Martin Luther King III Discusses Legacy of Civil Rights Movement at FAS Diversity Event

Martin Luther King III — a civil rights advocate and the eldest son of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King — discussed the importance of love in fostering a “beloved community” during a Thursday event.

Social Sciences professor Brandon M. Terry ’05 moderated the conversation, which was held in Sanders Theatre. The event was hosted by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Office for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging as part of its inaugural celebration of the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King throughout the month of February.

According to Terry, the title of the conversation — “Our Beloved Community” — comes from the “political commitments and sacrifices” that the couple supported.

Referencing his father’s speech, “Love Your Enemies,” which was delivered at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church on Nov. 17, 1957, King explained the importance of loving others regardless of differences.

“He said ultimately the highest level of love was defined by the word ‘agape,’ that you love someone if they’re old or young, rich or poor, Black or white, Native American, Hispanic, Latino, Asian — does not matter,” King said. “You love them because God told him to do that.”

King advocated for spreading love, not anger, to “help people to see that which is right and just.”

“What I do know is when we are angry and frustrated, you cannot really think strategically in terms of the highest level of what you want to achieve,” he said.

“Forgiveness is not for them — it’s for you,” he added.

During the event, King reflected on the legacy of Coretta Scott King, who was an honorary chair for an organizing campaign for 1199 Service Employees International Union United Healthcare Workers East and played a significant role in advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.

“Mom was the person who pulled together a team,” he said.

King also discussed his father’s legacy of civil disobedience and referenced the 1955-56 Montgomery Bus Boycott.

“It starts with unity, which unfortunately, we don’t have enough of,” King said. “This is not about segregation and separation. This is about uplifting for the better of all the communities.”

—Staff writer Christina A. Strachn can be reached at christina.strachn@thecrimson.com.