Happy “that’s not what he meant” Day!
Here’s a primer on spotting misuses of MLK’s life and legacy today.

You know they’re misusing MLK when they

1. Promote peace and unity at the expense of justice.

Dr. King pointed out that any peace not founded on justice is a false peace https://twitter.com/michellcclark/status/1351170325942329344
/2 You know they’re misusing MLK’s legacy when they use him to

2. Promote a social justice cause without mentioning racial justice

3. Promote personal charity apart from social justice

4. Blame black people for their own social suffering

5. Promote colorblindness
/3 You know they’re misusing MLK’s legacy when they use him to..

6. Cast America as having gotten over its race problem

7. Speak of racial reconciliation in terms of interpersonal relationships apart from systemic change and resource distribution

8. Idealize America’s past
/4 You know they’re misusing MLK’s legacy when they

9. Use his words against present day freedom fighters

10. Place him alongside racist historical icons as if they stood for the same things

11. Treat him as having a powerful social cause rather than a powerful gospel ministry
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