In 1968, the life and leadership of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ended with his assassination in Memphis, Tenn. Today, many are familiar with King’s legacy, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott, an early and major event in the American Civil Rights Movement.
The recent film “Selma” has heightened visibility of the legacy of “Bloody Sunday,” another of the movement’s seminal events, and the fight that culminated in the Voting Rights Act. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” his challenge to white Christian leaders to act now and not later, has assumed its proper place in both social justice scholarship and in the memories of many.
Less is said, however, about King’s work concerning his stance against the Vietnam War and the anti-poverty agenda spelled out in his work From Chaos to Community. This agenda was addressed when King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, and the Rev. Ralph Abernathy worked with the civil rights community to erect Resurrection City at the same location as the March on Washington.
This initiative, now known as the Poor People’s Campaign, included thousands of participants who stayed in tents on the National Mall in 1968. The rains were heavy that year. Some in the government proved rigid and set in the old ways. Others objected on the basis of fear. Participants faced these challenges, yet continued to move forward.
Since 1968, there have been many other boycotts advocating for economic empowerment and other socio-political movements led by and supported by African-American churches and organizations as well as other institutions.
There have also been aspects of a Pan-African, anti-poverty faith agenda as well. Despite all of this, the specific tenets of King’s proposal of how to end poverty, such as a guaranteed income for all, still have not been systematically addressed.
African-Americans continue to suffer disproportionately high rates of hunger and poverty despite the growing economy, according to a new analysis recently released by Bread for the World, a 501(c) 4 organization. The shortage of good, stable jobs and the impact of mass incarceration on the community continue to worsen the situation.
Bread for the World is convinced we can help to end hunger by 2030 through praying, acting, and giving, but there is much work ahead of us to get this done. As recently as last month, African-American church leaders said they need ways to deepen their commitment to a Pan-African anti-poverty agenda of faith.
Our country’s history is tied closely to Africa, and now, generations later, Africa is on the rise again with its emerging economies. Soon Bread for the World will further outline its proposal for work with African-American church leaders and partners.
We look forward to any input you might like to give in this regard. Send comments to bread@bread.org or call (202) 639-9400, or the toll-free number, (800) 822-7323.
Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. By changing policies, programs and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, we provide help and opportunity far beyond the communities where we live.
