Rare Video of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Civil Rights and Peace

Rare excerpts from "The Frank McGee Sunday Report: Martin Luther King Profile," NBC News, May 7, 1967. The symbol behind Dr. King was used by the Chicago Freedom Movement, also known as the Chicago Open Housing Movement, which Dr. King helped lead from 1965-67. Under it was the slogan, coined by movement spokesperson Don Rose, "We're On the Move To End Slums."

In the interview, Dr. King talks with NBC correspondent Tom Petit about why he chose to "take a vigorous stand" against the U. S. government's undeclared war in Vietnam, for which he had received widespread criticism from the news media, civil-rights groups, religious and labor leaders and President Lyndon B. Johnson's administration.

"I cannot overlook the fact that I am a Negro," Dr. King tells Petit, "and that this war is doing a great deal to destroy the lives of thousands and thousands of my brothers and sisters. We are dying physically in disproportionate numbers in Vietnam. ... The other thing is that we are dying spiritually and psychologically in disproportionate numbers at home in the ghettos, and I think the war itself accounts for our spiritual and psychological death here at home."

This is how the struggles for civil rights at home and for peace abroad are "tied together."

Dr. King also answers the charge that the civil-rights movement is "dead" by explaining that it has entered a "new phase ... where we are seeking GENUINE equality, where we are dealing with hard economic and social issues" beyond integrating lunch counters and buses.

In an excerpt from a speech at Cleveland, Ohio, on April 28, 1967, Dr. King answers the critics of his peace stand by branding the Vietnam conflict as "an evil war." "And no matter where it leads," he declares, "no matter what abuses it may bring, I'm gonna tell the truth."

A year later, on March 10, 1968, "The Frank McGee Sunday Report," which had provided Dr. King with a fair platform to explain his views on the Vietnam war, broadcast an hour-long special report on the increasingly costly and divisive conflict.

In his summation, McGee, who was one of the first television network "stars" to publicly express doubts about the war, said: "The grand objective -- the building of a free nation [in South Vietnam] -- is not nearer, but further from realization. In short, the war, as the Administration has defined it, is being lost. ... Laying aside all other arguments, the time is at hand when we must decide whether it is futile to destroy Vietnam in the effort to save it" (Don Oberdorfer, "Tet! Turning Point in the Vietnam War" [Johns Hopkins, UP, 1971, 2001], pp. 272-73).

Three and a half weeks later, on April 4, 1968, Dr. King was assassinated at Memphis, Tenn.

For additional background on Dr. King's peace stand, see the following two articles by historian Paul Lee in "The Michigan Citizen" (Detroit):

1) "Dr. King's Decalogue: 'Ten commandments on Viet Nam,'" March 25th-March 31st, 2007:
http://michigancitizen.com/dr-kings-decalogue-p4290-78.htm

2) "Dr. King's Decalogue: A postscript," June 10th-June 16th, 2007:
http://michigancitizen.com/dr-kings-decalogue-a-postscript-p4615-73.htm

(Video Courtesy of NBC News)

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Frank McGee
• Tom Petit
• Vietnam
• Peace
• Civil Rights
• Cleveland
• 1967
• Chicago Freedom Movement

[pauldarwinlee]

Dear "TVACdotCA,"

You are very kind, and very welcome. Believe me, it's an honor to post such videos as a small contribution to allowing history to speak for itself rather than being spoken for by people in my profession. I have the honor to be

Grate-full-Lee yours,

Paul Lee, Channel Moderator

[pauldarwinlee]

You're very welcome. Enjoy your King Day on Monday.

I have the honor to be

Cordial-Lee yours,

Paul Lee, Channel Moderator

[pauldarwinlee]

Dear "SkykomishHotel,"

I'm shocked again to receive a civil post from someone who appreciates history and Dr. King's contributions to it, rather than the hateful, racist spoutings of someone who needs to get a life. You're very welcome.

I have the honor to be

Grate-full-Lee yours,

Paul Lee, Channel Moderator

[pauldarwinlee]

Wow. This is the first CIVIL comment that anyone has posted in weeks! I've been compelled to delete all kinds of racist drivel, which makes me wonder where this country is going. Thank you, and you're very welcome.

I have the honor to be

Grate-full-Lee yours,

Paul Lee, Channel Moderator

[pauldarwinlee]

Please post any political rants on your channel or someone else's. Thank you.

I have the honor to be

Cordial-Lee yours,

Paul Lee, Channel Moderator

[pauldarwinlee]

My channel is devoted to the discussion of HISTORICAL VIDEOS. You should post your political beliefs on your own or some sympathetic channel. Thanx.

I have the honor to be

Cordial-Lee yours,

Paul Lee, Channel Moderator

[gospelx2]

Thank God for Dr Martin Luther King!!!

[mooreyb]

MLK's expansion to the Vietnam issues and many other international issues, led to his assassination. His entry into these international arena's were the last straw. He was a threat to the Money to be made from the war. Oh a lone gunman shot him dead. Really! Please!!

[anarok]

Thank you for posting this, and the other things you post. We lose the humanity of public figures in the haze of time, and forget the fullness of their philosophy and efforts. The Reverend Doctor was a human being, with many concerns regarding social justice, and we forget that in favor of a one trick crusader.

[smokydave]

amazing.. so good to look back and see what the man said himself about what he wanted for his legacy.  with so many politicians trying to claim allegiance with him, even as they attempt to eliminate the civil rights act or the minimum wage..

[losermon17]

"No matter where it leads no matter what abuses it may bring, I'm going to tell the truth!"

[TVACdotCA]

@pauldarwinlee Thank you so much for posting this. What a great historical record.

[OnedayIsToday]

THIS DAY BRINGS BACK THE INTELLIGENCE OUR PEOPLE POSSESS INSTEAD OF THE IGNORANT DISRUPTIVE RANTINGS SO MANY HAVE ADOPTED. THANK YOU FOR THE PEACE..

[TheSldennis]

Thanks for posting, I am coming across many MLK videos that I have never seen before, Thanks, God bless