Opinion

Has historic show of hatred returned to politics?

Posted August 05, 2016 1:00 am

Today, August 5, is the 50th anniversary of one of the most shameful days in the history of Chicago. Missiles of bricks, rocks and bottles were lobbed over the protecting police lines at those of us gathered in Marquette Park, having walked through nearby neighborhoods on behalf of open housing and an open city.

Leading our Chicago Freedom Movement march that day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was struck on the head by one of those missiles and he dropped to the ground.

That night on TV, watched by people around the world, Dr. King stated, "I have seen many demonstrations in the South, but I have never seen anything so hostile and hateful as I've seen here today."

Even more shocking and equally as "hostile and hateful" are the verbal missiles flying out from microphones in today's presidential election campaign! Those of us who were participants in that earlier episode cannot help but see today's eruption of hate as a sad and dangerous reprise and repeat of that shameful day in Chicago.

Martin Deppe

Chicago

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