‘Apostles of freedom are ever idolised when dead, but crucified when living.’ Revolutionary socialist James Connolly’s (1868-1916) words ring true now as they did in 1898.
Take the FBI posting about the Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr (1929-68), on the US holiday that observes his birthday, as if the same organisation did not work against King while he was alive.
J Edgar Hoover (1895-1972), the man responsible for jailing Pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey (1887-1940), headed the FBI and called for it to ‘Do something about Malcolm X.’ Hoover considered King a threat because his vision for racial and economic justice challenged the status quo.
The FBI ran an extensive campaign, including surveillance, wiretaps and listening devices in King’s hotel rooms. King accused the FBI of attempting blackmail through an anonymous letter, along with a tape of his alleged infidelities, suggesting he should commit su*cide to avoid public embarrassment. The FBI leaked information about King’s personal life to the media and attempted to turn public opinion against him. However, the press at the time largely refused to publish such details.
The King family and others have argued that James Earl Ray (1928-98) was used as a scapegoat for King’s assassination, which they say involved a broader conspiracy including the US government, the mafia and Memphis police. In 1999, a Memphis jury in a civil trial found local, state and federal governments liable for King’s death.
So are we really supposed to forget all this and just be grateful that the FBI had a change of heart and is now commemorating King?
Let us know in the comments.
Sources
FBI post
https://x.com/FBI/status/1881371223075995958
J Edgar Hoover: Garvey, Malcolm, Hampton
FBI vs King
James Earl Ray was scapegoat
https://archive.ph/hK1KK#selection-971.253-971.267