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Tavis Smiley on Death of a King and the Last Year of Martin Luther King at Miami Book Fair
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Tavis Smiley on Death of a King and the Last Year of Martin Luther King at Miami Book Fair

The Final Year of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Introduction to Tavis Smiley and His Book

  • Tavis Smiley discusses his book "Death of a King," which explores the final year of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life.
  • Smiley expresses admiration for Dr. King, calling him possibly the greatest American and a significant public intellectual who spoke uncomfortable truths.

The Evolution of Dr. King's Message

  • Smiley emphasizes that many people only recognize King's "I Have a Dream" speech from 1963, neglecting his growth over the subsequent five years.
  • He highlights that during these years, King matured and evolved in his thinking and activism.

The Controversial Last Year

  • The last year of King's life is often overlooked; he faced demonization from various groups, including both white Americans and some Black Americans.
  • On April 4, 1967, King delivered the "Beyond Vietnam" speech at Riverside Church, marking a pivotal moment in his activism.

Key Themes in King's "Beyond Vietnam" Speech

  • In this speech, King labeled America as "the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today," presenting a stark critique of U.S. foreign policy.
  • He identified three critical threats to democracy: racism, poverty, and militarism.

Consequences Following the Speech

  • After delivering the speech on April 4th, 1967, there was significant backlash against King from media outlets and political figures.
  • Smiley notes that King's martyrdom has overshadowed his message; society often focuses on his assassination rather than understanding what led to it.

Media Backlash and Public Perception

  • Following the "Beyond Vietnam" speech, major media outlets turned against King; even liberal publications criticized him harshly.
  • The White House also distanced itself from him due to disagreements over the Vietnam War; public opinion shifted dramatically against him during this time.

Isolation Leading Up to Assassination

  • As support dwindled among both white Americans and Black leaders (with nearly 60% viewing him as irrelevant), it became easier for adversaries to target him politically.

The Isolation of Dr. King

The Shift in Support for Dr. King

  • Dr. King's support dwindles as prominent Black leaders and the media turn against him, favoring figures like Stokely Carmichael amidst the rise of Black Power.
  • Within his own organization, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), a resolution condemning him for opposing the Vietnam War is passed, highlighting his isolation.

The Emotional Toll on Dr. King

  • Despite being seen as an optimist, there are indications that Dr. King lost hope during his final year, facing immense pressure as a truth-teller.
  • Cornell West emphasizes the high price of speaking truthfully; King preferred authenticity over living a lie, despite its challenges.

Early Struggles and Mental Health

  • A significant moment from King's youth reveals he attempted suicide at age 12, indicating long-standing struggles with mental health.
  • Upcoming psychoanalytical work on King aims to explore his mental health issues through hospital records and other sources.

Facing Constant Threats

  • In his last year, King feels universally targeted: by his organization, government threats, and public condemnation; this culminates in feelings of despair.
  • The FBI sent a letter encouraging him to commit suicide, showcasing the extreme psychological warfare he faced.

Coping Mechanisms and Inner Turmoil

  • To cope with overwhelming despair, King relied on prayer and personal resilience but often found himself paralyzed by sadness.
  • Despite suggestions from close associates to seek therapy for support, he refrained due to fears of being labeled mentally unstable by authorities.

Legacy vs. Reality

  • Although deified posthumously with holidays and monuments honoring him, there's an argument that this has diluted the true essence of King's message.
  • Even decades after his assassination, King's focus on systemic issues remains relevant today; he would still address contemporary injustices similar to those he confronted in life.

Understanding Dr. King's Legacy and Its Relevance Today

Dr. King's Political Engagement

  • The speaker reflects on how Dr. King would have felt about Barack Obama as the first Black president, noting that King actively campaigned for Carl Stokes, the first Black mayor of Cleveland.
  • Despite his support for Stokes, King faced backlash; elected officials were hesitant to be seen with him due to his controversial reputation at the time.

King's Last Year and His Message

  • In the final year of his life, King continued to advocate for uncomfortable truths regarding racism, poverty, and militarism—issues still relevant today.
  • The speaker emphasizes that understanding King's message is crucial to appreciating his legacy beyond just martyrdom.

Media Landscape and Leadership Challenges

  • The discussion shifts to how today's media environment differs from King's time, questioning how a leader like him could emerge in a more cynical society.
  • The speaker distinguishes between optimism (based on tangible evidence of improvement) and hope (a belief in potential despite circumstances), identifying as hopeful rather than optimistic.

Cynicism vs. Skepticism

  • There is a concern that society has shifted from skepticism towards authority (which King embodied) to outright cynicism, complicating truth-telling efforts today.
  • The speaker notes that being a truth-teller comes with significant personal costs, drawing parallels between their own experiences holding leaders accountable and the challenges faced by King.

Accountability in Leadership

  • Raising critical questions about leadership can lead to backlash within communities; the speaker shares their experience facing criticism for holding President Obama accountable as a Black leader.
Video description

Rich Fahle interviews author and television host Tavis Smiley about his book, Death of a King: The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Year, at Miami Book Fair International 2014. Watch more interviews at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwe1DQGIxfLPCBA-VWQCOWohnkNdBsbEW FROM THE PUBLISHER: A revealing and dramatic chronicle of the twelve months leading up to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination Martin Luther King, Jr. died in one of the most shocking assassinations the world has known, but little is remembered about the life he led in his final year. New York Times bestselling author and award-winning broadcaster Tavis Smiley recounts the final 365 days of King's life, revealing the minister's trials and tribulations -- denunciations by the press, rejection from the president, dismissal by the country's black middle class and militants, assaults on his character, ideology, and political tactics, to name a few -- all of which he had to rise above in order to lead and address the racism, poverty, and militarism that threatened to destroy our democracy. Smiley's DEATH OF A KING paints a portrait of a leader and visionary in a narrative different from all that have come before. Here is an exceptional glimpse into King's life -- one that adds both nuance and gravitas to his legacy as an American hero.