Code Switch Everyone wants a piece of Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy
Jan 10, 2024
Hajar Yazdiha, author of The Struggle for the People's King, discusses the co-optation of Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy and the complexities of the Civil Rights Movement. She explores the whitewashing of his radicalism, the misconceptions around nonviolence, and the appropriation of his legacy by various social justice movements. The podcast also touches on the need for internal reckoning within these movements and the ongoing debate surrounding MLK's legacy.
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Today in 1963
- In 2013, Code Switch ran a Twitter feed called "@TodayIn1963".
- It tweeted news from 1963, highlighting the civil rights struggles and public anxiety.
Shifting Public Opinion
- MLK was viewed favorably by only one-third of Americans before his assassination.
- Today, he's a celebrated figure whose legacy is claimed by various groups.
Ryan Kent's TikTok
- Ryan Kent's TikTok video satirizes how MLK's legacy is often misinterpreted.
- It highlights how his words are used to silence dissent or justify opposing views.