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July 25, 2008 10:11:29 PM CDT

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Not an Icon, a Man

Posted Apr 4, 08 6:41 PM CDT in US 

(Newser) – On the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s assassination, the Washington Post looks past the legend at the multidimensional figure scholars and King's associates consider his true legacy. ”His challenge was much bigger than being nice," says historian Taylor Branch. "It was even bigger than race. It was whether we take our national purpose seriously, which is the full promise of equal citizenship."

Time softens recollections of King's anger, militancy, and harsh criticism of the government, but the issues he was concentrating on in 1968—poverty and war—resonate today. "He was very discouraged," says another historian. "On the other hand, I think he was exhilarated. He was finally doing what he felt he was on this Earth to do—preach the social gospel, help the poor."

Source Washington Post

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Martin Luther King, Jr. and his civil rights marchers head for Montgomery, the state's capitol, in this March 21, 1965 file photo. (AP Photo, File)   (AP Photo)
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., is seen in this undated file photo.   (AP Photo/file)
Mourners waiting to view the body of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. queue up outside the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta just after dawn in this April 9, 1968 file photo.   (AP Photo/File)
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race  • race relations  • Jeremiah Wright  • civil rights  • poverty  • Martin Luther King Jr.  • Vietnam War  • civil rights movement  • 1960s


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