Friendship News Network Reporters Reflect on MLK’s Legacy and American Politics

Forty years after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Friendship News Network reporters reflect on the reverend’s legacy and its impact on American politics as a presidential election nears.

"When King made his famous “I Have a Dream” speech no one would have ever thought that we would be this close to having a black president. But now in 2008 we are on the brink of seeing that vision become a reality."

Watch Chantell Leak’s video commentary

"People have always talked about having a black president, but they never thought it could get this close."

Watch Flonora Merritt’s video commentary

"I believe Dr. King never put a color on anyone because we are all human beings. I believe his dream is still alive because today there is a black male candidate and a women running for president."

Watch Brittany McDonald’s video commentary

"Some people believe that the assassin, James Earl Ray killed the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King. I think that because of the assassination the dream was not only fulfilled, but made much stronger."

Read Chanielle Jackson’s commentary

"James Ray tried to kill King’s Dream, but it didn’t work. Now, forty years later, one of the front-runners for president is Barack Obama, a black man."

Read Jarrell Davis’s commentary

"I believe that the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. made his dream stronger because today kids of different races can go to the same school. Also, the followers of Martin Luther King Jr. have made his dream stronger and tried to get rid of racism to bring people together."

Watch Daniel Bullock’s video commentary

"Once you kill a leader, it might bring down others and make them lose hope but when Dr. King was assassinated, everyone still stood with Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream."

Read Imani Strong’s commentary

"I believe that when James Earl Ray assassinated Dr. King, King’s Dream became stronger because it made blacks think that it was time to take a stand and fight for what they wanted… which was exactly what they did. I think that Dr. King’s dream lives on in Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama."

Read Randyn Fullard’s commentary

"These candidates have chosen to make history and show that not just any black person or woman can be a good president, but anyone may have a chance to change the situations that we face economically, politically and socially."

Read Daniel Felix’s commentary

"The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King made the dream better because even though he was dead the dream moved on through the people."

Read Acree Strong’s commentary

"When King died, people started to believe even more in what King did."

Read Telvin Walker’s commentary

"To me Barack Obama would be a good president—not just because he is black but because he wants to make changes in the community."

Read Michael’s commentary

FNN Reporters Comment on the Candidates

FNN reporters comment on the candidates in the 2008 election.

FNN Takes On the Candidates

FNN Takes On the Republican Candidates at the Tavis Smiley All-American Presidential Forum Friendship News Network reporters spoke with Republican presidential candidates Mike Huckabee and Duncan Hunter about the issues that mattered the them and analyzed the debate at the Tavis Smiley All-American Presidential Forum. Read more of FNN's Republican series here.

FNN Comments on FPCS Students Who Fought on the Metro

Tavis Smiley’s Rant Almost Ruins Republican Forum

Nina Graham and Flonora Merritt comment on the Tavis Smiley Republican Presidential Forum.

James Brown: The Most Influential Person of 2007

James Brown

I believe the most influential person of 2007 is James Brown because he is the “Godfather of Soul’’ and is claimed to be one of the hardest working men in show business. Some believe that he is even better than “Mr.Dynamite” and “The Original Disco Man”.

Mr.Brown was not only a singer, but also a better-than-great entertainer. He was known for his amazingly great dance moves that keep people (especially crowds) coming to concerts screaming his name. During his life, crowds loved him and plenty of people attended his funeral. Many believed that even though he died, his accomplishments and love for music will always live on.

James was born on May 3,1933 in Barnwell, South Carolina during the Great Depression. He was raised in Augusta, Georgia, 40 miles away from the state he was born in. As a child he picked cotton, danced and shined shoes for spare change.

December 25, 2006 was a sad day for some because “the Godfather of Soul” died from a heart attack, but others were glad because they knew he was going to a much better place. I believe he made sure people remembered him, his name and great accomplishments. It will be passed from generations to generations. He wanted to be known all over the world and I believe his once-in-a-lifetime dream came true.

The Most Influential Person of 2007: Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is a successful black woman, one of the richest females in the world and also the host of The Oprah Winfrey Show. And she owns her own magazine. This is why I believe she is one of the most influential people of 2007.

About every little kid looks up to her because she is… • Very wealthy • Successful • Nice • Charitable • African American • Sets a great example • Beautiful and strong.

Oprah began her television career at the age of 19. She has the top rated TV talk show. It is an award winning show and it has been the top show for 20 consecutive years.

She is very charitable. Not only has she built a school in Africa, but on every show she gives away gift bags. She also gives food, money and necessary things to needy people and the homeless.

The Most Influential Person of 2007: My Mom

The most influential person in my life is my mom.  My mom’s name is Wanda Boyd.  She has been influential to me throughout my whole life.  She helped me with my homework when I didn’t understand it.  She brought me into this world from dead to alive where there was light.  She taught me right from wrong.  She put clothes on my body and bought food for me to eat.  She has always loved me.  She took me to school in the morning.  She helped me get better when I was sick.  She did my hair when it looked a mess.  She bought me toys when I was bored.  On Christmas she got me everything on my list.  On my birthday she bought me lots of stuff… like a birthday cake, ice cream and party balloons. She even taught me how to spell my name when I was 4 years old. My mom helped me read when I got stuck on a world I thought was difficult.  When I failed, she helped me bring up my grades. She got me an umbrella when on rainy days.  She woke me up every morning when it was time for school.  She bought me a winter coat on cold and freezing days.  These are the reasons why she is the most influential person in my life.   This is why I love my mom.

Thank you mom.

The Most Influential Person of 2007: Jordin Sparks, The American Idol

Jordin Sparks, the 2007 "American Idol winner"

Seventeen-year-old Jordin Sparks achieved the dream of a lifetime by becoming the newest American Idol. Jordin Sparks the girl-next-door from Glendale, Arizona didn’t seem like the type to win American Idol. She’s the daughter of former Dallas Cowboys left cornerback Phillip Sparks. She planned for about a year before she auditioned for American Idol at the age of sixteen.

I picked Jordin Sparks because she’s influential to teens. She achieved a dream and she’s also a great singer. But the main reason I picked her is because she set her mind on something and then achieved that goal. I also like her because she’s the type that never gives up. Jordin Sparks is an achiever and a believer. She’s a fighter and NOT a quitter. She is an American Idol to me.

Darfur: Region of Genocide

The situation in Darfur has gotten out of control. Darfur is in Sudan and Sudan is in Africa. The conflict in Darfur began in February 2003. People have been raped and killed. More than 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million displaced in four years of fighting. This is a horrible genocide affecting the Darfurian people. I think that this is unacceptable. Omar al-Bashir, the president of Darfur, is doing nothing to stop the killing of his people. He is the villain. It hurts me to know that he would do nothing to help the people that he has sworn to protect. He should help save lives. Even though President Bush is not in Darfur he has the power to get the United Nations to send soldiers there. I believe that helping people in Darfur is more important than killing people in Iraq. I also want to say that just because we are young adults, doesn’t mean we can’t do something about the genocide. You can tell every one you know to go to www.savedarfur.com to find out what you can do to help. Help Darfur, please. They need you.

Save Darfur: You Can Help

Things you can do to help the Darfurian people:

• Raise Money by having fundraisers.
• Raise awareness.
• You could write letters to President Bush asking him to help Darfur.

Your Conscience Is Calling…

On Friday December 8th 2006, FNN interviewed Ibrahiem Adam, a refugee from Darfur, Sudan, concerning the way he feels about the genocide and inhumane killing in Darfur. During the interview he talked about his first-hand experience and the political downfalls during the war. He was undisputedly opinionated about what his president should do to help his country. I feel that he is right about everything he said about the inhumane treatment and the brutal killings of innocent people. And why is all of this happening? Because the country is deeply divided. That’s why. The citizens of Darfur (Black Africans) are hated and treated with so much brutality by the Janjaweed (Arabs) that it is sickening. The torturing, the killing, and the separation of families is the Holocaust reborn again in the new century. We need to help the citizens of Darfur who are not lucky enough to afford transportation to get to America or even to feed their young children. This is just like Hotel Rwanda all over again.