Remembering the one true King

Camp Hill, Ala.: Carron J. Phillips revealed Martin Luther King, not a sanctimonious, sanitized, and shorn caricature who advocated a color-blind society (“On the 50th anniversary of MLK's assassination, remember him for who he was and not as a prop to support flawed agendas,” April 4). King’s “I Have a Dream” is routinely co-opted by people he’d oppose ideologically. In fact, in the speech, King lamented that black people suffered the unspeakable horrors of police brutality, and said many March on Washington participants had been staggered by the winds of police brutality. Such relevance and reality, even as the nation convulses because Sacramento police killed Stephon Clark, amid murkiness.

King denounced America as the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today in his Vietnam speech. Incensed, President Lyndon B. Johnson railed and ripped King as the n----r preacher. After all, LBJ thought, I signed two major civil rights bills. Tavis Smiley wrote, 168 major U.S. newspapers incinerated King’s anti-Vietnam speech. How dare he deviate from the place they assigned him — civil rights? Now, 50 years later, Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid are penalized for not staying in their place, playing football.

J. Edgar Hoover ordered the FBI to harry and hound King, and goaded him to commit suicide. Death’s horror and heaviness hovered over King like the sword of Damocles. Undaunted, King pressed on.

King’s words for today: “Human progress is neither automatic or inevitable. . . Every step toward the goal requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” Marc D. Greenwood Jamaica: Martin Luther King’s birthday, Black History Month, assassination of MLK. Do you not think it’s time after 55 years to remember a man who was our President and was murdered to have some recognition in your paper? Just in case you don’t know, I’m speaking of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Brooklyn: When will The News show all the faces of the young black children who are abused and/or killed by a relative or by a “boy friend” of their mother? This is happening at an alarming rate. And what about all of the young black men who are killed by other young black men for usually dumb reasons? I guess it only counts when the killer is white. and complied with directions. Neither made any movements towards their apprehending officers that was construed as aggressive. Whereas, Vassell, a bipolar who, according to his own father, refused treatment and hadn't taken his medication in years, was aggressively pointing his gun-shaped pipe at civilians and officers alike, resulting in his demise, where he basically committed suicide by cop. As a friend of mine likes to say, “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.” Yonkers: We have a national discussion and outrage over unnecessary gun violence in our country (“NYPD shoot rage in Brooklyn,” April 5). Now, however, we have multiple policemen firing at one individual who is brandishing what looks like a gun. What does training consist of for policemen? Can they not shoot to maim, and why must several officers be shooting at the same time? In the armed services you have a battalion that goes out and in the event of a shooting, it is multiple soldiers shooting at multiple targets. We have had far too many deaths at the hands of police officers that could well have been avoided. Bronx: The Daily News’ attempt to besmirch the reputation of a career police professional who by all accounts has served this city honorably and with distinction is a new low in yellow journalism (“A ‘gift’ for grab,” April 3). Deputy Chief Michael Osgood made legal contributions to the Donald Trump presidential campaign with no quid quo pro. Where is the story here? He apparently preferred Trump’s policy positions over Hillary Clinton’s. I’m sure he doesn’t agree with everything Trump says or tweets but who does? To tie Trump’s sexist remarks, regurgitated on its front page, with the chief’s role at the NYPD is quite a stretch, belying all logic. It causes one to wonder what is the agenda of the Daily News as it relates to the NYPD. Pawleys Island, S.C.: I had the pleasure to work for Deputy Chief Michael Osgood for several years while assigned to the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force. Osgood is one of the most ethical persons I have ever worked for. To suggest otherwise is a farce. Professionally, Osgood would not put his political, or any other personal viewpoint, before the people of New York City and his dedication is renowned within the department. It is a shame what The News has become. Manhattan: The News’ Graham Rayman discredits his profession and himself by not naming the “former high ranking NYPD chief” who seeks to discredit Deputy Chief Michael Osgood. Based on the history of back stabbing and under-the bus throwing of NYPD politics, the story thus becomes a personal vendetta and Rayman became the flunky delivering the message. Manhattan: The News reports that Jose Gonzalez, charged with the murder of EMT Yadira Arroyo last year, “could be spared prison” as unable to be tried due to his current mental health, or lack thereof (“A killer break,” April 4). This is not correct. If he is found unfit he will be incarcerated in a secure facility, and if and when the doctors find he is no longer unfit he will be back in court for the case against him to proceed. Manhattan: To all the Voicers lamenting the disappearance of kids playing street games, don’t blame the internet. Just take a look at our streets. Kids were pushed off the streets long before the invention of the internet — by cars. Parked cars take up every inch of curb space, and more when they are double-parked. Moving vehicles have turned our streets into a dangerous space for children, and all of us. The majority of New Yorkers do not own cars; the majority do not even have drivers’ licenses. It’s time to rethink this important resource: our streets. Let’s reclaim our public space by improving our subway system and buses, modernizing our mass AP transit with light-rail and creating more protected bike-lanes and car-free pedestrian spaces. Let’s vote for leaders who will fight the car cartel with congestion pricing and promote plans for an efficient, people-friendly city. Schenectady, N.Y.: Voicer Thomas Lehnert needs to do more research on who is killed more by police. According to the most recent census data there are nearly 160 million more white people in America than there are black people. That is why more white people are killed by police. There are more of them! White people are roughly 62% of the U.S. population, blacks only 13%. By the way, not running or obeying commands does not always work, especially with black men: Read the details of Philando Castile’s murder by police — one example of way too many. Mineola, L.I.: To Voicer Maureen McGuigan who states “it is time for everyone to start acting like adults, put aside the hate.” Trump must lead the way as he is the POTUS, so let him be the first to act like an adult and put aside his hatred of Barack Obama! Bronx: To Voicer John Phillips: As a fellow musician, I agree: Ted Nugent sucks, as a musician and as a human being.