1/19: The state of King's dream across the South

Southern Political Report: The state of King's dream across the South on MLK Day

"What was the “State of the Dream” on Martin Luther King Day 2010? With an African American in the White House, an especially celebratory mood might have been expected as the national holiday was celebrated across the South. Yet mixed with the joy and pride, there seemed to be a cautionary or even admonitory tone in some of the messages commemorating what would have been King’s 81^st birthday.

"In King’s own Atlanta, Dr. Cornel West of Princeton University, a celebrated author, glazed his social and political message with evangelical passion as he urged the congregation at Ebenezer Baptist Church not to molder MLK’s memory and legacy by relegating the slain civil rights leader to the status of a museum piece. He cited the continuing presence of social oppression as a reason to “correct” President Obama when and if he strays from the mission of helping blacks and disadvantaged people.

"--Several thousand marched at the South Carolina State House in Columbia. Speakers and marchers called for removal of the Confederate battle flag from the capitol grounds, and called for more help for Haitian earthquake victims. " (More)

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State senate considers $1 billion for roads

ARKANSAS: Four, soon maybe five, cities hold urban deer hunts

FLORIDA: Freeze results in at least a 30% crop loss in Florida

GEORGIA: Nearly 600,000 without jobs in Georgia

KENTUCKY: Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage set to open in 2011

LOUISIANA: Number of swine flu cases drops in state

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour wants more authority to make discretionary spending cuts

NORTH CAROLINA: State law requires taxes on illegal substances

SOUTH CAROLINA: Realtors launch media campaign for state tax change

TENNESSEE: Hospital in state to stop hiring employees who smoke

VIRGINIA: Pro- and anti-gun rallies held at State Capitol draw crowds

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