Look, the evidence is in the archives of the Minnesota Historical Society where I put the records about 25 years ago. In 1964 I was Executive Director of the Minnesota Council on Religion and Race, and among other things, I tried to get the Billy Graham organization then headquartered in Minnesota to endorse the 1964 Civil Rights Act. They negotiated a little -- but not for long, but they then decided that it was not in their interests, and they refused. (I got all the Minnesota congresspersons, but not Billy Graham. I know he also refused an invite from MLK to talk about it. While I like Taylor Branch's history he really skipps over this matter.
What really boiled me about Billy Graham was when I discovered that he had the Hungarian Copyright on King's writings in Hungary not only on King's own books, but Gandhi stuff long out of copyright that Graham's organization had republished and recopyrighted as to translations. I was struck by the effort to put forward the idea of non-violence essentially as a suggested state policy in a Hungarian context, but not be willing to join a united religious front for the 1964 Civil Rights Act in an American Context.
Watching his interview with Chris Mathews -- I realize the guy is -- shall we say "forgetfull" -- But where you were on the big laws in 1964 -- that you don't forget.
Who posted this?
Posted by: Libby Sosume | May 29, 2006 at 22:14
sounds like this was written by one having long life and lots of experience to write from.
that would be
sara.
Posted by: orionATL | May 29, 2006 at 23:26
Sara -- please keep sharing the history, as I think all of us who been bumping around for a bit must. Don't let this tidbit about the great moral exemplar get flushed down the memory hole.
Posted by: janinsanfran | May 30, 2006 at 01:38
Thanks as always, Sara.
Posted by: jonnybutter | May 30, 2006 at 02:15
so billy graham rewrites history too
just like the rest of the repuglican christians
is that bearing false witness, or just straight up lying ???
reliogous hippocrites, they don't change much, do they ???
Posted by: free patriot | May 30, 2006 at 02:59
I watched the video (on Hardball's site). I didn't catch the "lie." Maybe I need to watch it again? Or is there a longer version? Transcript?
Posted by: Libby Sosume | May 30, 2006 at 11:40