General Discussion

my favorite language. Last week, I was asked to venture to my home town this summer, to give a presentation on the development of what became the Constitution we are struggling to hold onto today. As you know, I find the Haudenosaunee influence on the Founding Fathers fascinating, including hearing stories about meetings in Albany and Philly handed down in Chief Waterman's family. More, as I told a gentleman last night (at my sister's granddaughter's high school basketball game) who approached me to discuss local history, the Franklin Plan of Union -- an outstanding document -- was followed by his friend's Galloway Plan of Union.

Galloway is my maternal side of the family. Joseph didn't want to go as far as had Ben, and advocated something of a half-step away from England. Another of my ancestors, John Ross, was a pro-England, close friend of Mohawk leader Joseph Brant. I think that the quality of conversations between the Founding Fathers is what Democrats -- from grass roots to DC -- should be engaging in today. Of course, I prefer a plan for the non-violent revolution of values that Dr. King advocated.

I also am fascinated by the cast of characters who served as the Founding Fathers of the civil rights era. And as you have noted, it wasn't just Dr. King, though all too often he alone is the symbol of that essential era. Forgive me for saying this, but I would not be surprised to see "Martin Luther King Sales!" popping up in dollar stores. There were many other leaders, including from the generation of Daddy King, who was more conservative in approach than his son.

There are hundreds of good books and documentaries on this period. Among my very favorites is Taylor Branch's three volume history of "America in the King Years." I suspect you are familiar, but if by chance anyone else on this forum reads two Elders' conversation, please read those books! For there were thousands of brave people, their names forgotten to history, who joined with Dr. King and the other leaders back then. Thousands of ordinary people who stepped up to accomplish extraordinary advances in human rights.

Even within his small group of closest associates, not everyone always agreed with Dr. King. This is a good thing, an essential feature, for any time two people -- much less thirteen -- think exactly alike, it means only one is thinking, to paraphrase Malcolm. And we remember Malcolm as representing a diiferent school of thought on the best approach at that time. It's ironic that while Malcolm scared a lot of people, the only public violence he was associated with was his being murdered on stage. And there were others like Fred Hampton and Muhammad Ali. A wide range of opinions, and what was best was when these very different men met with each other, behind closed doors, and talked shop.

Now a question I'm hoping you can answer: I know Rustin had planned a trip to India to, among other things, meet with Gandhi. I know that this was not long before Gandhi was killed. Do you know if he actually met with Gandhi? Thanks!