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4 responses to “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”

1. 

   Curtis L

   January 20, 2014

   The Biblical allusions MLK uses are so beautiful. They aren’t the hit-you-over-the-head-with-it style prevalent today. Much more nuanced and poetic. He reminds me of Lincoln’s use of them. I miss that in our public discourse.

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2. 

   Jon Cogburn

   January 20, 2014

   Yeah, I’m so lucky that this semester the adult Sunday school class at my church is on King’s theology.
   We’re studying the collection of sermons, “Strength to Love” (http://www.amazon.com/Strength-Love-Martin-Luther-King/dp/0800697405/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390231657&sr=1-3&keywords=martin+luther+king+jr ).
   Thusfar we’ve just had three lectures by historians about the historical and theological background, but this week we begin reading the sermons. I’m excited to think about your point while reading them.

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3. 

   Curtis L

   January 20, 2014

   That’s a book that’s been on my to-read list far too long. Need to actually read it.

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4. 

   Patrick S. O’Donnell

   January 20, 2014

   I wonder how many folks know that King expressed solidarity with the international anti-apartheid movement as far back as 1962 (in a joint statement with Chief Albert Luthuli, and signed by others), calling for a variety of economic sanctions, including disinvestment and a boycott of South African products. In a speech in London just prior to his acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, he reiterated the plea to participate in the international movement against the apartheid regime: [….] “…[W]e in America and Britain have a unique responsibility. For it is we, through our investments, through our Governments’ failure to act decisively, who are guilty of bolstering up the South African tyranny.
   Our responsibility presents us with a unique opportunity. We can join in the one form of non-violent action that could bring freedom and justice to South Africa – the action which African leaders have appealed for – in a massive movement for economic sanctions.
   In a world living under the appalling shadow of nuclear weapons do we not recognise the need to perfect the use of economic pressures? Why is trade regarded by all nations and all ideologies as sacred? Why does our Government, and your Government in Britain, refuse to intervene effectively now, as if only when there is a bloodbath in South Africa – or a Korea, or a Vietnam – will they recognise the crisis?
   If the United Kingdom and the United States decided tomorrow morning not to buy South African goods, not to buy South African gold, to put an embargo on oil; if our investors and capitalists would withdraw their support for that racial tyranny, then apartheid would be brought to an end. Then the majority of South Africans of all races could at last build the shared society they desire.
   Though we in the civil rights movement still have a long and difficult struggle in our own country, increasingly we are recognising our power as voters; already we have made our feelings clear to the President; increasingly we intend to influence American policy in the United Nations and towards South Africa.”
   I have a link to both the press statement and the speech above (with ample background material) in my post today at Religious Left Law: http://www.religiousleftlaw.com/2014/01/the-international-anti-apartheid-movement-martin-luther-king-jrs-call-for-economic-sanctions-against.html#more

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