MLK on Poverty in America

This segment of a mid-60s speech by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. addresses economic inequality and poverty in the U.S. It is set against a backdrop of photographs and video clips taken by Bernie Beaudreau in Rhode Island and New Orleans (except for the pictures of Dr. King and that era) from 2005 to 2009. This is one of several selections from MLK's speeches in preparation for the MLK Day Institute, January 18, 2010.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• AmeriCorps
• MLK
• Day
• Dr.
• Martin
• Luther
• King
• Jr.
• economic
• justice
• poverty
• social
• policy

[bbeaudreau]

I generally agree with your point. That's why I selected these lesser known segments (toward the end of the piece). Thanks for your comments.

[tallnuf4ya]

It's a shame that after fifty years we are still going through this BULL****. Dr Kings words should be ringing so loud in your ears thay should be blowing your head off. Do the right thing for the right reason. Stop with the so called safety net, yes we need to eat but for the right reason, we need jobs for the right reason, we need equality for the right reason. The poverty rate went from 46 million in 2008 to 51 million in 2009. Blacks and latinos are drowning in disrespect....... enough!!

[MADDOG6400]

2:26 - Food panty??

[ChampCarforlife]

@modernmanOH

Well said and a good example is Hermain Cain and Allen West.

[britainmalbangkok]

The Government uses race card to back track on the poverty issue. All races that are poor in America need to reuite to end poverty. We need to make our views know, we should join Occupy Wall street to spread the cause.

[britainmalbangkok]

@TheWhitesavage You need government in order for them to start anything if they are poor. The poor do not have a rich family to get them started like your greedy arse has.

[modernmanOH]

Most Americans (even black Americans) disapproved of Dr. King at the time of his assassination. Today everyone 'celebrates' him. But what we celebrate is a sanitized, deodorized version of the man; a caricature that the capitalists can tolerate. Dr. King's message was far more radical; and if he were alive today and preaching that same message, he would likely be murdered again.

[TheWhitesavage]

Sure, the way to end poverty is through poverty programs. Proven failure. The way to end poverty is through education and ownership, something MLK didn't push. Depending on the government to come and save you make you a slave. Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X had it right, build an economy in your neighborhood and employ within. Now black wealth is leaving it's communities at 90% thanks to MLK's failed thinking of equality through "guilt". You can't guilt someone into treating you equally.

[jazzbluesreggae123]

This is the type of sermon that would make church worth attending.