Rediscovering MLK’s Fight Against Systemic Racism: MLK’s Missing Legacy

MLK’s Missing Legacy: Today, the pastor who leads King’s church in Atlanta is now a sitting Senator. This historic achievement is due to the tireless efforts of Black voters. Yet his voice, much like King’s, falls on deaf ears across a majority of White America.

Even now, members of Congress on both sides of the aisle fail to amplify the consistent message of the Negro Revolution. The solid, unwavering demand for justice remains largely unspoken in the halls of power.

Ignoring the Reality of the Dream

No one in Congress, the White House, or state legislatures reminds America of King’s three core demands. This non-violent warrior sacrificed his life battling segregationist policies. He fought against practices designed to protect white supremacy.

On MLK Day, the nation often chooses comfort over truth. We remember King’s “dream” while actively ignoring his reality. It is crucial to remember that King didn’t start his iconic speech with his dream. Instead, he began by describing the “shameful” chronic condition of Black America.

What Triggered the Revolution?

We saw massive protests following the murder of George Floyd in the spring of 2020. We also witnessed the shocking, violent insurrection attempt on January 6, 2021. Amid these events, Americans seem to have forgotten what triggered the rise of the Negro Revolution in the first place.

We seem to have forgotten that police brutality was a constant threat. We forget the assaults on voting rights. We overlook the viciousness of white supremacy. These forces were ever-present throughout King’s life, both in the streets and in the halls of political power.

A Familiar Crisis

Today’s generation is not experiencing anything new. However, many do not know their history. To them, this may feel like a brand new crisis. It might feel like a sudden ratcheting up of racial discord. This tension is often fueled by the anxieties of some White Americans who fear the change they see on the horizon.

But, of course, America has been here before. The scenes we are witnessing aren’t unique to our generation. Today’s generation has simply forgotten the message of the Negro Revolution. We have lost sight of the legacy of the woke warrior, King.

The Cost of Historical Ignorance

There is a dangerous cycle at play. Generations of White American children are denied truthful, accurate knowledge. They lack a contextual understanding of the ugly history passed down from their parents and grandparents. Consequently, they grow into adults who lack knowledge of the society they inherited.

None of us can teach what we don’t know. Therefore, future generations will inherit the ignorance of generations living today.

Breaking the Cycle with Truth

Without the truth, today’s generations of White Americans remain virtually powerless. They cannot effectively change the nation’s chronic conditions rooted in segregation and white supremacy. This remains true regardless of the explosions of protests across the country. These protests come from those adversely impacted by racist conditions. They are fighting a society governed by biased laws, systems, policies, and practices.

Unless disrupted by truth, the cycle continues. Each generation of White Americans will pass a broad ignorance of society to the next. They will have little capacity to discern the truth. They will have even less capacity to change the current societal conditions. They benefit from these conditions, even if they did not create them.

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