To the editor:
Recently, I ran across an article written by Dr. Alveda King, niece of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., and daughter of civil rights activist Rev. A. D. King.
Dr. King began by taking note that in January, the U.S. celebrated 150 years since signing the Emancipation Proclamation — the end of slavery of black people in America. She then stated: “Still the babies are not free.” She noted that our country also marked 40 years of the March for Life held annually in Washington, D.C., “because babies still are not free.”
She went on to say that while Black History Month was celebrated in February, “still, the babies are not free.” April 4, Dr. Alveda King said, marked the 45th anniversary of the “death of our ‘Black Moses,’ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” and yet “still, the babies are not free.”
In August, Americans celebrate 50 years since her uncle’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, and yet “still babies will not be free.”
Dr. King stated that Juneteenth, a little-known holiday yet dear to African-Americans, recalls the freeing of the black slaves in America. She then lamented: “If only the babies in the womb were just as dear. More than 150 years later, however, an entire class of Americans is still treated as nothing more than property. Babies living in their mothers’ wombs are regarded by our laws as non-persons. It’s a tragedy and a disgrace.”
All the landmarks listed in Alveda King’s article illustrate how long recognition and protection of basic human rights can take. However, as the article states, “It also reminds us that American society can change so as to honor its founding principles.”
Those readers who desire to join others in looking forward to the day when we can celebrate a holiday commemorating the end of what Dr. King terms “the most devastating and dehumanizing practice since slavery: abortion” can do so by visiting www.AfricanAmericanOutreach.com
Donna Larkosh, Boscobel