Why is Martin Luther King's message on the military-industrial complex, society, war less known?
I have recently been learning more about King after I received an email from someone I know. From my classes in High School I learned the basics leader of the civil rights movement, against Vietnam war, etc. After I got this email from this person I read further into the nonviolence and all. I was shocked to learn about King’s message about the military-industrial complex, and this very insightful quote from a speech
“I want to say to you as I move to my conclusion, as we talk about “Where do we go from here?” that we must honestly face the fact that the movement must address itself to the question of restructuring the whole of American society. (Yes) There are forty million poor people here, and one day we must ask the question, “Why are there forty million poor people in America?” And when you begin to ask that question, you are raising a question about the economic system, about a broader distribution of wealth. When you ask that question, you begin to question the capitalistic economy. (Yes) And I’m simply saying that more and more, we’ve got to begin to ask questions about the whole society. We are called upon to help the discouraged beggars in life’s marketplace. (Yes) But one day we must come to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring. (All right) It means that questions must be raised. And you see, my friends, when you deal with this you begin to ask the question, “Who owns the oil?” (Yes) You begin to ask the question, “Who owns the iron ore?” (Yes) You begin to ask the question, “Why is it that people have to pay water bills in a world that’s two-thirds water?” (All right) These are words that must be said. (All right)”
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
11 Answers
Ike said it too, without the dist. of wealth slant.
@steve6 Well that specific quote was more about society, and where we are today I consider. Not about the military-industrial complex, which he also mentioned in other places. I think that distribution of wealth is an issue too though
The CIA was after him almost from the bus boycott. And when he died, the more palatable message was the one that was pushed, the March On Washington message. Valid message, but even King knew he had to bring people in with gentle, hopeful words about the Promised Land before he could get people to listen to what it would take to get there.
But then he was murdered and turned into a statue, a silhouette in background shots on commercials in February. And a sale day now. I’ve seen Martin Luther King sales advertised in the papers. That’s the sad thing; if your message is out there long enough, it can be co-opted by the same forces you’re fighting against.
Just a very intelligent and informed man and may there be more like him…. sad he died so young.
His up there with Nelson Mandela
His message became broader over time. From the 50’s to the mid 60’s it was about equality under the law. By 1965 the legal issues were just about settled and it became a matter of changing attitudes. Organized efforts are more successful when you have a fixed goal like passing a law. A march is less likely to change your neighbor’s point of view.
However he recognised there were other issues to be addressed using his skills and reputation. By 1967 he was spending a lot of time with anti war work but that was such a short time before his death that there was not the body of work as racial issues, so most people were not aware. He was also suppo
He was also supporting organized labor. He was in Memphis when he was killed supporting the rights of garbage workers to organize. We don’t think of him as being involved with that. He was always about justice for the underdog
I have thought about if he had lived and a year later Stonewall had occurred, would he have supported equal rights for gays or would his religious beliefs caused him to favor discrimination?
I think he would’ve been supportive of everyone’s equal rights had he lived long enough. One of his chief lieutenants, Bayard Rustin, was a gay man, and for the time, Rustin was unique in that he was out.
Unfortunately, many other people in King’s circle were adamant that Rustin keep his contributions to the movement, which were significant, secret due to their own homophobia. The FBI tried to “smear” both King and Rustin with a photograph implying that they were having a sexual relationship. I think there should be a movie about him, too! He stood up for pacifist principles and rights for all until he died in 1987. Plus, he sang at Cafe Society back in the 30s. How awesome is that?
Answer this question 
This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.
Composing members:
0
