Coretta Scott King

Honoring the Life & Accomplishments of Coretta Scott King

A Legacy of Her Own: Honoring Coretta Scott King

Coretta Scott King died at the age of 78. She was a committed activist and a forceful, courageous, and visionary woman who was determined that her husband’s achievements be remembered, and that his philosophy of nonviolence continue to be taught. Read more

Remembering
Coretta Scott King '51

Below is a moving speech by Dennis Kucinich
speaking from the Floor of the House - Extensions of Remarks

"Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Coretta Scott King, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and civil rights leader, whose courageous mission has left an indelible light of peace and justice visible across our country and around the world. Mrs. King gracefully raised aloft the dreams and legacy of the most prominent visionary for social change in our nation's history, her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Their unified mission of peacefully dismantling the racist foundation of America would change the course of our Nation forever.

"Mrs. King's entire life was framed by dignity, courage and an unwavering commitment to social justice and humanitarian causes. She grew up working in the cotton fields of Alabama, where she experienced the harsh reality of racism. Taught by her parents that only a solid education could open the door to freedom and opportunity, Mrs. King focused on her studies and graduated with honors from Antioch College in southern Ohio, one of the first integrated colleges in the country. While a student, she joined the NAACP and became deeply involved in the civil rights movement, foregoing a career in music to carry out the work of peace and justice.

"The assassination of Dr. King did not diminish her resolve. She courageously forged ahead on the road to justice, despite the danger inherent in her noble cause. As a young widow with four young children to raise, Mrs. King remained steadfast in her commitment to her children and also unwavering in her determination to continue on the path set by Dr. King. She took up the torch of her late husband, holding it high and dignified, exposing a broken society degraded by racism and injustice and illuminating the reality of peaceful change.

"Refined, articulate and reflecting a quiet grace, Mrs. King did not retreat from the movement sparked by Dr. King. She deliberately stepped out into the sharp glare of the public and bravely marched on, leading civil protests where her husband had marched before. She led an unrelenting effort to establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day, an endeavor that took her fifteen years and over six million petitions. Determined to keep Dr. King's legacy alive, Mrs. King founded the King Center in 1968, serving as its president for 26 years.

"Armed with a sharp mind, a warm smile and a passion for social change, Mrs. King journeyed around the world, speaking to college and church audiences and meeting with world leaders. Mrs. King championed the rights of the poor and advocated for social and economic justice for women and for the protection and rights of gay men and lesbian women. She marched in protest against racial discrimination across the South and was arrested for protesting apartheid in South Africa.

"Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor, recognition and memory of Coretta Scott King, whose life mission on behalf of human rights has served to raise the collective conscience of the entire world into the promise of universal freedom from oppression. Mrs. King's brilliant legacy, framed in peace, determination and dignity, will forever resound with the voice of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. -- along our urban streets, across the South and around the world -- echoing the ongoing struggle for freedom in a chorus of hope that will someday rise with their words on the dawning of a new day of peace and justice for all."

On the day Coretta Scott King was laid to rest, while most Americans were too busy working to pay much attention to the live coverage, the right-wing spin machine found a way to turn the funeral--before it was even over--into just another talking point for George W. Bush and his party.

Spin to the Right
The Nation., NY - 32 minutes ago

What matters about Coretta's funeral is how the family felt. Here are excerpts from a couple authors who appreciated that her funeral was inherently political. When the Reverend, a friend of the family, stated the facts, he got a standing ovation. I saw the King family applaud and smile proudly. The fight against injustice continues...

tim

The Reverend Joseph Lowrey said about Mrs. King...

"She extended Martin's message against poverty, racism and war. She deplored the terror inflicted by our smart bombs on missions way afar. We know now that there were no weapons of mass destruction over there..."

This led to a two-minute standing ovation during which President Bush shifted in his seat like a man who wished he had some Preparation H handy. Then the Reverend continued...

"But Coretta knew, and we know that there are weapons of misdirection right down here," he said, nodding his head toward the row of presidents past and present. "For war, billions more, but no more for the poor!"

So... was he wrong? Did someone FIND the WMDs during the funeral service? Did the 2007 budget suddenly find more money for education, health, public welfare and the other things slashed to pay for the war and the tax cuts for the wealthy?

No?

Has anyone from the family complained? Hardly! Those closest to her say Mrs. King would have LOVED the remarks.

This Is What It Sounds Like -- When Crocodiles Cry

"At least two speakers at King’s funeral service in suburban Atlanta took the chance to speak truth to power, the very thing that made both Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King’s lives so remarkable. Former President Jimmy Carter and the Rev. Joseph Lowery pointed out uncomfortable parallels between the Kings’ treatment by the government and some of the liberties taken by the Bush administration’s warrantless domestic spying operation.

“It was difficult for them personally — with the civil liberties of both husband and wife violated as they became the target of secret government wiretapping, other surveillance, and as you know, harassment from the FBI,” Carter said during the service.

Lowery was more sharp. “We know now there were no weapons of mass destruction over there,” he said. “But Coretta knew, and we knew, that there are weapons of misdirection right down here. Millions without health insurance. Poverty abounds. For war, billions more, but no more for the poor.”
Truth to power Anniston Star

Commentary: Honor Coretta Scott King by Continuing Her Legacy of Social Justice

Date: Thursday, February 09, 2006
By: Judge Greg Mathis, BlackAmericaWeb.com

Several of the speakers at Mrs. King’s funeral drew outside criticism for being too ‘political.’ Inside, however, I witnessed rousing ovations after each political remark. What was Mrs. King if she wasn’t political? She didn’t serve as an elected official, but she worked within and against the political system, along with Dr. King, to tear down racist Jim Crow laws and, after his assassination, to have his birthday declared a national holiday.
The Reverend Joseph Lowery, who co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Council with Dr. King, was not out of line for criticizing the war in Iraq and America’s treatment of the poor during his remarks. Mrs. King was a woman who firmly believed in nonviolent protest, she worked tirelessly on behalf of the poor and
underserved; Reverend Lowery’s comments served to remind everyone just who Mrs. King was and what she
believed in.

When former President Jimmy Carter spoke of Hurricane Katrina and the way the government handled the disaster, he meant no disrespect. And, when he pointed out that the King family was once secretly wiretapped by the government, he didn’t intend to be rude. Hurricane Katrina shined a much needed light on the state of race and poverty in this country and President Bush’s illegal domestic spying program has come under fire in recent months. Carter was simply pointing out how much more work remains to be done in the fight for social equality.

If there is anyone who should apologize for their remarks, perhaps it is President Bush himself. He stood before thousands of mourners and praised Mrs. King for her commitment to social justice and equality. The comments are well-deserved, but it is more than hypocritical for President Bush to laud someone with values so very different from his own without acknowledging those differences. Though her public appearances declined in recent years, it would be safe to say that Mrs. King did not approve of the war in Iraq, that she was appalled at the way so many African-Americans were forgotten in New Orleans as the flood water rushed in after Hurricane Katrina and that she was opposed to the President’s domestic spying program. By speaking as if he and Mrs. King had shared ideals and a common vision for America, President Bush, in effect, insulted all she worked for.

As we celebrate Black History Month, let’s take time to not only remember but honor -- through our actions -- Mrs. King and all of the soldiers from the Freedom Movement, past and present. True heroes should continue to live on long after they are gone.

---

Judge Greg Mathis is national vice president of Rainbow PUSH and a national board member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

VIDEO: Rev. Lowery’s Standing Ovation

Speaking before four presidents, including President George W. Bush, Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery received a standing ovation today at the Coretta Scott King funeral. Watch it:

We know now there were no weapons of mass destruction over there. [Standing Ovation] But Coretta knew and we know that there are weapons of misdirection right down here. Millions without health insurance. Poverty abounds. For war billions more but no more for the poor.

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