The Political Orphanage

MLK and Color Blindness

Jan 19, 2026
Clayborne Carson, a leading historian and director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute, dives deep into MLK's legacy. He discusses the importance of economic justice in King's life and Coretta King's influential political activism. Carson critiques colorblindness, advocating for racial pride while urging a character-based judgment. He explores the complexities of race in policy formulation and highlights stark contrasts in policing responses to protests. The conversation also delves into the diverse tactics of Black political movements.
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INSIGHT

MLK's Multiple Legacies

  • Iconic figures like Martin Luther King Jr. have multiple legacies people can claim selectively.
  • Clayborne Carson urges an inclusive view that accepts King's complexity rather than a single political banner.
INSIGHT

Economic Justice Was Central

  • King's early divinity-school paper shows his long-standing concern for economic insecurity and slums.
  • Carson argues King's civil-rights prominence was partly accidental and economic justice was core to him.
INSIGHT

Jobs And Freedom, Not Just Rhetoric

  • The March on Washington was explicitly for "jobs and freedom," combining economic and civil rights demands.
  • Carson connects King's later Poor People's Campaign to that integrated economic agenda.
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