Martin Luther King Jr.'s Human Side

In this podcast episode, biographer Jonathan Eig discusses his goal of writing a biography of Martin Luther King Jr. that emphasizes the human aspects of his life. Eig explores King's complicated relationship with his father and reveals how growing up in relative prosperity on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta shaped King's worldview. Despite his father's difficult nature, King struggled with standing up to him throughout his life. Eig also highlights King's aversion to conflict and his constant pursuit of education, despite his father's opposition. These personal experiences and characteristics deeply influenced King's approach as a protest leader and negotiator with presidents.