Code Switch Freedom through the eyes of foes: Rev. Martin Luther King and Sen. Barry Goldwater
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Jan 17, 2026 Nicholas Buccola, a Professor of humanism and ethics and author of One Man's Freedom, explores the contrasting legacies of Martin Luther King Jr. and Barry Goldwater. He delves into how both redefined freedom: Goldwater's abstract ideals versus King's focus on dignity and tangible rights. Buccola addresses why each leader was perceived as both a champion and a threat to freedom, and how their visions resonate in today's political landscape. He emphasizes the lessons from the 1960s that can inform our current struggles for liberty and justice.
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Two Visions Of Freedom
- Nicholas Buccola frames King and Goldwater as competing leaders claiming the mantle of freedom.
- Their clash reveals how a single value can mean radically different political projects.
King's Warning About Hidden Alliances
- Martin Luther King saw Goldwater as providing "aid and comfort" to the extreme right even if not personally racist.
- King viewed Goldwater's rhetoric as dangerous because it empowered segregationists and hard-right extremists.
Identity Shapes Competing Freedom Claims
- Goldwater emphasized an undifferentiated "American" identity while King insisted on addressing racial identity and dignity.
- That disagreement framed broader debates about identity politics and who counts as fully American.
