The White Washed Legacy of Dr. King
#NoFilter MLK JR. DAY
It's MLK Day
It's Martin Luther King Jr. Day! For most Canadians, that means our feeds are filled with the most popular MLK Jr. quotes, and for our southern neighbours, it means a long weekend.
And while politicians will use today to celebrate MLK Jr. legacy, the King family has asked for "no celebration" of MLK Day without action on voting rights.
It makes sense to us, without action on his beliefs, celebrating MLK Day is performative AF.
“[We] will not accept empty promises in pursuit of my father’s dream for a more equal and just America.”
To be clear, this isn't us saying we shouldn't celebrate MLK Jr. Instead, we're calling attention to the contradiction of politicians and leaders using today to talk about Dr. King's incredible legacy then moving for legislation that is in direct contradiction of Dr. King's beliefs.
The truth is, the version of Dr. King that has been commercialized into a holiday isn't reflective of the incredible man, radical visionary, and justice advocate he was.
On MLK Day we are given a white washed version of him to celebrate that is centered around white comfort, while simultaneously creating the illusion of solidarity to placate the Black community.
Revisionist History is White-washed History
This isn't the first time in history we've been forced to consume an altered version of history.
The vicious and brutal colonization of Indigenous communities on Turtle Island
The history and role of Christian missionaries in countries of colour globally
The invasion, 20 year occupation and the rapid withdrawal of NATO troops in Afghanistan
“The version of MLK used on MLK Jr. Day] tells us that hate cannot drive out hate, that we should judge each other on the content of our characters, and that poverty and racism are their own evils.
This Dr. King does not think us wrong as long as we do not have hate in our heart, doesn’t want us to dwell on each other’s differences and knows that what hurts white people also hurts black people.
This Dr. King does not judge. This Dr. King does not see color. He does not ask for reparations. His solitary request is to act with love.”
“They only agreed to honor King’s legacy after enough time had passed to sufficiently whitewash the radical who unapologetically fought for liberty and justice for all.
This might be why they contend that he “gave his life” for civil rights – as if he agreed to take a projectile from a high-powered rifle to his temple in exchange for a statue, a church fan with his face on it, and a three-day weekend in the
future.”
The real Martin Luther King Jr. made white people uncomfortable
“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”
There was never a moment in his entire life when the majority of white people in America approved of him.
Dr. King was a radical that challenged systemic racism supported reparations, and advocated for universal basic income.
MLK spoke passionately and openly about how the quest for Black liberation needed to include systemic action against police brutality, such as defunding and abolishing the police system as we currently know it.
He consistently held America accountable for its colonial past and its present-day ramifications and legacy.
He reminded white people of the intersectionality required in the equality movement and reminded the masses of white and privileged folk that bystanders of oppression are, in fact, also oppressors.
The Real MLK Jr. was a disrupter of the status quo
“[We need to] create the kind of tension in society that will help men to rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism”
Dr. King wanted to make white people uncomfortable.
Making people with privilege feel uncomfortable about societal inequities that have been created to oppress BIPOC communities makes a lot of sense to us.
Especially since for communities who face this systemic oppression, the experience is far worse than feeling discomfort, rather it is violent, harmful, exhausting and often lethal.
In countries like Canada and the US, people with privilege should all lean into that feeling of discomfort and ask ourselves why the fuck we allow for such inequity in nations that have the money, resources and solutions to address these systemic horrors of oppression.
Dr. King was right, we need to be uncomfortable because that is what will lead to awareness, understanding and then action.
Lean into the discomfort
Dr. King's primary strategy to affect progress was a non-violent direct action in order to influence the white community to a point where marginalized people’s desperate cries could no longer be ignored.
Work on unlearning frameworks and beliefs rooted in white supremacy, colonialism, patriarchy and capitalism. Start where you are and make an effort to learn more about one issue that resonates with you. You don't have to become an expert, you just have to start developing an understanding that centers a Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) lens to issues impacting us today.
For example, what is the JEDI approach to...
COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada
COVID-19 Pandemic globally
Climate Emergency
Inequitable and Unsafe work cultures
Income Inequity
Housing Crisis
Truth and Reconciliation
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2-Spirit Folk
Criminal 'Justice' System
Gender Inequity
Access to Health Services
Access to Higher Education
Basic Human Rights in Canada
Human Rights Globally
6 Steps to Non-Violent Direct Action via MLK Jr.
STEP ONE: INFORMATION GATHERING
Identify the issues in your community and/or school in need of positive change. To understand the issue, problem or injustice facing a person, community, or institution, you must increase your understanding of the problem. Your investigation should include all sides of the issue and may include formal research and listening to the experiences of others.
STEP TWO: EDUCATE OTHERS
It is essential to inform others, including your opposition, about your issue. In order to cause change, the people in the community must be aware of the issue and understand its impact. By educating others you will minimize misunderstanding and gain support and allies.
STEP THREE: PERSONAL COMMITMENT
Check and affirm your faith in the philosophy and methods of nonviolence. Causing change requires dedication and long hours of work. Meet with others regularly to stay focused on your goal. Prepare yourself to accept sacrifices, if necessary, in your work for justice.
STEP FOUR: NEGOTIATIONS
Using grace, humor and intelligence, confront the individuals whom need to participate in this change. Discuss a plan for addressing and resolving these injustices. Look for what is positive in every action and statement the opposition makes. Do not seek to humiliate the opponent but call forth the good in the opponent. Look for ways in which the opponent can become an ally.
STEP FIVE: DIRECT ACTION
These are actions taken to convince others to work with you in resolving the injustices. Direct action imposes a “creative tension” into the conflict. Direct action is most effective when it illustrates the injustice it seeks to correct.
There are hundreds of direct action, including:
• Boycotts --- refusal to buy products
• Marches and rallies
• Letter-writing and petition campaigns
• Political action and voting
• Public art and performance
STEP SIX: RECONCILIATION
Nonviolence seeks friendship and understanding. Nonviolence does not seek to defeat the opponent. Nonviolence is directed against evil systems, oppressive policies, and unjust acts, not against persons.
MLK Jr. Quotes too Radical and Honest to White-Wash
“The evils of capitalism are as real as the evils of militarism and racism. The problems of racial injustice and economic injustice cannot be solved without a radical redistribution of political and economic power.”
“Whites, it must frankly be said, are not putting in a similar mass effort to reeducate themselves out of their racial ignorance. It is an aspect of their sense of superiority that the white people of America believe they have so little to learn.”
“Again we have deluded ourselves into believing the myth that capitalism grew and prospered out of the Protestant ethic of hard work and sacrifices. Capitalism was built on the exploitation of black slaves and continues to thrive on the exploitation of the poor, both black and white, both here and abroad.”
Sources: NBC News, The Guardian, Standford University King Institute Adaption of “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”, Martin Luther King Jr.
