Elder Bernice King Addresses Guns in Schools and Gun Laws Ahead of MLK Day

On Tuesday, January 15th, the actual day of what would be Dr. Martin Luther King's 84th birthday, Cascade Patch visited the King Center to speak with its CEO and Dr. King's daughter, Elder Bernice A. King.

In this portion of a larger interview, which dealt mostly with the upcoming MLK Day celebrations in Atlanta, Bernice King took time to share her thoughts on the current gun debate happening across the country.

Elder King said she, "felt embarrassed," that in America young children can be shot and killed at a school.  She said that somehow, we as citizens need to, "find a way to discipline our emotions."

It is exactly her Father's movement that Elder Bernice King believes this country needs to help solve this issue.  "We were blessed to have Dr. King as a leader in our nation encouraging us to embrace it.  We need a non-violent society," said Bernice King.

Elder King, who was recently appointed to be the new CEO of The King Center, did not go into details about whether she agrees or disagrees with assault rifle bans or any gun bans.  The approach that she is taking and the approach that she believes Dr. King would be taking is what she calls a "holistic approach."

The King's want to change the American psyche towards guns and violence.  She believes that if America wants to be a non-violent society, then people need to stop glorifying violence on TV, in music, in movies, on our streets, and in our homes. Just like Dr. King's dream of an equal and fair nation that was eventually adopted by the youth of the nation, Bernice believes that if we start preaching non-violence and showcasing non-violence then that too can be adopted by the nation's people.

In this "holistic" approach by the Elder Bernice King, a gun law is welcomed but not mandatory.  What is mandatory, to Bernice King, is changing peoples minds and actions toward violence and conflict resolution.  If the nation's attitude towards these 2 issues change, then she sees that a real change will come to the streets of America.

Elder Bernice A. King continues to be steadfast through her work in her church and through her work at The King Center, to educate and promote the themes of her Father's non-violent movement. 

Martin Luther King Day events culminate on the morning of January 21st at 8a.m. in Ebenezer Baptist Church.  The services were moved to 8 a.m. so that attendees can stay afterwards and hold an Inauguration Watch Party to see President Barack Obama be sworn in for a second term.

Please Leave a Comment.  What Do You Believe Should Happen to Guns in America? Also make sure to sign-up for our Newsletter.