KQED's Forum Reflecting on Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy in the Age of Trump
Jan 19, 2026
Jelani Cobb, a staff writer at The New Yorker and a journalism professor, reflects on the complexities of Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy amid today's political landscape. Eva Paterson, a retired civil rights leader, shares powerful memories from the day King was assassinated and contextualizes the cyclical nature of progress. Nicole Lee discusses reclaiming King’s radical vision and emphasizes grassroots mobilization. Together, they tackle the ongoing struggle against systemic injustice and the importance of local activism for social change.
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Arc Bends Only If We Bend It
- Jelani Cobb argues the moral arc bends only if people actively bend it themselves through sustained effort.
- He frames the current moment as a collective test that determines what we bequeath future generations.
History Mirrors Modern Immigration Tactics
- Cobb connects historic Fugitive Slave Act practices to modern immigration enforcement and community responses.
- He says communities may disagree on policy but reject neighbors being snatched and subjected to torture.
King's Radical Economic Vision
- Jelani Cobb highlights Martin Luther King Jr.'s late-career focus on economic inequality and the Poor People's Campaign.
- He recommends King's Where Do We Go From Here? as prescient for today's racial and economic struggles.
