King and the Other America : The Poor People's Campaign and the Quest for Economic Equality

**"A meticulously researched look into the development of King’s thought. . . . Laurent’s important new book highlights the depth of the wisdom and organizing skill he brought to the movement for economic justice."—__The Progressive__**Shortly before his assassination, Martin Luther King Jr. called for a radical redistribution of economic and political power to transform the whole of society. In 1967, he envisioned and designed the Poor People’s Campaign, an interracial effort that was carried out after his death. This campaign brought together impoverished Americans of all races to demand better wages, better jobs, better homes, and better education. __King and the Other America__explores this overlooked and obscured episode of the late civil rights movement, deepening our understanding of King’s commitment to social justice and also of the long-term trajectory of the civil rights movement.Digging into earlier radical arguments about economic inequality across America, which King drew on throughout his entire political and religious life, Sylvie Laurent argues that the Poor People’s Campaign was the logical culmination of King’s influences and ideas, which have had lasting impact on young activists and the public. Fifty years later, growing inequality and grinding poverty in the United States have spurred new efforts to rejuvenate the campaign. This book draws the connections between King's perceptive thoughts on substantive justice and the ongoing quest for equality for all. Shortly Before His Assassination, Martin Luther King, Jr. Called For A Radical Redistribution Of Economic And Political Power To Transform The Whole Of Society. A Neglected And Obscured Episode Of The Late Civil Rights Movement, The Poor People's Campaign, Designed By King In 1967 And Carried Out After His Death, Brought Together Impoverished Americans Of All Races To Demand Better Wages, Better Jobs, Better Homes, And Better Education. He Believed That Not Only A Fight For Rights But The Radical Distribution Of Wealth Had To Be Demanded Through Interracial Protest. King And The Other America Explores This Overlooked Campaign To Not Only Understand King's Commitment To Social Justice But To Understand The Long-term Trajectory Of The Civil Rights Movement. Digging Into Earlier 20th Century Arguments About Economic Inequality Across America, Which King Drew On Through His Entire Political And Religious Life, Sylvie Laurent Argues That The Poor People's Campaign Was The Logical Culmination Of King's Influences And Ideas And The Lasting Impact He Had On Young Activists And The Public. Fifty Years Later, Growing Inequality And Grinding Poverty In The United States Have Spurred New Efforts To Rejuvenate The Campaign. This Book Is Essential To Understanding Today's Movement Through King's Radical, Intellectual Thought And His Struggle For Genuine Equality For All--provided By Publisher. The Patriarchs -- The Prophets Of Justice -- The City And The Church -- The Torchbearer -- The Pauper -- An American Commune -- A Counter-war On Poverty -- Facing Structural Injustice -- A Right Not To Starve. Sylvie Laurent ; Foreword By William Julius Wilson. George Gund Foundation Imprint In African American Studies--prior To Title Page. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. 'An elegant and timely history of how black intellectuals have long made a case for the intersections between class and race.'—The Nation'A meticulously researched look into the development of King's thought.... Laurent's important new book highlights the depth of the wisdom and organizing skill he brought to the movement for economic justice.'—The Progressive Shortly before his assassination, Martin Luther King Jr. called for a radical redistribution of economic and political power to transform the whole of society. In 1967, he envisioned and designed the Poor People's Campaign, an interracial effort that was carried out after his death. This campaign brought together impoverished Americans of all races to demand better wages, better jobs, better homes, and better education. King and the Other America explores this overlooked and obscured episode of the late civil rights movement, deepening our understanding of King's commitment to social justice and also of the long-term trajectory of the civil rights movement. Digging into earlier radical arguments about economic inequality across America, which King drew on throughout his entire political and religious life, Sylvie Laurent argues that the Poor People's Campaign was the logical culmination of King's influences and ideas, which have had lasting impact on young activists and the public. Fifty years later, growing inequality and grinding poverty in the United States have spurred new efforts to rejuvenate the campaign. This book draws the connections between King's perceptive thoughts on substantive justice and the ongoing quest for equality for all. "A meticulously researched look into the development of King’s thought. . . . Laurent’s important new book highlights the depth of the wisdom and organizing skill he brought to the movement for economic justice."— The Progressive Shortly before his assassination, Martin Luther King Jr. called for a radical redistribution of economic and political power to transform the whole of society. In 1967, he envisioned and designed the Poor People’s Campaign, an interracial effort that was carried out after his death. This campaign brought together impoverished Americans of all races to demand better wages, better jobs, better homes, and better education. King and the Other America explores this overlooked and obscured episode of the late civil rights movement, deepening our understanding of King’s commitment to social justice and also of the long-term trajectory of the civil rights movement. Digging into earlier radical arguments about economic inequality across America, which King drew on throughout his entire political and religious life, Sylvie Laurent argues that the Poor People’s Campaign was the logical culmination of King’s influences and ideas, which have had lasting impact on young activists and the public. Fifty years later, growing inequality and grinding poverty in the United States have spurred new efforts to rejuvenate the campaign. This book draws the connections between King's perceptive thoughts on substantive justice and the ongoing quest for equality for all.