Understanding the True Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
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America has shortchanged Black citizens, issuing a promise that has bounced back as insufficient funds. Yet, we remain hopeful that the justice system is not bankrupt” — Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 (Sturino & Masemann, 2018).
While many Americans hold a high regard for Martin Luther King Jr., their understanding of him is often misleading. In his time, many white citizens viewed him as a radical. Despite this mischaracterization, contemporary educators and commentators often attempt to portray King as someone who prioritized peace over justice, a dangerous misconception. By sanitizing history, schools foster a passive populace that is disinclined to challenge the systemic oppression faced by Black individuals. They have hastily declared his dream as a reality, blurring the line between truth and illusion.
King was a fierce advocate for justice and equality, mobilizing a movement through peaceful protests and sit-ins. Conservatives selectively highlight parts of his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech, thereby distorting the essence of his mission. The vision he articulated was aspirational, meant to inspire Americans to realize this dream. He never claimed that it had already come to fruition, and any narrative suggesting otherwise is both disrespectful and false.
“1963 is not an end, but a beginning... Those who think that the Negro will simply blow off steam and be satisfied will face a rude awakening if the nation continues as usual. [applause] There will be no peace or calm in America until Black citizens are granted their full rights. The storms of protest will continue until justice prevails” (King, 1963).
Historians often sanitize King’s messages by focusing solely on his more palatable remarks. However, he warned that any return to normalcy without addressing racial disparities would not be acceptable. His support for advocacy was unwavering; he would not instruct Black Lives Matter activists to halt their protests, as he dedicated his life to fighting against the very injustices they confront.
“We can never be satisfied while Black individuals are subjected to the unspeakable horrors of police brutality” (King, 1963).
His assertion highlighted that 1963 marked the start of a movement rather than its conclusion. The notion that King championed a colorblind ideology is fundamentally flawed. His dream encompassed a vision of unity among Black and white children, emphasizing his hope for a just society.
Many white individuals mistakenly assume that desegregation healed the nation’s racial wounds. Yet, America has never confronted the historical injustices of slavery, Jim Crow laws, mass incarceration, and systemic racism. Ironically, those who believe the relationship has healed are often those who have perpetuated the harm.
The ongoing struggle is fundamentally about attaining justice and equality. While the ideal is for race not to matter, King envisioned his dream as a catalyst for the necessary changes in the country.
“Since the establishment of MLK Day, there has been a crass commercialization of King’s image and a dilution of his radical message” (Rashad Grove, 2020).
The frequent diminishment of his words perpetuates a false narrative of American exceptionalism. White individuals have transformed his dream into a nightmare for Black Americans. Our heroes often face silencing, assassination, or distortion. This trend serves a singular purpose: to invalidate and mute Black suffering.
The government and white leaders have long capitalized on a deceptive narrative. When we fail to resist, we inadvertently accept the injustices we endure. King opposed this complacency. The systemic resistance to reforms aimed at rectifying inequality threatens the American ideal.
“There was a concerted effort by the federal government to undermine the civil rights movement and disrupt any attempts to organize for Black civil rights” (Sturino & Masemann, 2018).
Since King’s assassination in 1968, many white individuals have dishonored his legacy. They wish for Black people to prioritize peace over truth, equality, and justice. Contemporary activists must reject this hollow pacifism that disrespects the sacrifices of those who preceded them.
White discomfort arises when racial issues surface in media or their communities. Many seek to distance themselves from the suffering faced by Black people. As the saying goes, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Good intentions are insufficient for achieving justice; diligent action is necessary. White discomfort will not deter civil rights advocates from clearing the smoke to reveal a path forward.
Colorblind Ideology is a Distortion
Limiting MLK Day to generic volunteerism misrepresents King’s profound message. This allows the holiday to be appropriated by those who favor colorblindness, such as the Wall Street Journal, which once labeled King a “colorblind radical,” rather than promoting the racial justice he championed (Rashad Grove, 2020).
King did not endorse a colorblind ideology. He consistently addressed the harsh realities faced by Black individuals compared to their white counterparts, never suggesting that race should be disregarded in American society.
King envisioned a future where his “four little children would live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” (King, 1963).
In every aspect of contemporary American society, Black individuals continue to face systemic racism. The implication that King’s words support a colorblind ideology is absurd. Aspiring to create a society where race does not affect Black children is commendable, but pretending we already live in that reality is dismissive.
Conservatives often utilize MLK Day to issue performative gestures of support while failing to implement the policies he advocated for throughout his life. Some even exploit his message while simultaneously endorsing measures detrimental to Black people and other marginalized communities.
For instance, President Donald Trump tweeted about equality on MLK Day as a publicity stunt, despite a record that includes dismantling significant portions of the Voting Rights Act and promoting policies that harm marginalized groups, actions that contradict King’s egalitarian principles (Rashad Grove, 2020).
Approaches to racial justice reform differ based on perspectives on equality. While most agree on equal worth, many resist addressing inequities, believing that doing so would grant preferential treatment to certain groups. This misconception, which equates inherent equality with equal opportunities, leads many white individuals to oppose efforts to close the racial wealth gap. They contend that equal opportunity has already been established. Colorblind ideology is dangerous because it ignores systemic inequality. For example, if a woman complains about unequal pay, a gender-blind perspective would argue that she simply failed to take advantage of equal opportunities.
The distortion of King’s message is troubling; equating his pursuit of equality with a colorblind approach undermines his mission. Regardless of individual achievements, no one desires their life’s work to be disrespected. King is an American hero, honored with a national holiday, which is significant, especially for a Black man who was labeled radical during his lifetime. To honor MLK, Americans must embrace the entirety of his message, which is why he deserves recognition in the first place.
He Fought Against Police Brutality
When white individuals claim that equality already exists, they must be looking at their own reflections. A review of American history reveals the systematic oppression faced by Black individuals at the hands of law enforcement. No matter where you look in history, the outcome remains the same.
“The police violence in Birmingham was the catalyst for this revolution, prompting millions — Black and white, North and South — to feel the sting of segregation and join the protest movement,” TIME reported (Waxman, 2020).
Police brutality leaves devastation in its wake. As a result, Black individuals grieve and experience the emotional toll of oppression. The tears and anguish they typically conceal surface during moments of protest. When Black people march, white individuals often feel threatened, not because they fear harm, but because they project their own cruelty onto others. It is racist to assume that Black individuals seek to inflict harm on white people after enduring their own injustices. Most Black individuals believe in the potential of America.
Unfortunately, mourning is often met with media accusations of chaos. The desire for justice should not be seen as disruptive. Why are we not deemed worthy of seeking justice in America?
In “I Have a Dream,” King emphasized the urgency of action, warning against the “tranquilizing drug of gradualism” (Trent, 2020).
King rejected the incrementalism favored by modern neoliberalism. He understood that Black Americans required substantial structural change to heal from centuries of oppression. The dismantling of The Voting Rights Act under the Trump administration exemplifies how easily progress can be reversed. King’s advocacy for structural change was driven by the volatility of American progress. Similarly, today’s Black Lives Matter advocates are calling for transformative changes in law enforcement, housing, education, and healthcare. Advocates are the force that steers the arc of the moral universe toward justice. Change will only come through persistent and active engagement.
The misrepresentation of King’s ideology has created a divide between liberal advocates who push for significant structural reforms and moderates who prefer incremental methods. Moderates often claim to follow the principles of past Civil Rights Leaders while dismissing the radical aspects of their messages. They opt for an easy peace over active resistance, often perpetuating existing inequities.
The Distortion of MLK’s Message
Part of King’s consensus-building portrayal involves avoiding key elements of his message, as noted by Johns Hopkins University professor Connolly (Sturino & Masemann, 2018).
King is frequently depicted as a consensus builder. Many conservatives and moderates challenge liberals by asking, “Why can’t you emulate MLK? He wouldn’t support this approach.” The reality is that Martin Luther King Jr. was a radical. He consistently prioritized the righteousness of Black justice over the comfort of white individuals.
“We must recognize that, as affirmed by federal courts, it is wrong to urge someone to cease their pursuit of basic constitutional rights simply because it may lead to conflict” (MLK in Birmingham Jail, 1963).
If law enforcement responds violently to peaceful protests, this aligns with King’s principles. Ultimately, achieving constitutional rights, such as equal protection under the law, outweighs any conflict that may arise from pursuing justice. Historians and commentators have deliberately stripped nuance from his message.
Training Advocates to Endure Micro-aggressions
“We initiated workshops on nonviolence, repeatedly asking ourselves: ‘Are you able to accept blows without retaliating? Can you endure the ordeal of imprisonment?’” (MLK in Birmingham Jail, 1963).
King advocated for a nonviolent approach because he believed in humanity's inherent goodness. By demonstrating peace amid brutality, he sought to highlight the moral contrast between segregationists and Black individuals, hoping that many would side with the oppressed.
“I have earnestly opposed violent tension, but I recognize that constructive, nonviolent tension is essential for growth” (MLK in Birmingham Jail, 1963).
He trained advocates to withstand micro-aggressions, preparing them to endure insults, physical assaults, and public humiliation without retaliating. The objective was to cultivate advocates who would not respond to white brutality, risking their safety to highlight the stark contrast between a morally driven movement and the cruelty of white supremacy. King endorsed the defiance of unjust laws, facing arrest 29 times. Despite the stigma surrounding criminal records, he transcended that label, unbound by the unjust laws enforced by segregationists.
A Radical Transformation of Values
King believed that for America to truly overcome racism, poverty, and militarism, the nation needed a radical transformation of values (Newsome, Sturino & Masemann, 2018).
Many Americans remain in denial about the core issues of racism. It is easier for them to condemn extremist groups like the Klan and Proud Boys than to address the systemic nature of white supremacy. Individual prejudice is merely a symptom of a broader oppressive framework. Reform is necessary, and obscuring King’s message serves to impede progress. He believed that by confronting inequality, America could alter its value system.
Looking Ahead
King’s nonviolent resistance did not equate to abandoning self-defense or fully embracing pacifism. He firmly asserted that his nonviolence was not synonymous with passivity, but rather a militant commitment to change. Modern activists may choose different tactics, yet they can embody the spirit of nonviolent civil disobedience (Mathis, 2018).
King could have opted for silence, preserving the peace while Black Americans endured suffering. Instead, he chose to advocate for justice, risking his life and safety in the process. It is time to clarify the legacy of this Civil Rights leader — he was not a pacifist.
When individuals attempt to portray him as a colorblind advocate, they tarnish his legacy. Black individuals have every right to protest the injustices they face within this system. We must stop allowing misleading narratives to distract from his true message — racial equality. Once the haze dissipates, it becomes evident that King prioritized the struggle for equality over the pursuit of fleeting peace.
Author’s Note: Modern advocates may not follow King’s approach of enduring micro-aggressions, but the essence of the movement is reflected in nonviolent civil disobedience.
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References:
King, M. L., Jr. (1963, August 28). “I Have a Dream,” Address Delivered at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Retrieved October 10, 2020, from https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/i-have-dream-address-delivered-march-washington-jobs-and-freedom
King, M. L., Jr. (1963). Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]. Retrieved August 04, 2020, from https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html
Mathis, D. (2018, April 03). King’s Message of Nonviolence Has Been Distorted. Retrieved October 03, 2020, from https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/04/kings-message-of-nonviolence-has-been-distorted/557021/
Rashad Grove, F. (2020, January 19). MLK Day of Service fails the man it’s meant to honor: Opinion. Retrieved October 09, 2020, from https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/mlk-day-of-service-philadelphia-politics-activism-20200119.html
Sturino, I., & Masemann, A. (2018, April 05). Much of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy distorted in modern times, says historian | CBC Radio. Retrieved October 09, 2020, from https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-april-4-2018-1.4603321/much-of-martin-luther-king-jr-s-legacy-distorted-in-modern-times-says-historian-1.4603344
Trent, S. (2020, August 28). Police brutality, voting rights, racial justice: Echoes from 1963’s March on Washington. Retrieved October 11, 2020, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/08/28/1963-march-on-washington-police-brutality-voting-rights/
Waxman, O. (2020, August 27). March on Washington: What MLK Said About Police Brutality. Retrieved October 11, 2020, from https://time.com/5882308/march-on-washington-police-brutality/