The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, which is now a national holiday here in the U.S. after 15 years of struggle to make it happen, is celebrated on the the third Monday of January, though he was born on Jan. 15, 1929. Over time, much of who the man was and what he inspired has been watered down, with even right-wing racists quoting Dr. King’s words as a cover for what they really believe in (white supremacy and white privilege).
The music that was generated by the movement he helped lead remains as powerful as his words and actions. Let’s listen to some of it today.
RELATED STORY: The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. loved Black music and musicians loved him back
”Black Music Sunday” is a weekly series highlighting all things Black music with over 190 stories covering performers, genres, history, and more, each featuring its own vibrant soundtrack. I hope you’ll find some familiar tunes and perhaps an introduction to something new.
