Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) could be regarded as both the most well-known, but also unknown, major African American historical figure. Although he was detested by mainstream white America during his lifetime, he would eventually become one of the most inspirational personalities in American history. Indeed, his memorial on the Washington D.C. Mall is testimony to his standing; along with a national holiday in his honor. That stated, how well is he really known outside the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, that created a mythological figure over the authentic man? Since his assassination at the age of 39 years in April 1968, it has become difficult to know the “real King” because the mainstream has sanitized his progressiveness, and turned him into a cardboard cut-out. He is largely now perceived as a man of “peaceful protest” and “forgiveness to the oppressor” but this is a rather selective view of his persona. Indeed he was a man who challenged the capitalist society to redirect its resources to the urban and rural poor. He demanded social justice under the auspices of Christian principles; speaking to the so-called principles of the American Republic, and taking an anti-colonial and anti-imperial perspective. He was a very practical man, knowing that to use violence would have only led to the death of thousands of African Americans and progressive whites. Of interest to any student, scholar and researcher in African-American Studies, Sociology, Social History, Political Science and Communication Studies, this book carefully considers Dr. King’s education, influences, life, and philosophy; and his legacy in today’s society, where deep divisions remain.