Monday, June 1, 2020

Misquoting MLK to Legitimize Violence

This grotesque misrepresentation of Dr. King's views is only possible by cynically cherry-picking eight words from a 1966 interview during which he repeatedly emphasized that violence was counterproductive to the progress of the civil rights movement.

I think for the Negro to turn to violence would be both impractical and immoral.

It's pretty difficult to find anything resembling support for street violence or riots in this statement, but a subsequent question about the "Black Power" movement persuaded Dr. King to explain the impetus of the numerous 1966 riots.

The media have dishonestly plucked the highlighted fragment from this 175-word answer to create the false impression that Dr. King somehow viewed violence as a legitimate weapon in the fight for justice.

" This nonsense, like the rest, ignores the facts and includes standard fictions to once again conjure up an image of Dr. King as an advocate of violence in the cause of social justice.

Among those offended by this mendacious exploitation of King's words to validate violence is his niece, Alveda King.

She continues, "Martin Luther King preached love, not hate; peace, not violence; universal brotherhood, not racism." This MLK isn't easy to square with the figure now being portrayed by the media, but the Fourth Estate can't be bothered with facts right now.

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