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A reading list for MLK Day — the books, essays, and speeches that shape how we think about activism today.
To our readers,
Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., the minister and activist who served as one of the most prominent leaders in the Civil Rights Movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968.
As crucial as it is that we as a nation commemorate Dr. King for his contributions to a more equitable and just society, we must also recognize the ways in which Dr. King’s activism has become whitewashed for the benefit of those “looking for easy absolution,” as journalist Kaitlin Byrd wrote for NBC News in 2019. It’s critical that we not rely on this toned-down advocacy, especially in light of how recent divisions across this country, and beyond.
“Rather than shine a light on the ways our society has fallen short of its incredible promise, past and present,” Byrd continued, “the brilliance of Dr. King’s aspirations are used to make invisible the perpetrators of common violence, the silent disapproval of white moderates and the disparities in income, housing, justice and mortality that have become no less acute with time.”
In time for the federal holiday, we’ve compiled a comprehensive reading and listening list for those looking to further explore Dr. King’s true, radical legacy. Any additional recommendations? As always, please share your picks with us on Instagram.
—Team JBC
Citizen: An American LyricClaudia Rankine
Strength to LoveMartin Luther King Jr.
Democracy in BlackEddie S. Glaude Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr..: A LifeMarshall Frady
The Thing Around Your NeckChimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye HendricksCynthia Levinson
MarchJohn Lewis, Andrew Aydin & Nate Powell
All American BoysJason Reynolds & Brendan Kiely
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou HamerCarole Boston Weatherford
My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Martin Luther King III
“A City’s Step Toward Reparations”The Daily ( The New York Times )
It Was Said (History Channel)
“My Road Trips With Martin Luther King”Outlook (BBC)
“The Juneteenth Message MLK Left Black People Before His Assassination”Black History Year (PushBlack)
“Women of the Civil Rights Movement”’Capehart ( The Washington Post )
“Teaching Martin Luther King Jr. in the age of Freddie Gray”Syreeta McFadden ( The New York Times )
“10 historians on what people still don’t know about Martin Luther King Jr.’TIME Staff ( TIME )
“MLK is revered today, but the real King would make white people uncomfortable”Michael Harriot ( The Guardian )
“The second assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.”Ibram X. Kendi ( The Atlantic )
“Americans see Martin Luther King Jr. as a hero now, but that wasn’t the case during his lifetime”Harry Enten (CNN)
“7 inconvenient truths white people must understand about Martin Luther King Jr.”Shaun Harper ( The Grio )
“Don’t ask what Martin Luther King Jr. would do today and then ignore his real message”Fabiola Cineas ( Vox )
“Letter from Birmingham Jail”Martin Luther King Jr. (written April 1963)
For another celebration of Black contributions to American culture, see our Juneteenth feature on 4 Black Chefs Changing America.
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