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New York Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
The Many Political Interpretations of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Legacy
The enduring legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has long existed as a powerful, yet pliant, force in American public life. Even during his early rise, political figures understood the potency of aligning with, or opposing, King's moral authority. John F. Kennedy, for instance, gained political advantage during a tight 1960 presidential race by intervening on King's behalf after an Atlanta arrest, forging crucial links with Black voters. Years later, Richard Nixon considered reaching out to King, but instead found political mileage in casting the civil rights leader as a rabble-rousing lawbreaker, solidifying Nixon's 'law and order' image. The dynamic of selective engagement and strategic distortion cropped up once again this week with the Trump administration's disclosure of documents from the National Archives related to King. The surprise release, at a time when the White House has been seeking to redirect attention from the Jeffrey Epstein controversy, reignited the longstanding debate over King's contested narrative. This disclosure, which brought few new revelations, was particularly anticipated by people who look for signs that King's assassination was orchestrated, or that King himself was not the flawless moral figure he is often portrayed to be. King's daughter, Bernice King, observed in a statement after the files' release that 'a 1967 poll reflected that he was one of the most hated men in America.' She added that 'many who quote him now and evoke him to deter justice today would likely hate, and may already hate, the authentic King.' Those words point to a persistent truth, said Dr. John Kirk, a civil rights historian at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. King's monumental impact was never static, he said. Instead, it became a malleable narrative, continually reshaped by political forces across the ideological spectrum to serve their divergent aims. Speaking of the tranche of files released by President Donald J. Trump, Dr. Kirk added: 'This is part of a long history of King and his legacy being used and abused. He hasn't been here to shape his own memory. It's been far easier for other people to appropriate and reappropriate his ideas and claim to speak on his behalf.' On the right, the appropriation of King's legacy often began with a subtle process of depoliticization, presenting him as universally revered, shearing him of his more revolutionary tenets. This sanitized appropriation stands in contrast to the extensive surveillance he endured from the F.B.I. under J. Edgar Hoover, who once branded King as 'enemy No. 1.' The reframing commonly has hinged on selective interpretations of iconic King phrases from seminal moments in his public life. For example, in his 'Letter From Birmingham Jail,' he defended civil disobedience against racist laws and rebutted moderate white members of the clergy who wanted him to be patient and stop protesting. But portions of the letter are used by some conservatives to defend strengthening law-and-order policies or to support people who resist government rules like vaccine mandates. Selective quoting has also served a strategic aim: to dismantle the very progressive measures King ardently pursued. Ron DeSantis, the Republican governor of Florida, and the activist Christopher Rufo have invoked King's 'I Have a Dream' speech — quoting his hope that children 'will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character' — to argue against race-conscious policies. Such interpretations, Dr. Kirk noted, 'distort the way King thought about race.' He said King believed that race should 'be confronted in American life as a way of moving beyond it,' not 'just simply forgetting about race.' The pattern of adapting King's public image gained a considerable foothold with President Ronald Reagan's establishment of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. Despite his long-held skepticism of King, Reagan signed the holiday law under public pressure at a time when his approval rating among moderate voters was declining. The move made direct opposition to King increasingly difficult for conservatives, leading to an effort to 'take their King and change him into something that he really wasn't, to try and make him more palatable to the right,' said Jeanne Theoharis, a professor at Brooklyn College and author of the biography, 'King of the North.' For some Democrats, the legacy of King has become 'ossified in history,' transforming him into a 'saintly figure who has now been deified,' Dr. Kirk observed, adding that this idealization could potentially diminish King's relevance. The progressive left's engagement with King's legacy may also brush over the nuances of King's life and message. Some people on the left may view King as too moderate for today's challenges, reflecting a desire for a more confrontational approach to systemic issues. Others may diminish his moderation and put to the fore his later, more radical positions, like his criticism of the Vietnam War and his demand for a 'revolution of values' to overcome what he termed the 'giant triplets' of 'racism, extreme materialism and militarism.' The selective interpretation of King's message is hardly a new phenomenon; it occurred even into his own lifetime. But the easy-to-digest version of King lacks the urgency and fight he demanded. King believed that 'injustice is comfortable,' Dr. Theoharis explained, adding that 'therefore, real change often required making people deeply uncomfortable, challenging their norms, their pocketbooks, and their complacency.' 'There is this sense of wanting to put ourselves next to King, without having to do the work that he and many of the people he organized would require of us,' Dr. Theoharis said. 'So, we drape ourselves in the dead King.' She described how powerful figures, even those who welcomed and glad-handed King publicly to further their political aims, would distance themselves when he pushed for actual structural change. The release of documents from the National Archives is unlikely to exert a profound impact on how the public perceives him, Dr. Kirk said, adding that it was just another example of using King's legacy as a political piñata. King was not merely an idealist with a dream or the flag-bearer of nonviolent resistance. He was a champion of economic justice, an ardent anti-militarist and a tireless advocate for systemic transformation that confronted racism, poverty and war. He was willing to challenge comfortable orthodoxies and endure personal hardship. The question, perhaps, is what would happen to the country's politics if partisans on all sides grappled with the complexities of King's entire person, rather than just the convenient fragments of his legacy.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Now Do Epstein': Martin Luther King Jr.'s Daughter Takes Aim At Trump Over Released MLK Files
Bernice King, the youngest daughter of the late Martin Luther King Jr., has pointedly implored President Donald Trump to release the Jeffrey Epstein case files after the Trump administration released a slew of long-sealed documents surrounding her father's 1968 assassination. Trump released the documents about the legendary civil rights leader despite the King family's opposition. 'While we support transparency and historical accountability, we object to any attacks on our father's legacy or attempts to weaponize it to spread falsehoods,' the King family said in a statement on Monday. The documents related to King's assassination were among others that Trump made public through a January executive order. Bernice King called out Trump about the documents on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday. 'Now, do the Epstein files,' she wrote alongside a photo of her father. Bernice King's post comes as Trump has been hit with scrutiny over his administration's handling of the Epstein files in recent weeks. Among the critics are the POTUS' supporters and right-wing figures who have demanded that the administration release more information on the deceased disgraced financier and convicted sex offender. Meanwhile, Trump boldly claimed on Sunday that the 'Jeffrey Epstein Hoax,' as he called it, has upped his approval rating among voters. 'My Poll Numbers within the Republican Party, and MAGA, have gone up, significantly, since the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax was exposed by the Radical Left Democrats and, just plain 'troublemakers,'' he wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. Trump, who did not clarify which polls he was citing, continued, 'They have hit 90%, 92%, 93%, and 95%, in various polls, and are all Republican Party records.' He added: 'The General Election numbers are my highest, EVER! People like Strong Borders, and all of the many other things I have done. GOD BLESS AMERICA. MAGA!' Related... Trump Boldly Claims The 'Jeffrey Epstein Hoax' Has Boosted His Approval Rating 'Significantly' Tucker Carlson Unleashes Bizarre Theories On Why Pam Bondi Is Hiding Epstein List Trump Continues Evading Questions About His Child Sex Trafficking Friends
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MLK Jr's daughter tells Trump ‘now do the Epstein files' after 230,000 pages released on civil rights leader
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter has urged Donald Trump to release the full, unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files after thousands of documents surrounding the civil rights activist's assassination were unsealed. Bernice King, 62, issued a blunt request to the president after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced the release of more than 230,000 pages tied to MLK's 1968 murder, promising 'complete transparency' over the case. 'Now, do the Epstein files,' King tweeted on Monday evening, along with a photograph of her father. King, who was five when her father was assassinated, and her brother Martin Luther King III, said in a joint statement: 'While we support transparency and historical accountability, we object to any attacks on our father's legacy or attempts to weaponize it to spread falsehoods.' Now, do the Epstein files. — Be A King (@BerniceKing) July 21, 2025 Some civil rights activists rejected claims that the Trump administration was pursuing true transparency. The King Center, which is now led by Bernice King, framed the release of documents as a distraction. 'It is unfortunate and ill-timed, given the myriad of pressing issues and injustices affecting the United States and the global society,' it said. Rev. Al Sharpton said in a statement that Trump's unsealing of the MLK assassination files was 'not about transparency or justice.' 'It's a desperate attempt to distract people from the firestorm engulfing Trump over the Epstein files and the public unraveling of his credibility among the Maga base,' he added. The documents on the murder of the civil rights leader were posted as Trump faces mounting pressure to release all documents related to Epstein's sex trafficking investigation. Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter, Bernice King, has called on Trump to release the Epstein files (Getty Images) The president continues to face MAGA backlash after his administration concluded earlier this month that there was no evidence the convicted sex offender maintained a 'client list.' Trump has repeatedly framed the issue as a 'hoax' perpetrated by Democrats. The Democrats, in return, said that Trump is attempting to distract from the scandal, including by peddling a conspiracy theory that former President Barack Obama orchestrated the Russia investigation into Trump's 2016 campaign. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters on Monday that Trump is 'running scared.' 'Why do we think President Joe Biden or President Barack Obama's names are being invoked?,' he said. 'Because Donald Trump is running scared.' A day after the Wall Street Journal's bombshell report that Trump allegedly sent a bawdy 50th birthday card to Epstein, the president asked the court to unseal grand jury transcripts in the prosecution of Epstein and his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. A former prosecutor said that the document release is unlikely to produce much, if anything, and is a move to 'present himself as if he's doing something here and it really is nothing.'
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MLK's daughter tells Trump ‘now do the Epstein files' after 230,000 pages released on civil rights leader
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter has urged Donald Trump to release the full, unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files after thousands of documents surrounding the civil rights activist's assassination were unsealed. Bernice King, 62, issued a blunt request to the president after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced the release of more than 230,000 pages tied to MLK's 1968 murder, promising 'complete transparency' over the case. 'Now, do the Epstein files,' King tweeted on Monday evening, along with a photograph of her father. King, who was five when her father was assassinated, and her brother Martin Luther King III, said in a joint statement: 'While we support transparency and historical accountability, we object to any attacks on our father's legacy or attempts to weaponize it to spread falsehoods.' Now, do the Epstein files. — Be A King (@BerniceKing) July 21, 2025 Some civil rights activists rejected claims that the Trump administration was pursuing true transparency. The King Center, which is now led by Bernice King, framed the release of documents as a distraction. 'It is unfortunate and ill-timed, given the myriad of pressing issues and injustices affecting the United States and the global society,' it said. Rev. Al Sharpton said in a statement that Trump's unsealing of the MLK assassination files was 'not about transparency or justice.' 'It's a desperate attempt to distract people from the firestorm engulfing Trump over the Epstein files and the public unraveling of his credibility among the Maga base,' he added. The documents on the murder of the civil rights leader were posted as Trump faces mounting pressure to release all documents related to Epstein's sex trafficking investigation. Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter, Bernice King, has called on Trump to release the Epstein files (Getty Images) The president continues to face MAGA backlash after his administration concluded earlier this month that there was no evidence the convicted sex offender maintained a 'client list.' Trump has repeatedly framed the issue as a 'hoax' perpetrated by Democrats. The Democrats, in return, said that Trump is attempting to distract from the scandal, including by peddling a conspiracy theory that former President Barack Obama orchestrated the Russia investigation into Trump's 2016 campaign. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters on Monday that Trump is 'running scared.' 'Why do we think President Joe Biden or President Barack Obama's names are being invoked?,' he said. 'Because Donald Trump is running scared.' A day after the Wall Street Journal's bombshell report that Trump allegedly sent a bawdy 50th birthday card to Epstein, the president asked the court to unseal grand jury transcripts in the prosecution of Epstein and his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. A former prosecutor said that the document release is unlikely to produce much, if anything, and is a move to 'present himself as if he's doing something here and it really is nothing.'
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
MLK Jr's daughter tells Trump ‘now do the Epstein files' after 230,000 pages released on civil rights leader
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter has urged Donald Trump to release the full, unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files after thousands of documents surrounding the civil rights activist's assassination were unsealed. Bernice King, 62, issued a blunt request to the president after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced the release of more than 230,000 pages tied to MLK's 1968 murder, promising 'complete transparency' over the case. 'Now, do the Epstein files,' King tweeted on Monday evening, along with a photograph of her father. King, who was five when her father was assassinated, and her brother Martin Luther King III, said in a joint statement: 'While we support transparency and historical accountability, we object to any attacks on our father's legacy or attempts to weaponize it to spread falsehoods.' Some civil rights activists rejected claims that the Trump administration was pursuing true transparency. The King Center, which is now led by Bernice King, framed the release of documents as a distraction. 'It is unfortunate and ill-timed, given the myriad of pressing issues and injustices affecting the United States and the global society,' it said. Rev. Al Sharpton said in a statement that Trump's unsealing of the MLK assassination files was 'not about transparency or justice.' 'It's a desperate attempt to distract people from the firestorm engulfing Trump over the Epstein files and the public unraveling of his credibility among the Maga base,' he added. The documents on the murder of the civil rights leader were posted as Trump faces mounting pressure to release all documents related to Epstein's sex trafficking investigation. The president continues to face MAGA backlash after his administration concluded earlier this month that there was no evidence the convicted sex offender maintained a 'client list.' Trump has repeatedly framed the issue as a 'hoax' perpetrated by Democrats. The Democrats, in return, said that Trump is attempting to distract from the scandal, including by peddling a conspiracy theory that former President Barack Obama orchestrated the Russia investigation into Trump's 2016 campaign. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters on Monday that Trump is 'running scared.' 'Why do we think President Joe Biden or President Barack Obama's names are being invoked?,' he said. 'Because Donald Trump is running scared.' A day after the Wall Street Journal 's bombshell report that Trump allegedly sent a bawdy 50th birthday card to Epstein, the president asked the court to unseal grand jury transcripts in the prosecution of Epstein and his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. A former prosecutor said that the document release is unlikely to produce much, if anything, and is a move to 'present himself as if he's doing something here and it really is nothing.'
