Recently I was skimming through some articles looking for something interesting enough to read when I came across the title, “Siblings’ fight over MLK estate set for trial” (CNN). Although I wasn’t sure what it was about, I had just enough curiosity to continue. As I did, I was totally surprised by what I read. Apparently, MLK is Martin Luther King Jr., and the siblings fighting over the estate are his children. Imagine my surprise!
Apparently, his three surviving adult children, Bernice King, Martin Luther King III, and Dexter King are having family squabbles about money. Bernice, and Martin Luther King III are suing their brother Dexter for misusing the family estate money. In- turn, Dexter is counter-suing his sister Bernice for some personal letters that belonged to their now deceased mother, Corretta Scott King. These letters, written by Dr. King to his wife, allegedly were supposed to be part of a $1.4 million book deal that fell through.
As if all this wasn’t bad enough, I discovered that there was a discrepancy with the King family over the Nobel Peace Prize that Dr. King won. How in heavens name can you fight over a Nobel Peace Prize? Isn’t that a bit of a contradiction?
Although the amount of money, and some of the things they are fighting over might be a little different than the typical family, I’ve seen something like this before. Too often good and decent families, regardless of how strong, loving, and caring we think they are, fall into deep pits of anger, jealousy, resentment, and/or disappointment when parents pass on and there’s an inheritance to be dealt with.
However, I must have had in my head that there were some families that would be immune from such things. That’s why I was so shocked to hear about it. I guess the old saying is true, “It can happen to the best of us.”
Martin Luther King Jr. has always been one of my favorite American heroes. I suppose that’s why I felt so bad about what’s happening to their family. I remember learning about how he fought for the human rights of all people, and how he was assassinated for doing so. However, the thing I loved about him the most was the character he showed when the world around him was in such a chaotic, hateful, state of mind, directed often at him personally. He was still able to live his life with the conviction of non-violence, while teaching others to do the same.
So, for me it’s another sad day in American history. I hope the King family can find their way through this difficult time and come out the other side without too much damage. I’d also like to extend my sympathies to anyone else who’s family is fighting over an inheritance. Just keep this in mind, when it comes to money and earthly treasures, you still can’t take it with you when you go.
Janet Ramsey
