Perpetual Hate: The Assassination of MLK and the Distasteful Truths We Need to Face

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TODAY MARKS THE 53rd ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. TWR YOUTH FELLOW DORENE HANTZIS CONNECTS THIS PAST TO THE PRESENT AND EXPLORES THE HISTORICAL TRUTHS WE MUST CONFRONT TO REACH OUR GOAL OF “NEVER AGAIN.”

By Dorene Hantzis

Martin Luther King was shot once and mortally wounded in the Lorraine Motel at 6:01 pm on the 4th of April 1968. He died surrounded by his friends, who had all originally planned to join him the following day to lead a peaceful protest in support of striking sanitation workers. Soon after he was pronounced dead, his corpse was taken from the Saint Joseph Hospital to the Gaston Hospital, both located in Tennessee. 

The months following the assassination were taken over by the hunt for James Earl Ray, possible government conspiracies for his murder, and outrage and disbelief from people of color and civil rights advocates from across the world. Questions arose about who would replace him as one of the most famous champions of the civil rights movement, and the potential ramifications of the growing animosity from both sides. The day before he was cruelly murdered King delivered his last sermon, stating: 

“Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter to me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!” 

King knew that even after he passed there would still be much to do in the field of human rights and equality. To this day, we still have a lot of work to do for equality but we’re getting closer and closer every day. 

Today is the 52nd anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, and yet we still mourn and ponder over lives lost to identity-based violence. Unfortunately, King’s murder was not an isolated incident of violence and hatred. We can still parallel these atrocities from decades ago to the hardships of minority groups today. The world, America especially, has a hard time facing atrocities in our past and the failure of the majority to act against hate. During Martin Luther King’s life, he fought fiercely against economic, racial, and social inequality. Today, the past is more present than ever because we still face these issues despite the fact that people are more aware of these issues than ever. To be able to confidently and correctly have civil discussions, we need to face historical truths from the past that are less than savory. The concerns that MLK raised are the same concerns that activists raise every day. During his time, Americans denied the fact of racism and the sordid history of oppression against people of color. Now, as we take one step closer to the ultimate goal of equality, we need to face our nation’s historical truths honestly. 

This April 4th and during the whole month of April, we recognize the efforts of Martin Luther King, survivors of identity-based violence, and activists more than ever. Genocide Awareness Month will be an easier time than ever for people to educate and inform themselves. From webinars, community discussions, and survivors’ accounts we can face history head-on and take up calls to action in the name of “Never Again.”

Dorene Hantzis is a TWR Youth Action Fellow and STAND representative.