Gandhi & MLK as “global citizens” - As Gandhi helped shape struggle through civil disobedience against colonialism and oppression, MLK broke the silence that implicitly legitimized racism and bigotry in “free societies.” After exploiting colonies for commodity and human resources (slavery), the withdrawal of the colonial power was projected as delivering a fresh start and a relationship of equals. Of course, the exploitation continued in the former colonies and nothing equal about the relationship. More directly though, the disenfranchisement and/or marginalization of the former slaves, indentured servants and new immigrant labor extends into today – certainly neither as oppressive nor perceptible, but still persistent. Self-Determination: Self-determination in most of developing world has come through rebellion. Revolution is still not particularly an appropriate description as new elites have combined and/or substituted for old. “Self-determination” of states and people is a process of the last century – with collapse of Soviet and communist states bringing in the 1990’s the largest block of new UN member states in several decades. Competing Claims Based on Race, Ethnicity, Religion History to Shared Respect: It is easy to argue that many new states need to “realize their freedom” when observing from perspective of continued injustices and arbitrary borders drawn by colonial powers. However, that could unfold into an ever expanding vicious cycle with competing trial, ethnic, religious and national claims to the same land(s). What do minority populations do when their stake to any contiguous territory cannot be sustained, as for example in the case of the Roma? How about the “negro” or African/American? Presumed progressives of the 19th century encouraged sending back the African to Africa – that is how Liberia came about and by the way many of its problems. However, the African-American is as American or more than any – in his/her blood representing the greatest mosaic including Native Americans and having toiled the fields and mines. The Voluntary/Involuntary Migrant: The Arab, African, Turk, Asian in Europe is no less European or at least deserving of being afforded the opportunity to mark their own contribution. If descendants of Europeans mark the land and culture of Africa (for example Afrikaners) and Asia, then why does it not incorporate economic opportunity and social opportunity also in the other direction? The globe is increasingly borderless, and it is neither a battle that can be won by those who assert xenophobia as a national/political goal nor is it a benefit. Too many Caucasian Americans forget that from Texas to California to Colorado, the country was Mexico and most those denigrated as illegal’s are overwhelmingly Native American by genetics. MLK’s “dream” has come true, but not exactly maybe as foreseen – it is dynamic and the struggle is ongoing. As the Holocaust’s legacy also is not just limited in its future meaning to Jews, MLK’s dream reflects global aspirations and an affirmative responsibility toward fellow man/woman. Malcolm X underwent his most substantive transformation when during his Hajj and global travel he recognized his place first among one indivisible human family which progressively affected the development of his views on race and equality in one America. (Photo Above of MLK & Malcolm X) – Read – “The Hajj as Diplomacy” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/the-hajj-as-diplomacy-by-ambassador-mo/40393 I prefer to see MLK as one of first “global citizens” helping shape the standard. Being the architect of change, he remodeled America back to the vision of the Founding Fathers who were before their time and thus hoped to put this country in the forefront and sometime unwilling service of shared global values of tolerance and judging people for their inward rather than superficial appearance. See Film Report – “Where the Heroes/MLK Interview” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/where-the-heroesmlk-interview/24058 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Twitter Follow @MuhamedSacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” 

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