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MLK Was a Working-Class Hero

From: Dick Meister
Length: 03:11

A commentary noting that Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the staunchest and most effective supporters working Americans have ever had. Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Playing: MLK Was a Working-Class Hero
From: Dick Meister

Default-piece-image-2 There are, of course, many reasons for celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day . But we shouldn't forget that one of the most important reasons is Dr. King's championing of union rights, which he considered to be one of the most important of civil rights. Dr, King was assassinated, remember, while helping lead the struggle for union recognition by sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee. His death led directly to the strikers' victory in the face of what had been overwhelming odds and to similar victories throughout the South and elsewhere.

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Piece Description

There are, of course, many reasons for celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day . But we shouldn't forget that one of the most important reasons is Dr. King's championing of union rights, which he considered to be one of the most important of civil rights. Dr, King was assassinated, remember, while helping lead the struggle for union recognition by sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee. His death led directly to the strikers' victory in the face of what had been overwhelming odds and to similar victories throughout the South and elsewhere.

Broadcast History

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Transcript

?I AM A MAN,? the signs proclaimed in large, bold letters. They were held high ? proudly and defiantly ? by hundreds of African-American men marching through the streets of Memphis, Tennessee forty years ago. It was in the spring of 1968.

The marchers were striking union members ? sanitation workers demanding that the city of Memphis formally recognize their union and thus grant them a voice in determining their wages, hours and working conditions.

Hundreds of supporters joined their daily marches ? most notably Martin Luther King Jr. He had been with the 13 hundred strikers from the beginning of their bitter struggle. He had come to Memphis despite threats that he might be killed if he did.

Workers? struggles for union rights often are though to be of no great importance. Dr. King knew better. He knew that the right to unionization is one of the most important civil rights. A...
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