Harry Belafonte spent much of his life supporting youth-led movements that fought against racial injustice. A historian explains how.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on Martin Luther King, Jr.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 141 articles
Known as the ‘King of Calypso’, Belafonte used his platform as an artist to elevate and support political activism.
Singer, actor and activist died on April 25 at the age of 96. His legacy spans stage, screen and political activism.
Religious pluralism and social justice were at the core of King’s campaigns – a vision shaped by influences as diverse as Gandhi, the Black church, Greek classics and Buddhism.
A memorial to Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King Jr. has received stinging criticisms, but time will tell whether ‘The Embrace’ will endure as a cherished work of public art.
From family to grassroots activists, these are some of the women who shaped MLK’s vision and campaigns.
Bayard Rustin led a long and complicated life dedicated to the fight for equal rights. Targeted by the FBI, Rustin became a close adviser to Martin Luther King Jr.
As Martin Luther King Jr. gained national prominence, the FBI launched several investigations to prove that King and his radical allies were communist sympathizers and a danger to America.
The United States came in 41st worldwide on the UN’s 2022 sustainable development index, down nine spots from last year. A political historian explains the country’s dismal scores.
Global climate movements have espoused nonviolence, but some are adopting more radical tactics in light of the increasing threats posed by climate change.
When Rosa Parks was arrested for sitting in the front of a bus in Montgomery, Fred Gray was her lawyer. Now he’s being honored for a lifetime of civil rights advocacy.
Scholars discuss the meaning of Ketanji Brown Jackson’s elevation to the highest court in the land.
President Joe Biden’s nominee for the US Supreme Court withstood four days of hearings and was confirmed to become the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court.
In a speech that touched on America’s darkest days and most inspirational leaders, Ukraine’s embattled president made a powerful call for stronger action on Russia.
Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings, which earned him a global following, gave simple instructions on mindfulness and emphasized how it could be practiced anytime, even when doing routine chores.
In his brief life, Martin Luther King Jr. had a variety of interests that informed his work as leader of the civil rights movement. His alma mater has collected some objects that tell his story.
MLK’s vision for nonviolence included abolishing what he called triple evils – racism, poverty and militarism.
King saw parallels between the anti-colonial movement in Africa and the civil rights struggle in the US.
Kaunda will be remembered as a giant of 20th century African nationalism – a leader who gave refuge to revolutionary movements, a relatively benign autocrat and an international diplomat.
Meredith is a civil rights hero who doesn’t fit neatly into political categories. He espouses conservative ideas, yet he proclaims a radical mission to destroy white supremacy.
Top contributors
-
Professor of American History, University of Colorado Colorado Springs
-
Professor of English, North Carolina State University
-
Professor of Geography and Senior Research Associate in the Rock Ethics Institute, Penn State
-
Adjunct Professorial Lecturer, American University School of Public Affairs
-
PhD Candidate in History, University of Leeds
-
Associate Professor of Africana Studies and History, Bowdoin College
-
John Rennie Short is a Friend of The Conversation.
Professor, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
-
Professor, Department of History, University of Dayton
-
Managing Director of the McCourtney Institute of Democracy, Associate Research Professor, Political Science, Co-host of Democracy Works Podcast, Penn State
-
Professor in American Studies, Northumbria University, Newcastle
-
Professor of Homiletics, Howard University
-
Assistant Professor of Intellectual Heritage, Temple University
-
Professor of Education and Affiliate Faculty in Philosophy, University of Cincinnati
-
Lecturer of Labor Studies, University of California, Los Angeles
-
Sharon D. Wright Austin is a Friend of The Conversation.
Professor of Political Science, University of Florida
