King and the other America : the Poor People's Campaign and the quest for economic equality / Sylvie Laurent ; foreword by William Julius Wilson.

Author/creator Laurent, Sylvie author.
Other author Wilson, William J., 1935- writer of supplementary textual content.
Format Electronic
PublicationOakland, California : University of California Press, [2018]
Descriptionxii, 368 pages ; 24 cm
Subjects
King, Martin Luther, Jr., 1929-1968--Influence.
Equality--United States.
Poor--United States.
Poor People's Campaign.

Contents 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."
Abstract "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.
General note"George Gund Foundation imprint in African American studies"--prior to title page.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references and index.
Issued in other formOnline version: Laurent, Sylvie. King and the other America. Oakland, California : University of California Press, [2018] 9780520963436
LCCN 2018015301
ISBN9780520288560 hardcover ; alkaline paper
ISBN0520288564 hardcover ; alkaline paper
ISBN9780520288577 paperback ; alkaline paper
ISBN0520288572 paperback ; alkaline paper

Availability

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Joyner General Stacks HN90 .S6 L35 2018 ✔ Available Place Hold