Eyes_on_the_Prize_-_Episode_10__1967___1968_the_real_episode_10 (2)

Introduction

• Special presentation of American Experience.

• Major funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and corporate sponsorship by Liberty Mutual and The Scotts Company.

• Support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and public television viewers.

• Funding for the rerelease of Eyes on the Prize by the Ford Foundation and the Gilder Foundation.

Martin Luther King's Perspective

• Martin Luther King Jr. asserted that the pursuit of happiness is compromised when individuals lack jobs or income.

• Emphasized that without socio-economic stability, people merely exist, lacking true liberty.

• Critique on spending: $322,000 spent per enemy killed in Vietnam vs. only $53 per poor person in America.

• By 1967, America faced deep division: war abroad and rising poverty at home.

• King saw these issues as inseparable, recognizing the risks of opposing the war publicly, including the potential fallout from his relationship with the Johnson administration.

King's Bold Stand Against the Vietnam War

• Call to action: "We won’t go. Hell no, we won’t go."

• Urged by movement peers to openly oppose the Vietnam War.

• King's reluctance stemmed from fear of losing political allies, especially Lyndon Johnson.

• The pivotal moment came on April 4, 1967, at Riverside Church, where he publicly condemned the war, stating, "A time comes when silence is betrayal."

Opposition and Consequences

• King's stance was met with significant backlash, including claims that he was harming the civil rights movement's progress.

• Concerns arose that he was losing critical allies, particularly the support from President Johnson, leading to a decrease in financial contributions to his organization, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

• The FBI's scrutiny intensified, as they worked to discredit King's reputation amidst claims regarding his associations.

The War on Poverty

• As Vietnam escalated, the war on poverty faltered with 1 in 7 Americans living below the poverty line in 1967.

• King sought national solutions, emphasizing solidarity among oppressed groups.

• There were pressing grassroots movements focused on jobs, welfare, and food prices, highlighting systemic issues affecting various demographics.

The Poor People's Campaign

• Around March 1968, King began organizing the Poor People's Campaign, focusing on economic justice and the plight of the poor.

• The campaign aimed to march to Washington, engaging people of all races and committing to nonviolent direct action.

• Participants emphasized the significance of bringing the issues of poverty to the nation’s capital as a desperate plea for government action.

Challenges and Violence

• During the campaign's progress, discontent grew leading to violent outbursts at some demonstrations, testing King’s philosophy of nonviolence.

• King's leadership faced scrutiny due to the inability to control the violence during these protests.

King's Final Days

• In April 1968, King returned to Memphis for the sanitation workers' strike, advocating for economic justice.

• On April 3, 1968, he gave his famous "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech, addressing the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.

• He showed foreknowledge of his potential demise while urging the community to continue fighting for their rights.

Assassination and Aftermath

• On April 4, 1968, King was assassinated, leading to national unrest and riots in cities across America.

• His death left a void in the civil rights movement and the struggle against poverty.

• King's Poor People's Campaign continued, with 1,000 supporters marching to Washington to honor his legacy.

Resurrection City

• The campaign culminated in the formation of Resurrection City in Washington, D.C., which was set up to demand action against poverty.

• Despite initial excitement, adverse weather and poor organization hampered efforts, leading to disappointment and disillusionment.

• Resurrection City ultimately was dismantled, signifying the challenges that remained in addressing poverty and inequality post-King.

Reflections on King's Legacy

• The text concludes with reflections on a world that continues to grapple with issues of race and class after the deaths of both King and Robert Kennedy, emphasizing the necessity of ongoing advocacy for justice.

• The sentiment is portrayed that history will judge the U.S. based on its treatment of the oppressed.