MLK’s Son to Edwards: ‘My Father Would Be Proud’
On the eve of Martin Luther King Day—just moments before the start of the Democratic presidential debate in South Carolina—John Edwards’ campaign released a letter sent by King’s son, Martin Luther King III, to the former North Carolina senator, praising him for his commitment to end poverty and injustice and calling for all candidates to emulate his initiative.
“I want to challenge all candidates to follow your lead, and speak up loudly and forcefully on the issue of economic justice in America,” King wrote. “My dad was a fighter…Keep fighting. My father would be proud.”
Edwards and King held a private meeting at the King Center in Atlanta on Saturday, and though details of that encounter were not disclosed to the press, the two men discussed Dr. King’s legacy and their “shared commitment to fighting poverty,” according to Mark Kornblau, a spokesman for Edwards’ campaign.
In his letter, King addressed the aims of Edwards’ campaign mission: “I appreciate that on the major issues of health care, the environment, and the economy, you have framed the issues for what they are - a struggle for justice. And, you have almost single-handedly made poverty an issue in this election.”
The letter could not have come at a more opportune time for Edwards, who was asked at the end of Monday night’s debate, “If Dr. Martin Luther King were alive today…why do you think he would or why should he endorse you?”
Without hesitation, Edwards said he has focused his cause on the “two biggest issues that Dr. King stood for, which are the issues of equality and ending poverty in America.”
January 20, 2008
The Honorable John E. Edwards
410 Market Street
Suite 400
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Dear Senator Edwards:
It was good meeting with you yesterday and discussing my father’s legacy. On the day when the nation will honor my father, I wanted to follow up with a personal note.
There has been, and will continue to be, a lot of back and forth in the political arena over my father’s legacy. It is a commentary on the breadth and depth of his impact that so many people want to claim his legacy. I am concerned that we do not blur the lines and obscure the truth about what he stood for: speaking up for justice for those who have no voice.
I appreciate that on the major issues of health care, the environment, and the economy, you have framed the issues for what they are - a struggle for justice. And, you have almost single-handedly made poverty an issue in this election.
You know as well as anyone that the 37 million people living in poverty have no voice in our system. They don’t have lobbyists in Washington and they don’t get to go to lunch with members of Congress. Speaking up for them is not politically convenient. But, it is the right thing to do.
I am disturbed by how little attention the topic of economic justice has received during this campaign. I want to challenge all candidates to follow your lead, and speak up loudly and forcefully on the issue of economic justice in America.
From our conversation yesterday, I know this is personal for you. I know you know what it means to come from nothing. I know you know what it means to get the opportunities you need to build a better life. And, I know you know that injustice is alive and well in America, because millions of people will never get the same opportunities you had.
I believe that now, more than ever, we need a leader who wakes up every morning with the knowledge of that injustice in the forefront of their minds, and who knows that when we commit ourselves to a cause as a nation, we can make major strides in our own lifetimes. My father was not driven by an illusory vision of a perfect society. He was driven by the certain knowledge that when people of good faith and strong principles commit to making things better, we can change hearts, we can change minds, and we can change lives.
So, I urge you: keep going. Ignore the pundits, who think this is a horserace, not a fight for justice. My dad was a fighter. As a friend and a believer in my father’s words that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, I say to you: keep going. Keep fighting. My father would be proud.
Sincerely,
Martin L. King, III
Tags: barack obama, Debate, hillary clinton, john edwards, Martin Luther King III, primary, South Carolina
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Those are very meaningful and powerful comments. I doubt that many realize that poverty is the underlying cause of so many of the issues that now face our country: the poorest of our young Americans are serving in Iraq; the poorest of our country are unemployed and uninsured; he poorest of our country have no access to a quality education. MLK, III is correct that John Edwards, and only Edwards, has made poverty the cornerstone of his life and his campaign. What few realize is that, when the poorest among us succeed, so do we as a whole.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was alot of help I wish he was still here now
John Edwards obviously needs more consideration by the american people and the new media’s attention has been biased against him and that needs to change.
John edwards has shaped this race, all candidates have adopted HIS stump and we need to recognize who is the original and who are the copy cat’s in this race.
John Edwards is the leader! and is the most electable because of that!
http://www.johnedwards.com
GO JOHN GO!!
THANK YOU Cristina Corbin!!! for bringing this very important and truth telling letter to the eyes of the american people today.
It is much needed good press for John, I hope we can look forward to more of the same.
Thanks again
to see the actual letter
http://www.johnedwards.com/news/20080121-mlk-iii-letter.pdf
to learn more about john and his ideas on the issues http://www.johnedwards.com/issues
to come talk to others about john http://www.blog.johnedwards.com
Thank you sir, for speaking up.
I can’t stop playing this.
Why haven’t I ever heard this other speech of his
before? The more I learn about Reverend King,
the more fascinated I become.
http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/1/21/182534/276
What an impressive letter to have received! America needs to step back and really give each candidate a look. Edwards really has the qualifications to be the next POTUS. His heart truly is for the people who have not had a voice before. He will demand that they be heard!
I am quite impressed with the letter MLKIII wrote to John Edwards. I really wish that more people are made aware of this letter and of what John Edwards is really about. He sounds like a true statesman to me and the country is in dire need of someone like him. It is time to really think about our future as a country and I believe John Edwards truly does that. We have been complacent too long, wake up America.
Yes, it is a shame that Edwards has been so dismissed and dissed by the national media. He truly deserves as much attention as the two celebrity candidates who are running. But it’s NOT TOO LATE. If Democrats are serious about winning the White House in November, then they need to seriously consider Edwards. I believe (and the polls show) that only Edwards can win against McCain.
what is your thoughts on how gay austin is????
austin and cody=LOVE!!!
JARED LOVES MEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for sharing this poignant piece of news with the voting public. John Edwards deserves more media attention as he is obviously an important part of the Democratic presidential race. We want to see more of him!
Thanks again Cristina Corbin!
fannypants…….i am sure we all feel the love
But,…..what are you going to do for your country today?
[...] MLK’s Son to Edwards: ‘My Father Would Be Proud’ On the eve of Martin Luther King Day—just moments before the start of the Democratic presidential debate in South […] [...]
John Edwards has brought the issue of poverty in America in to the national debate. His efforts have begun to shed a light on the tragic circumstance that our fellow citizens struggle with every day. For too long, far to few politicians have been willing to acknowledge this crisis which truly goes to the heart what kind of nation we are and what kind of a people we want to be.
The encouraging words, in this letter by MLK III, for John Edwards to keep fighting, to not give up, really should give voters a reason to give this man, this candidate, another look. We need a President who is willing to fight for all Americans, but most especially those Americans who have no voice to speak for them in our great democracy.
This is a great letter. I think it also sums up my support for Edwards too. Keep up this fight!
I live right outside DC. Trust me, Edwards is the only candidate that really understands this lobbyist thing, cuz the corporate lobbyists really do own our government. This system really is corrupt, and we need to fight against it. Dr. King Jr. would have mentioned “self-purification” as part of the fight for justice, and getting rid of the lobbyists and corporate special interests and their money and influence over our government, that is this step.
I am so, so proud to support John Edwards. MLK III rightly points out that John is a fighter and he will NEVER stop fighting for you and for me. The other candidates SAY they will fight, but words are weak and actions are strong.
John Edwards is my guy…and I’m with John and Elizabeth ALL THE WAY to OUR White House.
GO JOHN GO…You make the world a better place.
Thank you, Ms. Corbin, for giving well-deserved attention to this important letter from the son of Dr. King to John Edwards. It gives recognition to Sen. Edwards’ dedication to justice in America at all levels.
John Edwards is fighting the good fight for the American people, much as Dr. King did in his lifetime. He has spent his life dedicated to representing and caring about bringing justice to the people that society forgets to often remember. He does not change course, nor does he falter in his journey toward equality and opportunity for all.
His presidential campaign is one of honor and purpose as his eyes stay focused on the issues that really matter rather than getting distracted by the status quo political rhetoric the other candidates become engulfed in. He is the type of mature individual who needs to be in the White House safeguarding and fighting for the interests of the American people from all backgrounds. He will truly endeavor to restore democracy to our nation.
Thank you so much for reporting on this. This is a very important statement from MLK III and I applaud you for covering it.