Dr. King's Legacy of Social Justice: 40 Years later

As many of us may know, Friday, April 4th, was the 40th anniversary of that fateful day when Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, jr., civil rights leader, preacher, activist and pacifist was shot dead at a hotel in Memphis, TN while in town to meet with striking garbage workers- the very next day after delivering his "I've Been to the Mountaintop" message.

Then there is that courageously prophetic sermon in which Dr. King denounces the Vietnam War and boldly calls for peace, which I reflected upon last February:

Can Love and War Co-exist?

I was not even born yet when this happened, but my parents have told me all about it- my father and his best friend drove from Philadelphia to attend Dr. King's viewing and funeral, and I have read many of his books and heard/watched a lot of his great speeches and sermons, as well as visiting his tomb, former church, Ebenezer Baptist, (where we worshiped that Sunday), and the national historic site in Atlanta, Georgia.



What are the books and/or speeches of Dr. King that have made the greatest impact on you?Here are a few of mine:

Why We Can't Wait
Stride toward Freedom
Strength to Love
Letter from the Birmingham Jail
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, jr.


Several excellent books about Dr. King and his legacy that I have read are:

Pillar of Fire : America in the King Years 1963-65 (America in the King Years)
Parting the Waters : America in the King Years 1954-63 (America in the King Years)
At Canaan's Edge: America in the King Years, 1965-68 (America in the King Years)

all by acclaimed author Taylor Branch

Martin, Malcolm and America by James H. ConeAnd the Walls Came Tumbling Down by Ralph Abernathy- an autobiography with many references to Dr. King (not all glowing, but very human) I also have the following books on my wishlist:

I May Not Get there With You, by Michael Eric Dyson

The Race Beat, by Gene Roberts

And, of course, there is the U2 song "Pride: In the Name of Love," (featured above) that is dedicated to Dr. King

"One morning, April 4, shot rings out in the Memphis sky...these men that took your life, they could not take your pride. In the Name of Love- what more in the name of love?" (may not be exact words, but close- beside the point though)...What writings, speeches, or events from Dr. King impacted you, your life and your ministry most deeply??

Peace,

John