Martin Luther King

MLK: Christian, Radical

by Jonathan Eig

Veneration has hollowed out Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy, and obscured the way that his political leadership always aimed at radical transformation of American society, argues the author of an acclaimed new biography. 

Alex Haley Fabricated Quotes Portraying MLK as Implacable Critic of Malcolm X, Biographer Finds

by Gillian Brockell

Jonathan Eig tracked down a secretary's transcript of writer Alex Haley's interview with Martin Luther King and found that Haley seriously misrepresented King's response to Malcolm's militant approach to the Black freedom struggle, contributing to longstanding misunderstanding of King's views and relationship to other political factions. 

Maine Radio Station Apologies for Distorted Edit of King Speech

The paper had for years run an abridged version of 1963 speech to the March on Washington—which excluded King's discussions of systemic racism and race-targeted remedies for discrimination—but faced intense criticism this year from readers concerned with the politicization of history. 

You Can't Understand MLK's Politics Without Understanding His Critique of Capitalism

Adam Tooze discusses King's longstanding efforts to link racial discrimination and economic exploitation, as well as the working-class base of the civil rights movement. 

The Radical MLK and a Usable Past

by Robert Greene II

"Above all, King’s “usable past” was part of a long tradition of Black Americans claiming a place for themselves in the larger tapestry of American history and memory."

Honoring Dr. King's Other, More Challenging Dream, 55 Years Later

King's famous Riverside Church speech on April 4, 1967 marked the leader's decisive opposition to the war in Vietnam and reflected his moral clarity and willingness to take unpopular positions in the pursuit of justice by calling out racism, capitalism and militarism as three intertwined evils. 

Nikole Hannah-Jones Angered a Crowd with an MLK Day Speech. The Words Were MLK's

“If you haven’t read, in entirety, his speeches, you’ve been miseducated and I hope that you will,” Hannah-Jones said on Twitter.

“The Greatest Purveyor of Violence in the World”

by Liz Theoharis

Martin Luther King's 1967 Riverside Church address pointed out that the cause nonviolent civil rights struggle required him to challenge the US government to end militarism. Today, the pandemic shows that an ethos of nonviolence must include an active approach to end suffering through global cooperation. 

King’s Final Book: Both Political Roadmap and Passionate Sermon

by Fred Zilian

As Black History Month unfolds amid an atmosphere of crisis and division like that which prevailed in 1968, it's worth revisiting Martin Luther King's publication that year of "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community" – a call for reordering national priorities toward justice through politics and for renewed spiritual and ethical dedication to shared humanity.

Beyond Donald Trump: When Poisons Curdle

by Andrew Bacevich

The writer regrets not absorbing the message of MLK's prophetic "Beyond Vietnam" sermon when it was delivered in 1967. But the years since have shown he wasn't alone, and the nation's failure to reflect on the interconnection of racism, materialism and militarism accounts for the dire state of affairs reflected in the January 6 attack on the Capitol. 

Before ‘I Have a Dream,’ Martin Luther King Almost Died. This Man Saved Him

Al Howard, a Black NYPD officer, was able to save Dr. King from a stabbing in a New York department store in 1958, potentially changing the course of history.

MLK’s Prescription For Protests: Nonviolent, But Also Unceasing And Disruptive

by Jason Sokol

By recalling King’s words, we might articulate a position that builds on his own — a position that, most importantly, demands structural changes in our society to end police violence, yet readily recognizes the self-defeating nature of looting and destruction.

The MLK Graphic Novel That Inspired Generations of Civil Rights Activists

The comic book that helped spark a generation of young civil rights protestors did not feature superheroes, but a 42-year-old seamstress and a 26-year-old Baptist pastor.

Video of the Week: Historian Mary Frances Berry on Martin Luther King and the Power of Protest

Historian Mary Frances Berry discusses misconceptions about Martin Luther King, Jr., the essential role of protests in politics and her book "History Teaches Us to Resist."

Four Speeches by Dr. King That Can Still Guide Us Today

by Alan Singer

Martin Luther King, Jr. challenged the war in Vietnam, U.S. imperialism, and laws that victimized working people and the poor, not just racial discrimination.

We need to face the whole truth about Martin Luther King, Jr.

by Jonathon Zimmerman

The reactions to this latest episode smack of a different kind of conspiracy, which historians should both recognize and resist: the conspiracy of silence.

A Black Feminist’s Response to Attacks on Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy

by Barbara Ransby

We should not become historical peeping Toms by trafficking in what amounts to rumor and innuendo.

How to Make Sense of the Shocking New MLK Documents

by David Greenberg

A new trove of FBI records has become yet another political weapon in our hyper-partisan age. That doesn’t mean we should ignore it.

MLK's prescription for healing hate was embracing 'agape'

by Eli Merritt

King spoke about the Greek concept of agape, or brotherly love and compassion, a social concept he defined as “understanding, creative, redemptive good will for all men.”

Vernon Johns: An Often Forgotten Controversial Civil Rights Activist

by M. Andrew Holowchak

Johns was a critical figure in the push for racial equality, chiefly because he was not merely a pusher, but also a shover.