Martin Luther King Jr. wrote several books, delivered hundreds of speeches and sermons, and produced a massive quantity of documents and correspondence. The King Papers, a collection of King's writings and published by the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University, spans 14 volumes, each about 750 pages.
Thank you for this piece. Any discussion of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy is incomplete without an understanding of the context of his words and an appreciation for how his work sought to tackle racial and economic injustice as intertwined, inherent flaws in our society.
Thank you for correcting the misperception of MLK Day, and explaining Reagan’s co-opting of the legacy. I grew up in Atlanta and heard King speak to the SCLC in 1964 at the first integrated meeting at The Marriott. It may be a bitter pill for some people to learn that LBJ did the footwork on the Civil Rights Act, and has a legacy beyond escalation of the war in Viet Nam. I am sorry to see the corruption of headlines in the mainstream press when so many fine journalists helped us win the 1964 civil rights battle and uncovered the truth of the horrors of that war. King’s writings deserve much more serious study than they have yet received.
Martin Luther King spoke truth about racism. He was not afraid to speak out. We sure need him today. Thankfully we have his words.
Reagan was an actor. He was a parody of a man.
Trump and his ilk are racists, and liberty for them means only for certain people. Racial and economic inequality underlie their version of “The American Dream”.
Good to read in this column more about what Dr. King said. Thanks for reminding us what Dr. King stood for.
Ooops, I wasn’t finished. They’re obnoxious and self-righteous people with very poor critical thinking skills. I think most of them actually believe the crap they’re putting out there. It makes me so angry that probably most republicans believe them!
I sincerely appreciate that you took the time to address the dishonor that has been perpetuated on Dr. King's legacy. It is a true representation of the gullibility of our society that individuals who so clearly work against any realization of the equality that King envisioned will use his own words to justify their positions. While it is a testament to the power and timelessness of his words, you have illustrated the threat that poses in the larger picture. It is a human fault that we are so selective in our discernments of value and meaning that we often miss the point - and the giant red flag - entirely. As I read each of your pointed examples, it occurred to me how nice it would be if the MLK Foundation could somehow publicly reject the inappropriate use of Dr. King's words, much like musicians who deny politicians use of their songs. As I've said before, you can't do it alone, Judd ~ but I appreciate your effort!
Thank you for this piece. Any discussion of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy is incomplete without an understanding of the context of his words and an appreciation for how his work sought to tackle racial and economic injustice as intertwined, inherent flaws in our society.
Thank you for correcting the misperception of MLK Day, and explaining Reagan’s co-opting of the legacy. I grew up in Atlanta and heard King speak to the SCLC in 1964 at the first integrated meeting at The Marriott. It may be a bitter pill for some people to learn that LBJ did the footwork on the Civil Rights Act, and has a legacy beyond escalation of the war in Viet Nam. I am sorry to see the corruption of headlines in the mainstream press when so many fine journalists helped us win the 1964 civil rights battle and uncovered the truth of the horrors of that war. King’s writings deserve much more serious study than they have yet received.
Martin Luther King spoke truth about racism. He was not afraid to speak out. We sure need him today. Thankfully we have his words.
Reagan was an actor. He was a parody of a man.
Trump and his ilk are racists, and liberty for them means only for certain people. Racial and economic inequality underlie their version of “The American Dream”.
Good to read in this column more about what Dr. King said. Thanks for reminding us what Dr. King stood for.
Thoughtful and important. Thanks. Your work gets better and better over time.
You rocked it today Judd. I wondered how we could reach every one of the Republican saboteurs. You did it. You did it.
This is a wonderful piece that reveals more than I'd known, Judd, and I've been working hard to get myself up to speed. Thank you!
Ooops, I wasn’t finished. They’re obnoxious and self-righteous people with very poor critical thinking skills. I think most of them actually believe the crap they’re putting out there. It makes me so angry that probably most republicans believe them!
Aw dang. Missed the conference! Now I’ll never know what “American liberty” is 😖
I sincerely appreciate that you took the time to address the dishonor that has been perpetuated on Dr. King's legacy. It is a true representation of the gullibility of our society that individuals who so clearly work against any realization of the equality that King envisioned will use his own words to justify their positions. While it is a testament to the power and timelessness of his words, you have illustrated the threat that poses in the larger picture. It is a human fault that we are so selective in our discernments of value and meaning that we often miss the point - and the giant red flag - entirely. As I read each of your pointed examples, it occurred to me how nice it would be if the MLK Foundation could somehow publicly reject the inappropriate use of Dr. King's words, much like musicians who deny politicians use of their songs. As I've said before, you can't do it alone, Judd ~ but I appreciate your effort!
Thanks, Judd, for bringing to us this infuriating discussion all in one column. These right-wingers are self-righteous
Thank you Judd for keeping the faith, and setting the record straight. Keep on keeping on!
Thank you for setting the record straight on this MLK Day, Judd.