African American Female Checking In

[Catherina]

107. Oh haha,

there are issues even when Black people mention Dr King. We're supposed to stop at "I have a dream" and ignore everything he said afterwards, especially on war, militarism, economics and how he was organizing a Poor People's Campaign demanding "economic and human rights for poor Americans of diverse backgrounds".



For the record:

The Poor People’s Campaign was motivated by a desire for economic justice: the idea that all people should have what they need to live. King and the SCLC shifted their focus to these issues after observing that gains in civil rights had not improved the material conditions of life for many African Americans. The Poor People’s Campaign was a multiracial effort—including African-Americans, whites, Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Native Americans—aimed at alleviating poverty regardless of race.

Poor people from around the country made up most of the group. Many officials perceived even this group as threatening.

The Committee demanded an Economic Bill of Rights with five planks:

"A meaningful job at a living wage"
"A secure and adequate income" for all those unable to find or do a job
"Access to land" for economic uses
"Access to capital" for poor people and minorities to promote their own businesses
Ability for ordinary people to "play a truly significant role" in the government

More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poor_People%27s_Campaign