Today's MOZEN: A King Trumps A Donald

On this, the day we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, I began to think: how could a country that produced the likes of Dr. King also give us Donald Trump?

Well, it is perfectly reasonable and logical. Because America is so immense, so far reaching in its gifts, there is room for both. In fact, there is NEED for both.

America is vast - From Sea to Shinning Sea. She is the richest, most powerful nation on the planet. We have the largest economy, the biggest army, and the greatest ideals. America has mountains, oceans, deserts, plains, forests, great cities and small towns. We also have troublesome issues like racism, bigotry, poverty, violence and injustice. We seem to love our guns as much as our children. America can be as seedy and greedy as it is generous and compassionate. We open our arms to some while we castigate others. In a sense, this is the definition of America herself. In many ways we are all things to all people.

So, we are bound to produce individuals who characterize the full range of the American persona. Dr. King is the very definition of strength of character. He showed us through persistence, tenacity, courage and compassion that we can, indeed, change the world. And, he accomplished this through the principals of non-violence. He represents the best of what America can offer - to itself and the world.

On the other hand, Donald Trump also represents another aspect of the American ideal: rich,

pampered, impatient, arrogant, and brash. Mr. Trump was born to privilege and abhors those who were not. Mr. Trump equates money with success while eschewing the principals that Dr. King lived by. While Dr. King's words, like a beautiful symphony, inspire us to reach the for the highest ideals of human nature. Mr. Trump's vernacular, on the other hand, is like a clashing symbol - sure, it gets attention but is it really MUSIC?

Still, Mr. Trump DOES represent America - or, at least a good part of it. The support he has garnered from millions of Americans in his bid for the GOP nomination for President is evidence of this. No matter how low his rhetoric seems to go, his followers find resonance in it. Obviously, he taps into peoples' anger and dissatisfaction. And, here-in lies the key difference between Dr. King and Mr. Trump: while Dr. King affected change by appealing to the better angels of our nature, Mr. Trump goes for the lowest common denominator, using fear and loathing as the catalyst.

Let's use this day to reject the Trump version of America and renew our commitment to the legacy of Dr. King: equality, justice, freedom - for ALL.