Fifty Years Since MLK: A Boston Review Forum

Fifty years ago, on April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. His death sent shockwaves through the nation and the world, and sparked a wave of riots and protests. In the years since, King's legacy has been debated and celebrated, and his words and deeds continue to inspire people around the globe.

To mark the 50th anniversary of King's assassination, Boston Review has gathered a group of leading scholars and activists to reflect on his legacy and the state of racial justice in America today. The forum, titled "Fifty Years Since MLK," features essays by Cornel West, Derrick Bell, Angela Davis, Michelle Alexander, and others.

The essays in the forum cover a wide range of topics, from the history of the civil rights movement to the present-day challenges of racial inequality. West argues that King's dream of a beloved community has yet to be realized, and that we must continue to fight for racial justice. Bell writes about the need for reparations for slavery and its lingering effects on African Americans. Davis discusses the role of mass incarceration in perpetuating racial inequality. And Alexander argues that we need a new civil rights movement to address the systemic racism that continues to plague our society.

Fifty Years Since MLK (Boston Review / Forum Book 5)

by William F. Felice

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1882 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	111 pages

FREE

The forum is a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about race and justice in America. The essays provide a fresh perspective on King's legacy and offer important insights into the challenges we face today.

Cornel West: The Dream Unfulfilled

In his essay, "The Dream Unfulfilled," Cornel West argues that King's dream of a beloved community has yet to be realized. West writes that "the dream of a beloved community is not a utopia, but a realistic goal that can be achieved through nonviolent struggle." He calls for a new generation of activists to take up the mantle of the civil rights movement and fight for racial justice.

Derrick Bell: Reparations for Slavery

Derrick Bell's essay, "Reparations for Slavery," argues that the United States has a moral obligation to provide reparations for slavery and its lingering effects on African Americans. Bell writes that "reparations are not a handout, but a way of acknowledging the historical debt that this country owes to its black citizens." He calls for a comprehensive reparations program that would include financial compensation, land, and educational opportunities.

Angela Davis: Mass Incarceration and Racial Inequality

Angela Davis's essay, "Mass Incarceration and Racial Inequality," discusses the role of mass incarceration in perpetuating racial inequality. Davis writes that "mass incarceration is a system of racial control that disproportionately targets African Americans." She calls for a radical overhaul of the criminal justice system, including the abolition of prisons and the decriminalization of drug use.

Michelle Alexander: A New Civil Rights Movement

Michelle Alexander's essay, "A New Civil Rights Movement," argues that we need a new civil rights movement to address the systemic racism that continues to plague our society. Alexander writes that "the old civil rights movement focused on dismantling the legal barriers to racial equality, but we now need a new movement that focuses on dismantling the systemic racism that continues to hold African Americans back." She calls for a new movement that is based on the principles of intersectionality, solidarity, and mass mobilization.

The essays in the "Fifty Years Since MLK" forum provide a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about race and justice in America. The essays offer fresh perspectives on King's legacy and important insights into the challenges we face today.

Fifty Years Since MLK (Boston Review / Forum Book 5)

by William F. Felice

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1882 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	111 pages

FREE