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Cincinnati To Focus On King's More Radical Side

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s message turned much more pessimistic in 1966 and 1967, according to scholar Dr. Adam Clark.
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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s message turned much more pessimistic in 1966 and 1967, according to scholar Dr. Adam Clark.

This year's MLK Cincinnati theme is anything but the peacemaking message of years past. Titled "Unfair, Unequal, Unacceptable," organizer Christina Brown says speakers will not be focusing on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech.She says, "Given the tumultuous climate surrounding all of the social issues that we have and just the general exasperation felt across the board following the election, we thought it was important to revisit King's more radical ideology."

Adam Clark, a Xavier University professor, will be giving the keynote speech at the Taft Theatre. "I focus on the part of his legacy when he started to realize most whites are unconscious racists, that America is the greatest purveyor of violence in the world and I talk about why did he say those things."

The Schedule:

  • 8:00 a.m. breakfast at the Freedom Center (sold out).
  • 10:30 a.m. Commemorative Civil Rights March begins at the Freedom Center.
  • 11:00 a.m. Fountain Square Interfaith Prayer Service, march to Taft Theatre.
  • 11:30 a.m. Taft Theatre, MLK Commemorative Celebration (Music Hall is closed to be renovated).

Clark says he hopes people "understand King's courage to soldier on despite tremendous obstacles, and see him (King) as a resource as to what social change could look like in contemporary America."

The MLK Coalition wants the conversation to continue by using #MLKUNAFRAID on Twitter (@MLKINGCOALITION) and Instagram (@MLKCOALITION).

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With more than 30 years of journalism experience in the Greater Cincinnati market, Ann Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her reporting. She has reported for WKRC, WCKY, WHIO-TV, Metro Networks and CBS/ABC Radio. Her work has been recognized by the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2019 and 2011 A-P named her “Best Reporter” for large market radio in Ohio. She has won awards from the Association of Women in Communications and the Alliance for Women in Media. Ann reports regularly on science and technology in Focus on Technology.