"Across the spectrum, Americans celebrate King’s Civil Rights leadership. Yet he was just as prophetic and bold in opposing the U.S. war in Vietnam. He is less remembered for this, perhaps because it’s much easier for the government to co-opt the cause of racial equality, given the Civil Rights Act and other laws passed since, than it is for the government to co-opt his principled opposition to war, an issue that exposes the violent, destructive, and illiberal nature of federal power. "In recognition of King’s legacy, I would recommended readers peruse his stirring April 4, 1967, speech in New York, where he criticized American political leaders for grandstanding on domestic unrest while perpetuating far worse criminality in Vietnam. King condemned American war-making and concluded that until it is addressed, America’s internal problems with racism and violence would persist."
Posted on: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 18:44:43 +0000
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