[Ambassador] Yes, every community celebrates MLK in different ways. Often there are lectures, history classes. Because he was a pastor, often churches will organize activities.

[Kanat_u42] Where is now M.L. King's family?

[Ambassador] Mrs. Coretta King died in 2006. She was very active in the civil rights movement too and worked hard to establish a center in Atlanta commemorating MLK.

[Kanat_u42] Are there racism ideas in the USA now?

[Ambassador] While we have made huge strides since the 1960's, sadly, racism and the consequences of past discrimination continue to exist in the U.S. Each of us, by word and deed, needs to continue to uphold MLK's principles.

[Teach_Grp] What do you think, is it possible to use teachings of Dr. King in Kyrgyzstan?

[Ambassador] Yes, I believe that the nonviolent activism that MLK advocated is an example for all of us in every country of the world. One person can make a difference and it is important for us to make a difference.

[kan-vika] Martin Luther King was strongly committed to the concept of nonviolence. He used to say that man should win violence and oppression without any violence and oppression.

[kan-vika] How effective does this idea work in American politics?

[Ambassador] MLK was a student of Mahatma Gandhi, who, through nonviolent means, ended 100 years of British rule in India. MLK used the same tactics and was responsible for bringing the Civil Rights Movement to national prominence and ending segregation.

America today, activists continue to use these methods to bring about change. We see this in the environmental movement and other areas.

[Kanat_u42] What has happened with people who killed the MLK?

[Ambassador] He was tried and convicted and sent to jail.

[kan-flyura] Why was ex-President Reagan not supportive of celebration of M.L. King’s Day, calling him a communist?

[Ambassador] I am unaware of Pres. Reagan's view on MLK. MLK, because of the strong stance he took on issues, was a controversial figure. He challenged a nation to live up to its ideals; this is never comfortable, in any country. He criticized the war in Vietnam very early on.

[kan-yana] Protesting against racism, Dr. King got a strong support from religious leaders all confection s: Catholics, Protestants, Judaists and Muslim. What religion did he practice or did he have his own ideas about this issue?

Chat participants in Kant American Corner

[Ambassador] He was a Baptist pastor and founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to harness the moral authority and organizing power of black churches to conduct non-violent protests. So, religion was the foundation of his life and movement.  He is also considered a saint among several Protestant churches, including Episcopalians and Lutherans.

[Manas] Why was he awarded title ‘The man of the Year in 1963’?

[Ambassador] I don't know about the Man of the Year Award, but in 1964, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, where he made his famous statement, "We shall overcome."

[Bish_Jenia] Hello, my name is Jeengul, I’m Coordinator of the Communication Center.
When you say, that every people can be different. Do you realize you personal vision?

[Ambassador] As I represent the U.S. in Kyrgyzstan, every day I try to make a difference in how people perceive the U.S. We all try to help Kyrgyzstan develop so that it will have a vibrant market economy and a political environment that respects the rule of law.

[Bis_Ainura] What is your opinion about if there weren’t M.L.King and his ideas, who could replace him in history?

[Ambassador] It's always hard to second-guess how history would have developed if MLK had not existed. I like to think that there would have been others who would have stepped up to carry the Civil Rights banner.

[Bis_Zarina] What are the goals of activities in Martin Luther King Center nowadays? Does it cover on origin background discrimination issues?

[Ambassador] I was there about 15 years ago, and there are galleries explaining the Civil Rights movement and MLK's life. There is also a large emphasis on teaching children. MLK's son, Dexter King, is the Center's president.

[Bish_Bolot] Good day, Ms Yovanovitch, my name is Bolot. I’m student of KRSU. Martin Luther King has written: “I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply routed in the American dream”. For him American dream was bond with the future of racial harmony in the US. What do you mean by saying ”American dream”?

[Ambassador] I believe that America is a country where everyone can live in equality, with dignity and respect. I am an immigrant to the U.S., and yet, I have been honored to be named an ambassador; this would not be possible in most countries.

[Kanat_u42] Karakol: is it possible now for black people in America to be a president of the USA?

[Ambassador] Yes, in fact, right now, Barack Obama is seeking the Democratic nomination for President.

[SolomoN] Dear Msr. Ambassador. We all know well that Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream. A part of his dream was that disadvantaged Americans (including Afro-Americans and others) should be compensated for historical wrongs.
He believed that granting black Americans only equality would not be sufficient to bridge the economic gap between them and whites.
King said he did not seek full restitution of wages lost to slavery, which he believed impossible, but proposed a government compensatory program of USD 50 billion over ten years to all disadvantaged groups.
Has any fiscal program of that kind been implemented by the US Government so far? Do the Republicans have any program in place?

[Ambassador] As far as I know, there is no serious discussion of compensation in Washington at this point.

[Bi_Salamat] The position of America concerning the Iraq company does not contradict and ideas of MKL?

[Ambassador] The coalition in Iraq is working with the Iraqis to build a vibrant economy and a political system where everyone can participate. I think this is in keeping with MLK's vision.

[Manas] Can we say that Martin was Leader of Black Afro-Americans of that Period?

[Ambassador] MLK was certainly one of the most prominent leaders of his time, but others are: Roy Wilkins (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), Whitney Young (Urban League), John Lewis (SNCC), James Farmer (Congress of Racial Equality), and A. Philip Randolph.

[Bal_Sergey] Where did Martin Luther King, Jr. deliver his “I have a dream” speech

[Ambassador] MLK delivered that speech in 1963 when 200,000 people marched to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

[Bish_Bolot] Ms. Yovanovitch, you have mentioned that you are the immigrant. Did you have any racial conflicts in your life because of your background?

[Ambassador] You asked about my experiences. I was not discriminated against because I was an immigrant, but I was discriminated against because I am a woman. In my first year of University, the University had only recently accepted women, and my history professor did not want me in his class.

[Ambassador] It was only when I wrote the best mid-term exam that he allowed me to participate in class. This taught me that you cannot accept other people's judgment about yourself and you need to insist on being treated equally and with dignity and respect.

[Ambassador] Thank you to all of you for participating in this webchat!
This is the first webchat I've done in Kyrgyzstan, and your participation has made it a success!

[Elgiza] Dear Ambassador, thank you for giving our audience a chance to get to know more about Martin Luther King, his contribution.