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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact
February 7, 2024
HISTORY: Remembering it like it never was the leader of the Civil Rights Movement, mid-1950s through the late 1960s. In 1964, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for t’s African American his ideology and practice of Heritage Month! Although non-violent civil disobedience the MLK holiday has against inequity, racism in the passed, if you’re on social media, U.S. perhaps you saw it. A video clip He gave voice to oppressed of a cute little blue-eyed, brownand disenfranchised persons as haired girl sharing what she he had the ear of presidents and learned in school that day. Her various world diplomats. And, response, “Martha Luker King, he was assassinated at the very Jr.” When asked what this Martha young age of 39 leaving a wife Luker King, Jr. did without pause and four children. Was his death she answered, “He died for our just due to someone’s bigotry or sins.” was there more to his murder? Of course, the person asking Today, people from all walks her the questions couldn’t keep of life, political leanings, it together after hearing this theological underpinnings tend child’s remark. I know I certainly to remember a Dr. King that couldn’t. How this little one never was— at least correctly recalled what she believed she recalled in historical context. knew about Dr. Martin Luther Did you know that he had a King, Jr. is not a mistake only disapproval rate by the American children make. Many adults public at the time of his death of remember a history like it never 75 percent, according to a 1968 was, also. Harris Poll? That percentage Dr. King is revered for being BY REV. VALERIE STEELE
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Director of Communications: Joseph Harris Multimedia & Web Manager: Andrew Himes Editor of Publications: Jena Barber Communications Specialist: Tabitha Beckman 1501 N.W. 24th, Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Stories and photos by the editor unless otherwise noted.
included black and brown people. He was not popular for being outspoken against the Vietnam War, standing with workers receiving unfair treatment and wage inequity, calling America out for its indifference to the existing poverty within its cities, and the dire inequities found in public education. Dr. King was maligned as a Communist with propaganda of the same
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