I quote William Wordsworth, “Habit rules the unreflecting herd.” Possibly the creator of the words “Freedom Foundation,” “Real Talk,” and “House of God” intended them as a manipulative front and antonyms such as “Oppressive Foundation,” “Fake Talk,” and “House of Deceiver” are more applicable.

Mark Duke was not the first self proclaimed “white savior” of black people. Jim Jones, the charismatic, yet narcissistic leader of the People’s Temple claimed that pedestal during the civil rights movement. Duke was not the first who tooted his horn about his organization’s good works, nor the first to strategically market his organization. Duke was not the first questionable leader to relocate his followers, segregating them from their families and belongings so they could dedicate all their free time towards “the cause,” nor the first narcissist who wanted his picture taken with influential people and politicians. Jones hung out with people of much higher political value than Duke, including Walter Mondale, First Lady Rosalynn Carter, Gov. Jerry Brown and Lt. Gov. Mervyn Dymally. Duke isn’t the first “leader” to get political and support a candidate for mayor. Jones is credited as playing a major role in the election of George Moscone as mayor of San Francisco.

Did someone mention fruits, something they keep harping on? Doesn’t the Boy Scouts do more in a few months than the Freedom Foundation has done in three years? Aren’t there groups in this city that do not toot their own horns, who do far more than they have ever done, while doing it quietly, steadily, with real unity and a true love of Selma?

Duke moved his family to Georgia, purchasing yet another mansion in a rich gated community, but he frequently visits Selma sowing seeds of division, intimidating local churches, businesses and individuals, before retreating back to his “plantation” where he watches his “flock” fighting “his cause” while they live in poverty and communal housing. Talk about freedom. I just can’t believe this “beloved communal” is what Martin Luther King Jr. was talking about. While many of us sit back deciding whether we like the Freedom Foundation or not, they have an organized plan for control. Duke is moving pawns in place, silently seeking and succeeding in placing his group’s leaders/supporters in strategic places of employment and office. Why is he doing that you ask? Let’s ask Duke, who said this during a recorded sermon: “I’m gonna run for mayor. Yeah, that’s what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna run God’s campaign. How are we going to get this town, unless I have the authority to get people… with authority, they have to come together … I’m running because He told me to run… If I don’t do what God tells me to do, I’m not gonna have eternal life.”

Reading that I see his distorted vision of an oppressive socialized dictatorship for Selma and although he failed trying the front door, like “J,” he’s going for the back door.

Dewayne Allday

Selma