I live 3 blocks from the most unknown MLK landmark in America. This plaque sits unseen among overrun grass/empty beer bottles at a traffic intersection. Here is the story of one of a most formative moments in MLK’s early life, his first sit-in, that history forgot.THREAD #MLKDay
In June 1950, 6yrs before the Montgomery bus boycott, a 21y/o MLK went to a bar called Mary’s Place on Rt 73 in NJ with 3 friends. He was a seminary student nearby. They sat at a table, but after being ignored by a server, MLK went to the bar to order beer and 4 glasses. 2/13
The bartender, Ernest Nichols, said it was too late in the night to sell alcohol due to state laws. MLK then ordered 4 ginger ales. “Best thing would be for you to leave,” the bartender told MLK. 3/13
But MLK and friends didn’t move a muscle. They defiantly sat still in their seats refusing to leave. Years later MLK would recall “It was a painful experience because we decided to sit in.” But the situation quickly got worse and dangerous… 4/13
The bartender started yelling then pulled out a .45 caliber handgun, walked outside, and fired it into the air. King and friends were shaken by the experience and reported the bartender to the police. The bartender was later arrested, but the case was eventually dismissed. 5/13
Walter McCall, who was with MLK that night, claimed it was MLK’s "first civil rights struggle,” at this unremarkable intersection in suburban NJ. It is even believed to be MLK’s first documented case of civil rights protest and legal engagement; his name signed in the corner6/13
On the plaque is a quote: “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.” I cannot think of a more apt quote for our time as we face threats to our democracy. 7/13
But to understand its full meaning, it’s important to look at the preceding sentence. “Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But, conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?'” 8/13
Cowardice, expediency, vanity and conscience. MLK’s words sound as if they were written today as hatred tears us apart. To heal our nation, it may not be safe, politic, or popular. Inaction is easy to justify, but meaningful action to actually find solutions takes conscience.9/13
MLK spoke these words at his final Sunday sermon 4 days before his murder. He was 39. I just realized I am 104 days older and am experiencing days he never could. But I’m also humbled by his courage and wisdom that seems beyond what one can attain over many lifetimes. 10/13
MLK’s wisdom wasn’t innate. Experiences like what he had in NJ shaped his thinking and actions. I lived for years intimidated by his moral fortitude, but I realize our celebration of his personage is not to separate him from us but instead to push us to rise to his example. 11/13
I grew up here but never knew this incredible story until recently. This history may well have disappeared and I’m grateful to locals including Patrick Duff who uncovered the details and kept it alive. Reminds us that the fight for civil rights is everywhere and always.12/13
I will spend today cleaning up this historic site of MLK’s first sit-in. The bar building is gone now, but I hope you read and share this story to keep the memory alive. And I hope all of us reflect on the question of conscience in the decisions in our lives — “Is it right?” END
My little boys were such great helpers to clean up the historic site just now. I got to tell them about the story of MLK here. Thanks to whoever put flowers at the historic marker. Let’s take care of our history. Got to go as I promised my boys hot cocoa now!
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When Lincoln was shot he wore a coat embroidered with “One Country, One Destiny.” I’ve turned to those 4 words to help me process this moment. This assassination attempt was one of the worst events I’ve seen in our democracy. It feels like we are a country unmoored…THREAD
I’ve never experienced a time more unpredictable yet with such generational consequence. So what does this particular moment mean? I remembered a passage in a book I read. “Power and violence are opposites; where the one rules absolutely, the other is absent.” 2/10
The deep unease we carry is in part the fact that we witnessed with the shooter one person trying to use the means of violence to impose their will upon a nation of 330 million and subvert the power of people that underlies our very democracy. 3/10
This month is 20 yrs since I started serving the country, first as an intern and now today I’m on the ballot to be the Dem nominee for Senate. I’ve been blessed to serve, working my way up from a desk in the photocopy room. But I always remembered my 1st lesson in service. THREAD
20 yrs ago, arriving at Union Station, I realized I didn’t know anyone else in the entire city of DC. I didn’t come from a political family or had any previous experience in DC except for a family trip or two. I was nervous. I felt out of place. I felt like I didn’t belong. 2/11
Who was I to think I could work in government? I am a son of immigrants, a public school kid. I made my way by metro lugging a big duffel to Foggy Bottom where I had a dorm room in George Washington University for the summer. 3/11
I first met @YaelBromberg, @bmpugach and Flavio Komuves just 5 months ago. While we talked, the gravity of what we were considering hit me. I asked them point blank, what’s our chance of winning a lawsuit against the political machine? Is this a Hail Mary or do we have a shot?🧵
The three of them didn’t flinch. They each took turns telling me why this was real. They embodied confidence yet humility. They were pragmatic and tactical while maintaining the hopefulness and courage one needs to take on NJ politics. 2/6
I explained to them how this would set off a massive firestorm. In some ways I wanted to make sure they were ready for it. But I realized when I talked that the three of them understood exactly what they were doing as they’ve been fighting this fight for years. 3/6
Politics in NJ is facing a real crossroads right now between elite control and power of people. The same leaders who gain political control through the county line on ballots are flexing to ram through a bill gutting OPRA and transparency. These problems are interconnected THREAD
Of all the things to fast track...leaders are spending time and capital reducing transparency. We have affordability, environmental, infrastructure challenges. It's a real prioritization problem to have a politics more interested in preserving/expanding their own control. 2/10
The actions yesterday of reportedly replacing a state Senator on a committee because he planned to vote against the bill shows how broken this process is. It gives the impression that individual lawmakers are irrelevant, and all that matters is what top leaders want. 3/10
The broken politics in New Jersey needs to end once and for all. Today I am filing suit and seeking an injunction to stop the corrupt county line system for this June 4 primary and to abolish it permanently going forward. 49 states use fair ballots; it’s time NJ does too. THREAD
Right now NJ allows a handful of party elites to give their handpicked candidates preferential placement on the ballot. This is a deeply unfair advantage that disenfranchises voters by applying undue influence and suppressing choice of candidates.
Voter disenfranchisement particularly harms candidates and voters of color. We’ve seen leaders from those communities - like NJ State Senators Shirley Turner and Troy Singleton - have the courage to take risk and come out to call for change. I’m grateful for their leadership.
Last week I was proud to be endorsed by College Democrats of NJ, but I found out the terrible backstory that shows how Jersey politics is broken. The college students were pressured and threatened to not endorse me. Good thing they recorded the call. Here’s what happened…THREAD
Prior to the endorsement announcement, someone who works for the state Democratic Party told student leaders that endorsing me could affect their future job prospects and their org’s funding. The student leaders felt threatened and recorded the call. 2/9 nytimes.com/2024/01/14/nyr…
I read the transcript of the call pressuring @NJCollegeDems to not endorse me. This line stood out to me:
“I also think there’s a very clear candidate here who should be representing the state. However, the powers that be do not want that candidate to be representing.”
3/9