There are parallels between the race struggles of Martin Luther King half a century ago and the Black Lives Matter movement of today. This story tells of how attention is being brought to the disparities between races in the United States, and how the message has changed from an aspirational tone to a commitment to truth-telling. Protesters in both struggles were working to transform America and focus on respect. Listen to hear more about civil rights activism in this interview recorded on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Story Length: 5:17
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May 1, 2015
4:54
On the morning of April 12, 2015 Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man from Baltimore, was arrested by police and fell into a coma as a result of spinal cord injuries sustained while in police custody. He died on April 19th, a week after his arrest. The officers involved have been suspended with pay but there have been no public answers about what happened. Peaceful protests in Baltimore turned violent, leading to riots and property destruction. This incident tapped into anger and resentment in a city known for racial segregation, economic marginalization and police violence. Listen to learn more about the way these tensions played out in one neighborhood during the violence.
Update: The six police officers involved in Gray's death were charged with a range of crimes including murder. They have pled not guilty.
Read MoreDecember 3, 2014
3:43
Fifty years ago, on June 21, 1964, three young men went missing. They were part of Freedom Summer, an effort to register black residents to vote in segregated Mississippi. They were murdered by the local Ku Klux Klan. When their bodies were found a month later, the outrage led to the passage of civil rights protections. On November 24, 2014 President Obama posthumously awarded these three men the highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to honor their sacrifice and work towards equality.
Read MoreNovember 28, 2014
8:16
In 1961 the FBI targeted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to be wiretapped because of his affiliation with a former communist leader. Their efforts became personal when Dr. King spoke badly of the FBI. Wiretapping of Dr. King’s motel rooms exposed that he was unfaithful to his wife and this led to an effort by the FBI to expose his extramarital affairs by going to the press. But the media didn’t bite, and Dr. King remained unscathed and able to lead the Civil Rights Movement.
Read MoreFebruary 24, 2014
5:13
During Black History month, it’s important to learn about the small protest that sparked the civil rights movement. Four black teenagers demanded service at an all-white lunch counter in 1960. One of those protesters recently passed away and this story reflects on his life and impact.
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