The violence that followed MLK Jr around was almost entirely perpetrated by local and state authorities wearing badges or empowered by local and state politicians. The point of Gandhi style protests is to peacefully assemble, refuse to disperse when required, and then let the cameras record the violent and brutish overreaction of the police, thus shifting the narrative to the immoral nature of the state apparatus.
Branding MLK Jr as a violent extremist is a stupid rewriting of history that condemns him for the wrong reason while apologizing for the brutal bigotry displayed by racist southern politicians, police and many white citizens perpetuating this racism.
MLK Jr was a left leaning socialist who wanted far reaching government welfare expansion and communist style economic control. That was to be his Phase II, after achieving civil rights for American blacks. Condemn him for that misguided belief. But don’t twist history to dismiss his important accomplishments.
The desire for the rights guaranteed by the US Constitution to be extended to all Americans is a worthy and patriotic desire. The tactic of daring the state to show their brutality by peacefully protesting against a government that has taken those rights away is a tactic to be emulated, not undermined.
The violence that followed MLK Jr around was almost entirely perpetrated by local and state authorities wearing badges or empowered by local and state politicians. The point of Gandhi style protests is to peacefully assemble, refuse to disperse when required, and then let the cameras record the violent and brutish overreaction of the police, thus shifting the narrative to the immoral nature of the state apparatus.
Branding MLK Jr as a violent extremist is a stupid rewriting of history that condemns him for the wrong reason while apologizing for the brutal bigotry displayed by racist southern politicians, police and many white citizens perpetuating this racism.
MLK Jr was a left leaning socialist who wanted far reaching government welfare expansion and communist style economic control. That was to be his Phase II, after achieving civil rights for American blacks. Condemn him for that misguided belief. But don’t twist history to dismiss his important accomplishments.
The desire for the rights guaranteed by the US Constitution to be extended to all Americans is a worthy and patriotic desire. The tactic of daring the state to show their brutality by peacefully protesting against a government that has taken those rights away is a tactic to be emulated, not undermined.