MLK Pt2: Prof Farley replies

This post about the good and bad that Martin Luther King did for African Americans became on the most commented on and most read items on this blog in 2008. The discussion started with this article by Professor Jonathan Farley. Jonathan then came onto the show to talk about it with you, and a year on he’s has now gone back to read all of your comments and respond them in great detail.

This is what he’s just emailed me. Whether you agree with him or not, I’m sure you’ll appreciate the considerable amount of time he’s taken responding to all of your points.

Martin Luther King’s legacy

Well a spectacular win in South Carolina on Saturday for Barack Obama.. In his victory speech, Mr Obama called on his supporters to overcome racial divisions and work for what he called the politics of shared prosperity. Throughout his campaign Obama has reached for the legacy of Martin Luther King to the call for change. Martin Luther King had a dream.. 40+ years on is Barack Obama the realisation of that dream?

Not according to Jonathan Farley. He’s a former Martin Luther King Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He argues that to liken Barack Obama to Martin Luther King does him no favours because King, like the civil rights movement failed African Americans. In a recent article in the Guardian newspaper, Dr Farley wrote that “King built nothing, and taught us only how to take a beating’ He adds ’A Black King did not redeem us. And neither will a black president.’

Jonathan Farley is a guest on today’s programme and happy to debate his views with you all. If you want to come on post a comment here on the blog and well get back to you or email the programme at worldhaveyoursay@bbc.co.uk

What did Martin Luther King do for African Americans?

I read this article in The Guardian yesterday and was immediately convinced that plenty of you would like to speak to the man who wrote it. He’s called Jonathan Farley and all being well he’s going to be on Monday’s show. (You might need to sign-up to The Guardian website I’m afraid.)