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Editorial: All we are saying . . .

The Rev. Dr. Martin King Jr.'s philosophy of peace may be sorely tested when competing rallies staged by Glenn Beck and the Rev. Al Sharpton come within a stone's throw of each other Saturday at the Lincoln Memorial. But let's hope not. After all, it will be the 47th anniversary of King's "I Have a Dream" speech.

Talks show host Glenn Beck (left) and political activist Al Sharpton (right) will be stoking their political bases at rallies on Sunday in in Washington, D.C., on the anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech. (AP Photos)
Talks show host Glenn Beck (left) and political activist Al Sharpton (right) will be stoking their political bases at rallies on Sunday in in Washington, D.C., on the anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech. (AP Photos)Read more
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The Rev. Dr. Martin King Jr.'s philosophy of peace may be sorely tested when competing rallies staged by Glenn Beck and the Rev. Al Sharpton come within a stone's throw of each other Saturday at the Lincoln Memorial. But let's hope not. After all, it will be the 47th anniversary of King's "I Have a Dream" speech.

Right-wing radio-show host Beck claims that choosing Aug. 28 for his "Restoring Honor" rally, which will feature an appearance by Sarah Palin, was a case of "divine providence," not intent.

"Whites don't own Abraham Lincoln. Blacks don't own Martin Luther King," Beck said. "Those are American icons, American ideas, and we should just talk about character, and that's really what this event is about. It's about honoring character."

National Urban League president Marc Morial told the Washington Post that Beck's choice of day and setting for the rally was "insulting." But he and Sharpton say their "Reclaim the Dream Rally" isn't meant to counter Beck's.

That event will begin at Dunbar High School, and end at the planned site of the King memorial on the National Mall at about the same time that the Beck rally should be wrapping up. Sharpton says no confrontation is planned. "We will not desecrate the march and what King stood for," he said.

King certainly stood for freedom of speech, which will be expressed abundantly when folks gather at their preferred events. As King would, they should be exemplars of tolerance, maybe even taking the time to listen to what someone they disagree with has to say. If there's enough listening, maybe some will hear.