, discredit, or belittle him in any way. Rather, it seeks to illuminate the truths he began to acknowledge while also offering hope for what lies ahead. 

Numerous factors played a role in the journey of Brother King. While the criticism surrounding some of his beliefs was present, his courage and passion for the people shone through clearly. Martin seemed to genuinely believe that people's intentions could evolve, even in the face of openly abusive tactics that suggested otherwise.  The "violence" present in 

these nonviolent demonstrations remain deeply unsettling today. Witnessing elderly grandmothers being struck by officers' nightsticks is difficult to watch, read about, or experience firsthand. I often wonder if he truly believed that this approach would bring about change or if he was simply working in hopes of a better outcome. It’s evident that he was both adamant and determined. Rarely, if ever, is Brother King's militant side shared. 

Dr. King was a Christian and a reverend, and much of his organizing efforts were rooted in the Black church, an institution that has been in our culture for centuries.  However so, we still must connect and validate the necessity of being militant. In 2015, the Black church was targeted, resulting in the tragic loss of nine beautiful souls. While militant Christian groups are rare, there were the Deacons of Defense, a group of armed Black men who collaborated with figures like Robert Williams. Perhaps King's reluctance to adopt a militant approach mirrored the current portrayal of Black men who uphold the Second Amendment. No matter 

the case and though our legal right any Black man or woman seen with a firearm is proposed as a "threat". We don't have the luxury to let our character speak for itself, at least to those who don't look like us. In contrast, others such as Malcolm X and Robert Williams took more aggressive stances, while King, although not militant himself, engaged with other Black men who were.   

It was evident that Dr. King commanded the voice and respect of the people. His commitment to nonviolence reflected the tactics of Gandhi. While nonviolence should be a fundamental practice within the community, the importance of self-defense cannot be overlooked. Many people opposed the idea of permitting harm without consequences as a 

way to inspire change in response to the horrific actions of the oppressors.

Many others seized this opportunity to promote their agendas under the influence of Dr. King. Efforts to censor other militant actions aimed at safeguarding the community or protecting individuals in that straightforward endeavor. Kings wait on promised legislative changes, "equal opportunities " and other propaganda may be considered similar to today's Dei agenda. And by the time he realized that these changes were never going to happen, he saw that the house itself was already burning down.

He was connected to certain groups but often remained distant from many Black Nationalism organizations. He advocated for integration and nonviolent civil disobedience as a means to achieve these goals. Similarly, Black Nationalism also supports nonviolence while emphasizing Black self-sufficiency and the right to armed self-defense.  Many believe if he would have tied himself to this side of the spectrum he would have lost support. This may hold some truth for individuals who don't resemble him; however, he would have garnered support for his contributions to figures like Garvey or Brother Malcolm X. 

The ongoing drive to integrate into various sectors has overshadowed our enthusiasm for acquiring and empowering equity for our people. 

Reflecting on today, we observe that many individuals from different backgrounds reference Dr. King in their own narratives. However, we still find ourselves no where closer to the dream he envisioned, which will remain just that—a dream. We will continue to endure the heat of burning houses until we take the initiatives to construct our own. Struggling for inclusion in spaces where we are not welcomed has led our community to overlook the collective achievements we have made in this nation. While we frequently celebrate those who were the first to reach certain milestones, it is equally important to take pride in the numerous Black-owned businesses in our local communities. These enterprises have honed their skills in various trades or crafts, allowing them to be competitive in the market and serve our community effectively. The absence of celebration for them can be linked to their lack of presence and the reduced significance of prioritizing our spending within our own community. It is crucial for us, as a community, to reaffirm our dedication to these fundamental financial principles.

During the era of segregation, many Blacks opened businesses as a response to being refused service elsewhere. This sparked the creation of small restaurants, corner stores, repair shops, barbershops, and more, all aimed at making those who look like us feel comfortable and welcomed. The drive to support their community outweighed the desire for acceptance, despite the many sacrifices made by our people in this country. A notable wait on the sidewalk until his prescription was ready. Muse later pursued a degree in 

pharmacy at Howard University and, in 1952, established Green Valley Pharmacy in 

California. His pharmacy served primarily Black customers and featured a lunch counter, 

providing meals at a time when Black individuals were denied service at lunch counters, providing meals at a time when Black individuals were denied service at lunch counters elsewhere. Nationalism fosters a focus on self-sufficiency rather than empty inclusiveness 

and misleading promises. It encourages a respectful approach to support and invest in one another's efforts for a stronger collective future. 

If King had ever embraced a Nationalist mindset, the support he would have garnered would have exceeded his expectations. His lofty aspirations and sacrifices are not forgotten, even though the path to realizing his dream seems to be a dead end today. The vision of our ancestors persists, and each day brings us closer as we work together. Influential figures like Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, and other Nationalists recognized that the solutions to our collective challenges lie within the people.

The urgency to address this matter is greater than ever, as we have strayed from our collective self-sufficiency. We tend to spend our money everywhere except with one another. Even when faced with poor customer service, we often default to franchises and corporations as our primary sources for fulfilling our needs. The schools, which our ancestors fought tirelessly to for us to integrate with, continue to prioritize their own narratives while 

neglecting, if not outright ignoring, ours. We alone bear the responsibility for our solutions. It is essential that we reduce our dependence on other nationalities and strive to foster more interactions among ourselves. Let us commit to pushing, building, protecting, and supporting one another. There’s no better time than now to begin implementing these practices. 

This should not be limited to holidays or as a reaction to injustices but embraced as a way of life. With the freedoms available to us today, we have the opportunity to educate our youth, whether within our homes or in community spaces. Engaging in selfless acts, such as pooling our resources to create businesses, cultivate food, and raise livestock, presents ideal courses of action. We don’t need to merely dream about what we can achieve; we can start living it 

right now.  

The legacy of Dr. King is frequently overshadowed by misleading narratives and twisted perspectives on liberation. Nevertheless, as his descendants, we can honor his contributions by promoting racial collaboration in this new age. Let's educate our youth and uplift our communities, understanding that when we unite beyond our differences, we can genuinely create, or at least strive to create, everything we need and start addressing issues without resorting to oppression or pleading to the oppressors' hands.

The Negro will have to build his own industry, art, sciences, literature, and culture before 

the world will stop to consider him- Marcus Mosiah Garvey 

Wishing you the best  

Chuck King