Code Switch The co-opting of MLK Jr. by...everybody
Jan 22, 2025
Hadjar Yazdia, a professor at USC and author of "The Struggle for the People's King," dives deep into the complex legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. He reveals how King was relatively unpopular at the time of his assassination, yet is now celebrated by diverse political groups. The conversation explores the co-opting of King’s ideals by contemporary movements, examines ideological reinterpretations, and critiques historical revisionism in the media. Yazdia emphasizes the need to reclaim King's original messages for a more accurate understanding of civil rights.
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March on Washington 1963
- In 1963, the March on Washington sparked fears of violence and rioting.
- However, it ended peacefully, with minimal arrests and trash, contrasting with its current portrayal.
Shifting Public Opinion on MLK
- MLK was viewed favorably by only one-third of the US before his assassination.
- Today, he is widely celebrated, his birthday a holiday, and his legacy claimed by various groups.
Early Sanitization of MLK's Image
- The whitewashing of MLK's radicalism began during his lifetime.
- Media often downplayed his activism or portrayed him negatively, even when acknowledging his achievements.