The Best of America: Martin Luther King Jr.
What would Martin Luther King say about the current racial landscape if he were alive to celebrate his 95th birthday in 2024?
He might still acknowledge the real inequities that Black Americans face today. For example, progressive public safety policies have led to a large number of crime victims, mostly black. Additionally, public schools, which were once engines of black social mobility, are now plagued by eroded standards and the failure of unionized teachers to effectively educate.
Despite the ongoing injustices, America has made significant progress since King’s assassination in 1968. A black American has served two terms as president, and there is now a black vice-president. Black individuals hold top-level positions in the Cabinet, Supreme Court, Senate, House, and as state governors. Race is no longer a barrier to elective office, as demonstrated by several notable black political figures, particularly in New York.
The civil-rights movement, led by King, challenged white America to confront racism through moral power, nonviolence, and a call for full equality. King achieved his goals through persuasion, moral power, and by exposing the injustices of the period. His accomplishments earned him a place in the American pantheon for his achievements over just 13 years on the public stage.
However, King would likely be dismayed by the remaining injustices, particularly the lack of quality education for young black Americans, hypersensitivity and political correctness in discussions about race, and the societal view of racial identity that has, in his view, gone backward. He would also express concerns about the Black Lives Matter movement, the abandonment of the Jewish state, and the failure to fully realize his dream of a time when people would not be judged by the color of their skin.
Overall, King’s legacy lies in his ability to combat injustice by appealing to Americans’ highest aspirations, even amidst his conservative flaws and more controversial views. He pursued and largely achieved his goals, leaving a lasting vision for the nation to strive toward today.
