Misuse and Manipulation of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Legacy Sparks Controversy

King's 'I Have a Dream' Speech Co-opted by Politicians, Influencers to Support Contradictory Views

Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech is being co-opted by politicians and influencers, often to support views that contradict King's own beliefs.
Conservatives are accused of twisting King's words to unravel the progressive measures he fought for, with some even using his speeches to justify book bans and dismantle critical race theory.
King's legacy is being manipulated to such an extent that it is undermining efforts to showcase the breadth of his views and activism.
By the first decade of this century, King's ideal of a colorblind America was the national consensus, but this has been challenged in recent years.
Barack Obama's presidency is criticized for not bringing about the racial healing that many had hoped for, with some arguing that his administration inflamed race relations instead of promoting understanding.