Elyria

=Martin Luther King by Elyria=


 * Q: Dr. King what sort of things have you been involved with prior to the ‘Poor Peoples Campaign’?**

A: Well through my years I have been involved with many non-violent protests. I am an adamant and proactive Civil Rights Activist. Possibly our most memorable start was when Rosa Parks was arrested on the bus in Alabama and we successfully boycotted busses for a full year. My most important moment was the March on Washington when I delivered my “I Have a Dream” speech I let the people know how I felt and let them know that they were not alone and things were going to change.


 * Q: How do you feel about the Civil Right Acts? Do you feel that they have ended all racism and have provided African Americans with equality among all?**

A: Well of course I feel nothing but joy, but I do feel that there is much more to be dealt with. I feel that the Civil Rights have granted African Americans with faith that they can change their course of life. But, no, I do not feel it stops here. There are many more racial problems that will prevent the African Americans from progressing in America.


 * Q: What kinds of problems hold African Americans back?**

A: Well for so many years we have been discriminated against, we have been prevented from making a change in our communities. Our education has been poor and our defeats have left us with nothing but self loathing, it is time for the country that put us down in the dust to bring us back up. We deserve to start at the same level of equality as white men and women. Don’t get me wrong though, I feel not only for African Americans, but for all poor people. The government has but so much money in military funds but has put a minuscule amount in the homes of its own citizens to ensure stability among all Americans.


 * Q: How do you feel this can be accomplished?**

A: I feel that if the Federal Government gets involved and helps to achieve Economic Stability the country would be stronger. Each man and woman, no matter what the color of their skin, will be able to have the same opportunity. To long has money and color of someone’s skin caused issue in this “Promise Land”.


 * Q: How do you plan on getting your message out?**

A: I have organized a march called the “Poor Peoples Campaign” which will be held in March in D.C. I plan on bringing together all poor people who feel defeated by the problems they face. We want to created awareness among rich whites and among the government. There are people in our own country who need help, fighting wars in other places before we fight the wars we face here is irresponsible and with hope and faith hopefully the government will become enlightened.


 * Q: Speaking of the war, how do you feel about the Vietnam War?**

A: I am against it, like I said we can’t fight a war in another country if we can’t fight one right here at home. I feel, also, that it is just another way for the country to be racist. We are deploying young African American men who have just received their rights to vote and who want to fight for their people but instead are being deported to Vietnam and fighting for others.


 * Q: How do you feel about the recent uproar in violence between African Americans and Whites?**

A: I disagree with any type of violence. I believe that the power of faith will always prevail and that Gandhi, who is one of my idols, did it best. Peace is the best quality and with that comes the most successful outcome, yes it may take more time and yes there will be sacrifice but is sacrifice worse than violence and death? I only hope that African Americans will, again, realize that we need not right back, we are above it and “we will end up with equality in this Peace Land… I may not be here with you when it comes, but it will come”