MLK ON WHY AMERICA OWES AFRICANS

Martin Luther King Jr. is known for his leadership in the civil rights movement and his advocacy for racial equality and social justice. In this video, he illustrates the need for economic and social justice for Africans in America. It slightly predates the great March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where he delivered his iconic ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.

King called for an end to racial segregation and discrimination and for equality in all aspects of American society, including economic opportunities, which were heavily skewed in favour of the White population. King believed that economic disparities and systemic inequalities were major obstacles to racial equality. He argued that Africans in America had been historically disadvantaged and that they deserved equal access to economic opportunities and resources. He criticised the capitalist slogan of ‘pulling yourself up by the bootstraps’ and pointed out how its staunchest adherents benefited from government intervention.

His message still bears relevance today. In the context of Global South development, the West - through its financial institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund - prescribes austerity measures as a condition for funding. This has meant less public and social expenditure, including the stripping of subsidies that contribute to improved living standards for many. Meanwhile, big business in the ‘imperial core’ is subsidised, ranging from agriculture to big banks.

And even within America, many would argue the system is still rigged against Africans, as King argued it was back then. Do his words still ring true to you?