HISTORICAL DOCUMENT
“Men and Women everywhere, regardless of color or creed, are equal members of the human family.” — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This Moment in Texas History...
Judge LaShawn Williams
Meet the Presiding Judge for County Civil Court at Law #3 in Harris County,Texas
www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com
2
HBC MAGAZINE®
“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”
NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE LASHAWN WILLIAMS UNSEATED JUDGE LINDA STOREY BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
In case you don’t know, Judge LaShawn A. Williams would have still defeated Republican Judge Linda Storey in the race for Judge, County Civil Court at Law No. 3 – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: LaShawn A. Williams received 641,699 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straightticket votes, you come up with 126,941 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Judge Linda Storey received from her overall vote total of 536,665 you come up with 126,605 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straightticket votes received by LaShawn A. Williams and Judge Linda Storey, she would have still defeated Judge Storey by approximately 336 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.
®
THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033
HBC MAGAZINE®
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”
3
®
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
Our Bill of Rights was Proposed in 1789 and enacted on Thursday, December 15, 1791
1st Amendment: Protects the people's right to practice religion, to speak freely, to assemble (meet), to address the government and of the press to publish. 2nd Amendment: Protects the right to own guns. 3rd Amendment: Guarantees that the army cannot force homeowners to give them room and board. 4th Amendment: Protects the people from the government improperly taking property, papers, or people, without a valid warrant based on probable cause (good reason). 5th Amendment: Protects people from being held for committing a crime unless they are properly indicted, that they may not be tried twice for the same crime, and that you need not be forced to testify against yourself. It also contains due process guarantees. 6th Amendment: Guarantees a speedy trial, an impartial jury, and that the accused can confront witnesses against them, and that the accused must be allowed to have a lawyer. 7th Amendment: Guarantees a jury trial in federal civil court cases. This type of case is normally no longer heard in federal court. 8th Amendment: Guarantees that punishments will be fair, and not cruel, and that extraordinarily large fines will not be set. 9th Amendment: Simply a statement that other rights aside from those listed may exist, and just because they are not listed doesn't mean they can be violated. 10th Amendment: Says that any power not granted to the federal government belongs to the states.
These amendments passed once the United States Constitution was adopted.
11th Amendment - Enacted on February 7, 1795 — Says how someone from one state can sue another state. 12th Amendment - Enacted on June 15, 1804 — Redefines how the President and Vice-President are chosen by the Electoral College. 13th Amendment - Enacted on December 6, 1865 — Abolished slavery in the entire United States.
14th Amendment - Enacted on July 9, 1868 — People had rights on the federal level and on the state level, too. Dealt with civil war items. 15th Amendment - Enacted on February 3, 1870 — Ensured that a person’s race could not be used as criteria for voting. 16th Amendment - Enacted on February 3, 1913 — Authorizes the United States to collect income taxes. 17th Amendment - Enacted on April 8, 1913 — Shifted the choosing of Senators from the state legislatures to the people of the states. 18th Amendment - Enacted on January 16, 1919 — Abolished the sale or manufacture of alcohol in the United States. 19th Amendment - Enacted on August 18, 1920 — Ensures that sex could not be used as a criteria for voting. 20th Amendment - Enacted on January 23, 1933 — Set new start dates for the terms of the Congress and the President. 21st Amendment - Enacted on December 5, 1933 — Repealed the 18th Amendment. 22nd Amendment - Enacted on February 27, 1951 — Set a limit on the number of times a President could be elected - two fouryear terms. 23rd Amendment - Enacted on March 29, 1961 — Grants the Washington D.C. the right to three electors in Presidential elections. 24th Amendment - Enacted on January 23, 1964 — Ensured that no tax could be charged to vote for any federal office. 25th Amendment - Enacted on February 10, 1967 — Establishes rules for a President who becomes unable to perform his duties while in office. 26th Amendment - Enacted on July 1, 1971 — Ensures that any person 18 or over may vote. 27th Amendment - Enacted on May 7, 1992 — Any law that increased the pay of legislators may not take effect until after an election.
Aubrey R. Taylor Communications is the publisher of Ground-Game Magazine® and Houston Business Connections Newspaper® . No information contained herein may be reprinted or published in any other form without our expressed written permission.The mission of Houston Business Connections Magazine© is to assist our readers with identifying corporations, public servants, small business owners, and other entities who value our support as we endeavor to inform, empower and motivate our readers to actively participate in the process of cooperative economics and positive voter engagement. Call (832)212-8735 or (281)788-3033 if you need assistance with your branding, marketing or advertising needs!
6
HBC MAGAZINE®
“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”
NEWLY ELECTED COUNTY CLERK DIANE TRAUTMAN UNSEATED STAN STANART BACK ON NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
In case you don’t know, County ClerkDiane Trautman would have still defeated Republican County Clerk Stan Stanart in the race for Harris County Clerk – even without the 104,698 straightticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. In case you don’t know, a Libertarian candidate by the name of Abel Chirino Gomez was also on the ballot in the race for Harris County Clerk. But this race was all about Diane Trautman who received 648,647 votes, for 54.59% of the vote. Stan Stanart only received 509,299 votes, for 42.86% of the vote. And Abel Chirino Gomez received 30,288 votes, for 2.55% of the vote. So, when you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, away from Diane Trautman’s overall vote total, you come up with 133,889 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Stan Stanart received from his overall vote total of 509,299 you come up with 99,239 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Diane Trautman and County Clerk Stan Stanart, she would have still defeated him by approximately 34,650 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.
®
THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...
HBC MAGAZINE®
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”
7
8
HBC MAGAZINE®
“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”
NEWLY ELECTED JUSTICE RICHARD HIGHTOWER UNSEATED JUSTICE MICHAEL MASSENGALE IN THE RACE FOR JUSTICE, 1ST COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT, PLACE 8 BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
Congratulations to Justice Richard Hightower for his Tuesday, November 6, 2018, midterm election victory over Republican Justice Michael Massengale in the race for Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 8. In case you don’t know, Richard Hightower received 905,728 votes, for 52.65% of the vote, and Michael Massengale received 814,347 votes for 47.34% of the vote. The First Court of Appeals serves the Houston, Texas area. This court consists of nine justices and hears appeals and original proceedings from these ten counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Waller, and Washington.
®
THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033
HBC MAGAZINE®
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”
9
10
HBC MAGAZINE®
“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”
NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE SANDRA PEAKE DEFEATED MELANIE FLOWERS BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
In case you don’t know, Judge Sandra Peake would have still defeated Republican Melanie Flowers in the race for Family District Judge, 257th Judicial District Court – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Sandra Peake received 649,986 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 135,228 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Melanie Flowers received from her overall vote total of 529,888 you come up with 119,828 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Sandra Peake and Melanie Flowers, she would have still defeated Flowers by approximately 15,400 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.
®
THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033
HBC MAGAZINE®
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”
11
12
HBC MAGAZINE®
“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”
NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE JANICE BERG UNSEATED JUDGE JOHN SCHMUDE BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
In case you don’t know, Judge Janice Berg would have still defeated Republican Judge John Schmude in the race for Family District Judge, 247th Judicial District Court – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Janice Berg received 658,078 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 143,320 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straightticket votes, Judge John Schmude received from his overall vote total of 521,773 you come up with 111,713 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Janice Berg and Judge John Schmude, she would have still defeated him by approximately 31,607 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.
®
THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033
HBC MAGAZINE®
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”
13
14
HBC MAGAZINE®
“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”
NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE TONYA JONES DEFEATED ROGER BRIDGWATER BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
In case you don’t know, Judge Tonya Jones would have still defeated Republican Roger Bridgwater in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No. 15 – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Tonya Jones received 651,162 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 136,404 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Roger Bridgwater received from his overall vote total of 526,808 you come up with 116,748 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Tonya Jones and Roger Bridgwater, she would have still defeated him by approximately 19,656 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.
®
THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033
HBC MAGAZINE®
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”
15
16
HBC MAGAZINE®
“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”
NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE ANGELA GRAVES HARRINGTON UNSEATED JUDGE CHARLEY PRINE BACK ON NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
In case you don’t know, Judge Angela Graves Harrington would have still defeated Judge Charley Prine in the race for Family District Judge, 246th Judicial District Court – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Angela Graves Harrington received 669,801 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 155,043 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Judge Charley Prine received from his overall vote total of 510,242 you come up with 100,182 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Angela Graves Harrington and Judge Charley Prine, she would have still defeated him by approximately 54,861 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.
®
THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033
HBC MAGAZINE®
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”
17
18
HBC MAGAZINE®
“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”
NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE CLINTON “CHIP” WELLS UNSEATED JUDGE DAVID FARR BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
In case you don’t know, Judge Clinton “Chip” Wells would have still defeated Republican Judge David Farr in the race for Family District Judge, 312th Judicial District Court – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion he received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Clinton Chip Wells received 645,061 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 130,303 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Judge David Farr received from his overall vote total of 533,413 you come up with 123,353 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Clinton “Chip” Wells and Judge David Farr, he would have still defeated Judge Farr by approximately 6,950 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.
®
THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033
HBC MAGAZINE®
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”
19
20
HBC MAGAZINE®
“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”
JUDGE GEORGE BARNSTONE WAS THE ONLY SITTING DISTRICT JUDGE IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS TO WIN RE-ELECTION BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
In case you don’t know, Judge George Barnstone didn’t have any trouble emerging as the victor in his rematch with Former Republican Judge Clyde Raymond Leuchtag. Heck, Judge Barnstone would have still defeated Former Judge Clyde Raymond Leuchtag in the race for Judge, County Civil Court at Law No.1 – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion he received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Judge George Barnstone received 649,666 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 134,908 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Clyde Raymond Leuchtag received from his overall vote total of 528,050 you come up with 117,990 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Judge George Barnstone and Former Judge Clyde Raymond Leuchtag he would have still defeated Former Judge Leuchtag by approximately 16,918 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.
®
THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...
HBC MAGAZINE®
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”
21
22
HBC MAGAZINE®
“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”
NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE JIM KOVACH DEFEATED ERIN SWANSON BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
In case you don’t know, Judge Jim Kovach would have still defeated Republican Erin Swanson in the race for Judge, County Civil Court No.2 – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion he received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Jim Kovach received 662,116 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 147,358 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Erin Swanson received from her overall vote total of 515,928 you come up with 105,868 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Jim Kovach and Erin Swanson, he would have still defeated her by approximately 41,490 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.
®
THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033
HBC MAGAZINE®
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”
23
24
HBC MAGAZINE®
“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”
NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE WILLIAM “BILL” MCLEOD DEFEATED SOPHIA MAFRIGE BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
In case you don’t know, Judge William “Bill” McLeod would have still defeated Republican Sophia Mafrige in the race for Judge, County Civil Court No.4 – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion he received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: William “Bill” McLeod received 646,153 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 131,395 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Sophia Mafrige received from her overall vote total of 531,969 you come up with 121,909 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by William “Bill” McLeod and Sophia Mafrige, he would have still defeated her by approximately 9,486 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.
®
THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033
HBC MAGAZINE®
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”
25
26
HBC MAGAZINE®
“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”
NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE TORIA J. FINCH DEFEATED JOHN WAKEFIELD BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
In case you don’t know, Judge Toria J. Finch would have still defeated John Wakefield in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No. 9 – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Toria J. Finch received 656,166 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 141,408 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, John Wakefield received from his overall vote total of 521,157 you come up with 111,097 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Toria J. Finch and John Wakefield, she would have still defeated him by approximately 30,311 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.
®
THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033
HBC MAGAZINE®
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”
27
28
HBC MAGAZINE®
“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”
NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE SEDRICK T. WALKER, II DEFEATED AARON BURDETTE BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
In case you don’t know, Judge Sedrick T. Walker, II would have still defeated Republican Aaron Burdette in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court No.11 – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion he received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Sedrick T. Walker II received 645,714 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 130,956 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Aaron Burdette received from his overall vote total of 531,260 you come up with 121,200 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Sedrick T. Walker, II, and Aaron Burdette, he would have still defeated Aaron Burdette by approximately 9,756 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.
®
THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033
HBC MAGAZINE®
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”
29
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Every Day
During the less than 13 years of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s leadership of the modern American Civil Rights Movement, from December, 1955 until April 4, 1968, African Americans achieved more genuine progress toward racial equality in America than the previous 350 years had produced. Dr. King is widely regarded as America’s pre-eminent advocate of nonviolence and one of the greatest nonviolent leaders in world history. Drawing inspiration from both his Christian faith and the peaceful teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. King led a nonviolent movement in the late 1950’s and ‘60s to achieve legal equality for African-Americans in the United States. While others were advocating for freedom by “any means necessary,” including violence, Martin Luther King, Jr. used the power of words and acts of nonviolent resistance, such as protests, grassroots organizing, and civil disobedience to achieve seemingly-impossible goals. He went on to lead similar campaigns against poverty and international conflict, always maintaining fidelity to his principles that men and women everywhere, regardless of color or creed, are equal members of the human family. Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, Nobel Peace Prize lecture and “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” are among the most revered orations and writings in the English language. His accomplishments are now taught to American children of all races, and his teachings are studied by scholars and students worldwide. He is the only non-president to have a national holiday dedicated in his honor, and is the only non-president
HBC MAGAZINE®
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”
31
memorialized on the Great Mall in the nation’s capitol. He is memorialized in hundreds of statues, parks, streets, squares, churches and other public facilities around the world as a leader whose teachings are increasingly-relevant to the progress of humankind.
Some of Dr. King’s most important achievements include:
In 1955, he was recruited to serve as spokesman for the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which was a campaign by the African-American population of Montgomery, Alabama to force integration of the city’s bus lines. After 381 days of nearly universal participation by citizens of the black community, many of whom had to walk miles to work each day as a result, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in transportation was unconstitutional. In 1957, Dr. King was elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), an organization designed to provide new leadership for the now burgeoning civil rights movement. He would serve as head of the SCLC until his assassination in 1968, a period during which he would emerge as the most important social leader of the modern American civil rights movement. In 1963, he led a coalition of numerous civil rights groups in a nonviolent campaign aimed at Birmingham, Alabama, which at the time was described as the “most segregated city in America.” The subsequent brutality of the city’s police, illustrated most vividly by television images of young blacks being assaulted by dogs and water hoses, led to a national outrage resulting in a push for unprecedented civil rights legislation. It was during this campaign that Dr. King drafted the “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” the
32
HBC MAGAZINE®
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”
manifesto of Dr. King’s philosophy and tactics, which is today required-reading in universities worldwide. Later in 1963, Dr. King was one of the driving forces behind the March for Jobs and Freedom, more commonly known as the “March on Washington,” which drew over a quarter-million people to the national mall. It was at this march that Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, which cemented his status as a social change leader and helped inspire the nation to act on civil rights. Dr. King was later named Time magazine’s “Man of the Year.” In 1964, at 35 years old, Martin Luther King, Jr. became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize. His acceptance speech in Oslo is thought by many to be among the most powerful remarks ever delivered at the event, climaxing at one point with the oft-quoted phrase “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant.” Also in 1964, partly due to the March on Washington, Congress passed the landmark Civil Rights Act, essentially eliminating legalized racial segregation in the United States. The legislation made it illegal to discriminate against blacks or other minorities in hiring, public accommodations, education or transportation, areas which at the time were still very segregated in many places. The next year, 1965, Congress went on to pass the Voting Rights Act, which was an equally-important set of laws that eliminated the remaining barriers to voting for African-Americans, who in some locales had been almost completely disenfranchised. This legislation resulted directly from the Selma to Montgomery, AL March for Voting Rights lead by Dr. King. Between 1965 and 1968, Dr. King shifted his focus toward economic justice – which he
HBC MAGAZINE®
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”
33
highlighted by leading several campaigns in Chicago, Illinois – and international peace – which he championed by speaking out strongly against the Vietnam War. His work in these years culminated in the “Poor Peoples Campaign,” which was a broad effort to assemble a multiracial coalition of impoverished Americans who would advocate for economic change. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s less than thirteen years of nonviolent leadership ended abruptly and tragically on April 4th, 1968, when he was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. King’s body was returned to his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, where his funeral ceremony was attended by high-level leaders of all races and political stripes.
Donate to the King Center and Get Involved Today!
Over the past year, we have been inundated with violence in our nation and around the world! These tragic circumstances have served as searing reminders of the continued relevance of Dr. King's message of nonviolence. We need to hear and embrace Dr. King's message now more than ever! We need your support to insure that Dr. King's voice is heard and this critical work continues. Your donation will help us engage, educate, and train people around the world using Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy and strategies, which we call Nonviolence365™ (NV365™). With your help and with God’s grace, peace will prevail and The King Center will continue Dr. King’s mission for nonviolent social change. Let’s stand together… on this King Holiday, and make a difference by making a contribution that honors the work and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. ARE YOU READY? DONATE TODAY! $3 – Become an "Activist Supporter" and
34
HBC MAGAZINE®
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”
help the King Center spread the message of nonviolence around the world $30 – In honor of the 30-Year Anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday, become a "NV365™ Champion Supporter" and fund our Nonviolence365™ Education and Training Programs $60 – In honor of the 60th Anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, become a “Drum Major for Justice” and help The King Center develop innovative digital and technology solutions that spread Dr. King’s Nonviolence philosophy and teach ways to become a “Beloved Community” $300 - become a "Youth Champion" by supporting CAMP NOW, a nonviolence and leadership training camp for young people. Other – Become a "Movement Supporter" by giving a donation of your choice The King Center is a 501(c)3. All donations are tax deductible Also, please take a moment to sign up for the King Center Newsletter (bottom of page) and stay informed!!! Your generous support helps us promote and preserve Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy, support programmatic growth, provide nonviolence education and training, and maintain The King Center facilities visited by over a million people each year. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc. is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and your donation may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income purposes. Please consult with your tax advisor or the Internal Revenue Service regarding specific questions about your deductions. —————————————————————— Checks should be made payable to “THE KING CENTER” if you would like to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"The King Center"
449 Auburn Avenue, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30312
“It is not possible to be in favor of justice for some people and not be in favor of justice for all people.”
"Everybody can be great ... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.