Wednesday, May 20, 2009

From Dream To Nightmare

I have the utmost respect for Dr. Martin Luther King and what he stood for.

At a time when his voice was needed, it rang out and resonated. It dispatched a message that was sorely needed at the time, he told us all of a better way. Facing steep odds, he paved the way for justice and equality to be available to all citizens, regardless of race or national origin. He did this at a time when there was very little justice, in this regard. He spoke of the need for equal opportunity for everyone.

It is my opinion this story should be kept alive, but only if it can be told in the context of truth. He deserves an accurate portrayal, without deifying or demonizing him. I feel it would do his legacy the proper justice, because it would show how a mere mortal being with the usual human faults and shortcomings could rise above them. It would show how he projected a true hope and painted a real attainable vision.

Sounds easy, right? Just get Spielberg to produce a major motion picture. Right?

Not so fast, it seems that Rev. King's heirs have differing opinions.

DreamWorks plans the first big-screen portrayal of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, the studio announced Tuesday, but two of King's children immediately threatened legal action because the film deal was brokered without their blessing.


Either it was without their blessing or they wanted to get a cut out of it.

To some, this might smell like a shakedown. To others, it may look like a greedy brother trying to pull a fast one on the sibs. Who can really say except for them, and their attorneys?

It's not uncommon for these family members to argue and fight, they have been doing it since the death of their mother. It's just another one of those tragic stories where brothers and sisters split and position themselves apart after the parents are gone, usually over the will.

At one time, at one moment, Martin Luther King had a dream, Since then, he has left us a legacy that should be preserved. But I would not imagine part of that dream included his children, his flesh and blood, acting like total fools with each other. If I were all of the parties involved here, I would be utterly ashamed of myself.

I lost my brother when he was but sixteen and I was twenty. What wouldn't I give to have him around to argue with, right now?

I think that if the story is accurately portrayed, there is a definite benefit for all to see. It will show just how those who followed him have altered his message to one of monetary gain, and spent the bulk of their time justifying their own existences. Maybe the only way to stop the kids from fighting is to throw the story of the sibs, after the death of Coretta, into the mix. People sometimes straighten up when under the microscope, certainly it may worth a try. Maybe then, with the prospect of the world seeing how silly they are, they will act like they have some damned sense.

But then again, maybe not.


20 comments:

HoosierArmyMom said...

It will show just how those who followed him have altered his message to one of monetary gain, and spent the bulk of their time justifying their own existences.
I see two problems here. First of all you are using Hollyweird and truth in the same sentence. With few exceptions, Hollyweirdos have failed time and again to truthfully portray history... no reason to believe it would be any different with Dr. King.

And also his survivors both family and friends (ie. Jesse and Al) have never failed to make a mockery out of Dr. King's work. His message has never failed to depict empowerment and earned equality, but it seems those who worked most closely with him have turned it into a message of dependence and victimhood! (With the exception of his widow, Coretta, of course).

So you see, the odds that this with turn into a project with real worth... are slim and none IMHO.

Now LA, when are you going to write an expose on the relationship between "Mr. Ducky" and that bastard Mustang???? LOL!!!!

Anonymous said...

For the record: Whoever writes an expose about the relationship between “Ducky” and Mustang is lying like a rug and WILL suffer the slings and arrows of the legal system, as Dewy, Cheatham, and Howe, representing the Mustang Group LLC sues their ass off.

The Sunset-Ham consortium is hereby warned.

Anonymous said...

IMO, the work accomplished by Dr. King has been for naught; people like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have turned King's positive influence into a racketeering system, using race baiting as its primary modus operandi.

We can't blame Jackson/Sharpton. They are no more than snake-oil salesmen. We have to blame people who prefer to live their life as the so-called victims of white oppression ... rather than availing themselves of the opportunities afforded to all Americans.

Anonymous said...

DreamWorks is also filming the life and times of LA Sunset; no doubt it will be rated X ... not for sexual themes, but because Sunset is a nasty-talking bastard.

Eric Cartman
SPE

HoosierArmyMom said...

LA Sunsett: It would appear that Mustang Group LLC has something to hide. I have a theory on this.

Of course I will have consult with my legal counsel at Schiester, Schiester, and Schiester PC before moving forward with any assertions that Ducky may just be one of "several personalities/alter egos" for a blogger we all know... or maybe just the cousin the family doesn't talk about????

Stay tuned! LOL!!!!

~Leslie said...

Well, with everyone lawyering up, the truth will take years and years to come out...

I would like to see us go back to the day when we didn't have to run to lawyers for every little disagreement. But I doubt that will happen. It is sad that the siblings cannot come to an agreement.

:D I would volunteer to be a judge in the case between Sunsett-Ham and the Mustang Group...but I might be a little bias.

Greg said...

I would like to see us go back to the day when we didn't have to run to lawyers for every little disagreement.Hey, now. I resent your anti-lawyer prejudice!:)

Anonymous said...

I agree with Greg. Were it not for the legal profession, we'd have lying bastards running amok throughout society; as it is, they are mostly confined to courtrooms and legal libraries and well supervised by learned judges.

Potius Pilot

HoosierArmyMom said...

Potius left out another area where large numbers of lawyers are confined to, but unfortunately wreak havoc on society... Congress. :-)

LA Sunset said...

//when are you going to write an expose on the relationship between "Mr. Ducky" and that bastard Mustang???? LOL!!!!//

We at Sunset Enterprises have no comment at this time.

LA Sunset said...

//The Sunset-Ham consortium is hereby warned.//

Blah, blah, blah.

LA Sunset said...

//but because Sunset is a nasty-talking bastard.//

Marsh is going to kick your ass for that one, Cartman. I paid him.

LA Sunset said...

//maybe just the cousin the family doesn't talk about????Maybe HE is the cousin that the family doesn't want to talk about.

LA Sunset said...

//I would volunteer to be a judge in the case between Sunsett-Ham and the Mustang Group...but I might be a little bias.//

For whom?

LA Sunset said...

//Hey, now. I resent your anti-lawyer prejudice!:)//

Yep, Greg is the exception. I'd hire him to do pro bono work for me anytime. Er...uh...well, you know what I mean. ;)

LA Sunset said...

//Potius left out another area where large numbers of lawyers are confined to, but unfortunately wreak havoc on society... Congress.//

Potius Pilot...

Let's think about this one a second. Sounds like a Latin-speaking drug runner to me.

Chuck said...

I think the family has really detracted from his dream. It's too bad.

~Leslie said...

*oops...sorry Greg LOL

*LA, I'm not saying. I'm being political --it goes to the highest bidder. I have to make money somehow in this 'crisis' economy before all of my hard earned cash is stolen from my piggy bank.

LA Sunset said...

//I think the family has really detracted from his dream.//

Yes. And it's called "I Have A Dream Inc." now.

LA Sunset said...

//*LA, I'm not saying. I'm being political --it goes to the highest bidder.//

Well, Mustang is a cheap bastard and so am I. So your greed will not be satisfied much on this shakedown.