Poor People's Campaign (King's Unfulfilled Dream)

[H2O Man]

“We believe the highest patriotism demands the ending of the war and the opening of a bloodless war to final victory over racism and poverty.” – Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.; March 4, 1968

A year to the day before he was assassinated, Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his “A Time to Break Silence (Beyond Vietnam)” speech. I believe this was and is the most powerful political-social-economic speech in American History. Many of King's closest associates believed that this speech led directly to the plans to murder him.

A month to the day before his death, King publicly announced his plans for a “Poor People's Campaign,” to take place during the summer of 1968 in Washington, DC. One result was members of the US Congress demanding that the federal government stop King from carrying out the planned demonstration.

Over the past two years, I've posted a number of essays on the Democratic Underground, advocating that we reconsider King's last plan. As my thoughts received meager response, I assumed that in part I was an imperfect messenger, and that perhaps the time was not yet ripe for such a plan.

Within the next week, I hope to be posting an interview with a national political figure here; it is the second in the series that started with the Mark Rudd interview in January. One of the topics that will be discussed is King's planned “Poor People's Campaign,” and the need for such an extended event today.

Peace,
H2O Man

[Donnachaidh]

1. kick and Rec! n/t

[Octafish]

2. Dr. King understood how war, justice and poverty were intertwined.

"Our only hope today lies in our ability to recapture the revolutionary spirit and go out into a sometimes hostile world declaring eternal hostility to poverty, racism, and militarism." -- –Martin Luther King, Jr., “Beyond Vietnam”, 4 April 1967, Riverside Church, New York City

Heartbreaking and maddening in every way: If he'd kept his focus on racial equality, they might have let him live. And that stands as a clue for finding those responsible -- whether before or after the fact.

Really look forward to the next interview, H20 Man. As I do all your posts.

[H2O Man]

12. Right.

King instilled a sense of dignity in those who had suffered from the type of social/cultural abuse that aborted self-respect. He created a sense of hope when things seemed hopeless to many.

Those are, by no coincidence, exactly what people in this country need today: dignity, self-respect, hope, and confidence. Then, and only then, can people engage in the individual and group efforts need to bring about social justice in the USA.

I think it will happen.

[mmonk]

3. Thank you.

It will help DU gain insight.

[Poboy]

4. recommend.

[OHdem10]

5. THE AMERICAN PROSPECT (paper edition, March) has some

absolutely great articles in which they acknowledge
we can no longer win elections using the formula
we have been using. When the working class turn
on us as they did in 2010, we will continue to lose.

In fact they suggest we go to Martin L. Kings plan
to bring all poor people, Black White, Hispanic
Asian, everyone under one mantle. Poor People's
Campaign of MLK.

[mmonk]

6. +1

[hootinholler]

7. "One result was members of the US Congress demanding that the federal government stop King "

Is this documented? Who? I knew J Edgar wasn't very appreciative of Dr. King's influence, I didn't realize there was an open advocacy to silence him in Congress.

-Hoot

[H2O Man]

9. Robert Byrd led

the effort. The entire speech he delivered -- about the need for "emergency" powers to stop King -- is included in a book by Dick Gregory and Mark Lane. I'll look for it here in a bit.

[hootinholler]

10. That sort of makes sense

He led a very wandering path but I think ended on the side of justice.

-Hoot

[H2O Man]

11. I agree.

He was imperfect, even at his best. But he definitely stood up when he found out how the Bush/Cheneyites had "suspended" the Constitution on the afternoon of 9/11. His book "Losing America" is one of the best examples of a Senator fulfilling his/her obligation to educate the public. It is odd, perhaps, that he had once favored a similar action, to be taken against a minority group; however, he seems to have come to understand the danger of this.

[mmonk]

16. I bought Losing America when it was published.

Byrd took a wayward path but found the righteous one. He is proof people can grow and come upon the proper awareness.

[Tatiana]

8. Very interesting. I will look forward to it.

Very timely message, as well. We definitely need to kick off a "Poor People's Campaign" here in this nation. More and more people are falling behind, while wealth is concentrated in the hands of the very few.

We need a political revolution in this country and we need citizens to let go of their apathy and despair and take a good look at what is happening before their own eyes. Our children are inheriting a mess.

[RagAss]

13. Looking forward to the interview. And the Campaign !

[OneGrassRoot]

14. I look forward to the next interview. Thank you. :) K&R n/t

[Me.]

15. K & R

[Solly Mack]

17. K&R

[H2O Man]

18. Re: Hearts

Thank you for those. You are very nice.

Back to work!