Category Archives: Eric’s Musings

This was NOT his dream…

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is an American icon and the father of the Civil Rights Movement.
His efforts led to the 1963 March On Washington where King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech.

“I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.“

Crass commercialization of Dr. King’s birthday insults what he fought and stood for.

Those of us who understand and appreciate that America has made countless strides, also realize that his dream has yet to be realized.

Shame on Parx Casino for creating what has to be one of the most disrespectfully offensive campaigns and television spots.

American Idol

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“I’ve always thought that each person invented himself… that we are each a figment of our own imagination. And some people have a greater ability to imagine than others.” – David Geffen

If a hero is one admired for his exploits, David Geffen is one of my American Heroes.

With a relentless desire to succeed and laser precise focus, Geffen influenced American popular culture.

His is an American success story.

DVR Alert – American Masters: Inventing David Geffen, premieres nationally on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 on PBS (check local listings).

If you are interested in reading up on David Geffen, I recommend the following books:

The Operator, Tom King, Random House
The Rise and Rise of David Geffen, Stephen Singular, Birch Lane Press
Arts and Letters, Edmund White, Cleiss Press
The Men Who Would Be King, Nicole Laporte, HMH

MLK "Sell-a-bration"

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I had a conversation with a fellow advertiser and we veered into a discussion about the appropriateness of using the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National holiday as a catalyst for a sale or special.
Given the issues of equality that the civil rights icon fought, and ultimately died for, I am of the opinion that it is not only inappropriate, but offensive and crass.
While there is a prevalent belief among some that we now live in a “post-racial” society, nothing could be further from the truth.
In some respect, that is why I am opposed to using Dr. King’s name and or likeness as a convenient means of creating a sales or retail event.
This hasn’t prevented retailers, to varying degrees, like Sears, local car dealers or a surf shop in Laguna Beach from creating MLK “Sell-a-brations.”
This special holiday has also become an opportunity for satire.
Another friend commented when I asked her what she thought, “It has become a retail holiday, especially when big brands like Sears participate in the process.”
That may be true, but does that make it right?

No Guts

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There is a new monthly column in the New York Times called “Scene Stealers.”

The first column started today and featured Larry Flynt.

Pornography and Politics is the headline and that pretty much covers the column’s content.

The thing that caught my attention is the following quote from Flynt –

“I’m a total political junkie,” he said, adding that he thought Michelle Obama, who had spoken the night before our conversation at the Democratic National Convention, “was very, very good.”
But he doesn’t have a good feeling about the election.
“I’m not sure Obama can win,” Mr. Flynt said.
“There is racism at work against him. It’s disgusting, but nobody has the guts to talk about it.”

Let the conversation begin…