“Like any man I would like to live a long life; longevity has its place. But I’m really not concerned about that now because I just want to do Gods will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we as a people will get to the Promised Land! And so I’m happy tonight, I’m not worried about anything, I’m not fearing any man! Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,
Delivered April 3rd, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee

On April 4th, 1968 Dr. Martin Luther Jr. was assassinated on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis; exactly 1 year from the day when he delivered what many consider to be the most controversial speech of his career “Why I Am Opposed to the War in Vietnam.”

This speech by Dr. King would dictate the events that would ensue around him for the last year of his life, and many believe would ultimately culminate in his assassination.

While Dr. King was always a polarizing figure due to the racist culture of America during 1950’s and 1960’s; he had overwhelming support from the black community and many well-meaning liberal Whites. Additionally his strategy of non-violent direct action put a spotlight on America’s Apartheid system that damaged the image of America internationally.

What made this significant was that the Cold War between the US and Russia was in full effect and both were competing for adherents to their respective systems. It became increasingly embarrassing for the US to come before the United Nations and the international community and talk about the merits of democracy and capitalism and its way of life – while its black population was living under a state of legalized terror and oppression.

Additionally, there was higher cost to doing business in the South by having to maintain 2 public and private infrastructures due to segregation. Whites Only and Colored Only facilities significantly increased the cost of doing business and lowered profits for big business.

The confluence of interest of the Federal Government, Big Business with that of blacks wanting to be treated as human beings and free from terrorist attacks and mob violence made for a strange yet effective alliance. The alliance was so effective that it would compel sitting Presidents such as John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson to put the power of the federal government –troops and all – behind the civil rights objectives of Dr. King.

Dr. King, while not loved or even liked by the power elite in the US, was tolerated as long as his movement focused on civil and voting rights for blacks. While many opposed these efforts and wanted to the preserve the status quo, the White House under Lyndon Johnson provided the political support necessary to usher through the Civil Rights Bill and the Voting Rights Bill while Dr. King provided the dramatic direct action non-violent confrontations against racist mobs and an often recalcitrant police force.
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However; Dr. King would come to understand that the support coming from the White House had a price attached to it. That price was to keep the civil rights movement out of the growing anti-war movement that had developed over the Vietnam War.

When Dr. King’s conscience would not allow him to remain silent about the immorality and injustice of the Vietnam War; the White House turned on him with a vengeance.

Dr. King also would begin to understand that civil and voting rights without economic rights; were of little use and of minimal value in changing the condition of the black poor; and hence he would raise his voice about the failures of the economic system and openly question capitalism.

Lastly to put the nail in the proverbial coffin – Dr. King would link the plight of the black poor to that of the white poor, Chicano poor, Native American poor and call for a redistribution of wealth in the country.

Paradoxically; by Dr. King using his prestige and skills to unite the antiwar movement; civil rights movement, labor movement and economic justice movements he likewise succeeded in unifying the most powerful reactionary elements in United States in wanting him removed from the scene; it dead or alive.
When a great man such as Dr. King is taken away from us; it is never enough to ask the question who killed him. The question always to be asked is what killed him?

What military system would kill a man who spoke the truth? What economic system would kill a man who spoke the truth? What governmental system would kill a man who spoke the truth? What law enforcement organization would kill a man who spoke the truth?

By seeking answers to these types of tough questions; we immeasurably raise the discourse and begin to find the answers we are looking for; but more importantly; we begin to understand ‘what’ we need to change to make a better society and better world.

Submitted by Christopher A. Clarke on 10/15/14. 

Christopher A. Clarke is managing editor of Black2020.Com and can be reached through the sites contact page.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qf6x9_MLD0