The Political and Rhetorical Strategies of Martin Luther King

http://befreedom.co/the-real-and-rhetorical-strategies-of-martin-luther-king/
Date Written:  2017-11-01
Publisher:  Be Freedom
Year Published:  2017
Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX21648

What we can learned from Martn Luther King about political and rhetorical strategy, as well as movement building and organizing.

Abstract: 
--

Excerpt: MLK drew deeply from many sources: black history and christianity; the revolution in revolutionary strategy accomplished first in India; the promise of America embodied in the Declaration of Independence, and Constitution, and the many global struggles against imperialism in Africa, Asia and South America. MLK was fully engaged with both history and the world he lived in.

Out of this mix King fashioned a powerful political and rhetorical strategy based on a set of closely interwoven concepts and practices: non-violent civil disobedience, love, the beloved community, the America dream and a revolution of values. He relied upon his faith and African-American history to counter fear and fatalism. For King the world is a product of interdependence and mutuality. He urged us to be conscious of our connection with everyone and everything.