مارتین لوتر کینگ جونیور: آخرین مصاحبه و ساير گفتگوها

The Last Interview

by Martin Luther King Jr., سولماز دولت‌زاده (Translator)

دکتر مارتین لوتر‌کینگ جونیورِ کشیش در یاد و خاطرۀ ما استاد سخن و شاید الهام‌بخش‌ترین و جذاب‌ترین شخصیت قرن است. شخصیت او در سخنرانی «رؤیایی دارم» گیرا و در لغات «نامه‌ای از زندان بیرمنگام» قدرتمند ظاهر می‌شود. شخصیت مارتین لوترکینگ برجسته و تا ابد مثال‌زدنی است. بنابراین تعجب‌آور است که بخواهیم او را تا حد یک سخن‌پرداز یا مناظره‌کننده‌ای فروتن تقلیل دهیم. گفتگو با او چگونه است؟ آیا فی‌البداهه سخن می‌گوید؟ احتمالاً انتظار داریم در این مجموعه یک سری جملات معترضۀ طولانی و مغشوش، توقف‌های طولانی، تپق‌زدن‌های مکرر یا نظرات نسنجیده بخوانیم. اما کینگ به مهم‌ترین پرسش‌هایی که بشر با آن مواجه است پاسخ می‌دهد و کاستی‌هایی که در هر محاوره‌ای انتظار می‌رود، در این گفتگوها کمتر به چشم می‌خورد. در عوض بارها در این مجموعه مشاهده می‌کنیم که کینگ به بهترین شکل ممکن به هولناک‌ترین سؤالات پاسخ می‌دهد و گفتگویش از نظر جذابیت و متانت به سخنرانی می‌ماند و در عین‌حال از نظر تأثیر بر مخاطب طبیعی و آهنگین است.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, African American, Politics, Social Justice, Memoir, History

142 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 2017

About the author

Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the pivotal leaders of the American civil rights movement. King was a Baptist minister, one of the few leadership roles available to black men at the time. He became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–1956) and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (1957), serving as its first president. His efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. Here he raised public consciousness of the civil rights movement and established himself as one of the greatest orators in U.S. history. In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means.

King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a national holiday in the United States in 1986. In 2004, King was posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal.

Reviews

[Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains five interviews spanning 11 years from 1957 to 1968. Each interview is very different: one is King's advice column from Ebony magazine, another, King's interview with Robert Penn Warren, reads as if it's a conversation between two friends, and is a direct transcript of a recording (it marks interruptions, interjections, laughter, etc in the dialogue). The last interview from 1968, 10 days before his assassination, is set at a rabbinical convention. This interview is very speech-like; King's answers are much longer than in previous interviews because they were prepared beforehand. You get a good mix of reading King, thinking on his feet, and his more deliberate, polished responses. But regardless of the mode, you will read the words of a brilliant, smart person talking about the issues of the day: integration, interracial marriages, whether he is a sellout or moderate, busing, and his views on the Black nationalist movement.

[belljareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

weird to rate Martin Luther King Jr.'s interviews, like ... who am i to give my opinion on what this brilliant man had to say ?

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the greatest selection of MLK's interviews, but the last one was really interesting to me. I hadn't realized how involved the Jewish community was in the civil right movement.

[Laçin Tutalar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice selection for introducing MLK to newbies.

[Felicitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very eye opening book towards Negro segregation in the United States. It was specially appealing to me because, since the book is made up of interviews, it is written in first person which allowed me to clearly understand Martin Luther King Jr.'s point of view and ideas. These also showed a very clear parallelism to the feminist revolution going on currently which made the book even more relatable. I would really recommend this book because it is a great way to understand a revolutionary leader and his remarkable thoughts and wisdom.

[Matt Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of compelling ideas in a short and engaging volume.

[George Trudeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

King sought to end the threefold tyranny of war, racial discrimination, and poverty. It was Interesting to see the shift in the beginning where he mainly addressed segregation to the end of his activism where he mainly addressed poverty. It is clear to me that the next barriers of Civil Right was housing discrimination, education discrimination, and labor rights.

[Erick Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decided to check out some books of MLK, as in works or interviews or speeches of his, to read and reflect on. With so much of his legacy being rewritten to support ideas and movements today which are antithetical to what I remember being taught about him, I felt it was well past time to go straight to the horse's mouth and hear what Dr. King had to say about a variety of topics.

The first one I chose was the shortest book of the bunch, but which included a collection of interviews with MLK throughout his career. It was perfect as an appetizer of sorts, touching on issues ranging from the distinction between desegregation and integration, the roles of churches and public education in the movement, and even dating advice... sort of... in Ebony magazine back in 1958. He is always careful with his choice of words, and strives for clarity and, when possible, specificity.

What struck me the most was his insistence that full integration through non-violent militancy was the goal, but specifically integration into American mainstream society. King's insistence on full-fledged citizenship for "the new Negro" (as it was put early in the book) was unflinching. His criticism of Black nationalism was also evident, or anything that allowed someone to feel sorry for themselves and use others as scapegoats. I have more books to read... my goal is to read everything he ever wrote or said... but it's clear Dr. King was not a proponent of the woke so-called "anti-racism" of today.

Even as late as his last interview, given less than two weeks before his death, King warned about the possible negative effects of taking Black Power to the point of "replacing one tyranny with another." Though he believed them to be a minority of the movement at that time, he still noted "There are some who are color-consumed and they see a kind of mystique in being colored, and anything non-colored is condemned. We do not follow that course."

I'll eventually do a more in depth piece on all his work, comparing the real King to the co-opted versions we hear of, but as for this book I would easily recommend it to anyone interested in learning about Martin Luther King, Jr.

[Elliot Ratzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

MLK’s last interview was a question/answer session with rabbis at the Rabbinical Assembly ten days before his murder in Memphis. The rabbis sang “We Shall Overcome” in Hebrew, then Abraham Joshua Heschel gave him a rousing introduction calling him a prophet. That interview, which touches on his “poor people’s campaign”, his thoughts on anti-Semitism, Jewish economic power, the State of Israel, and Black Power advocates caps this short collection of interviews. This volume also includes his first interview, shortly after the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a never-before-published interview with Dan Rather, and a transcript of a mid-60s interview with Robert Penn Warren. What’s astounding, but not surprising, is the coherence of each of his answers: perfectly formed and polished paragraphs with the minimal static of a live interview. Unfortunately, the interviews aren’t annotated so if one doesn’t know the background events—the Selma March, James Meredith, etc.—one might be lost.

[Brent · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fascinating small anthology in this Last Interview series. In order to make it a book, you get more than the last interview, which inevitably captures Dr. King just before Poor People's Campaign and Memphis. The range is also fascinating, from interviewers Mike Wallace and (less succinctly) Robert Penn Warren, to a reprint of Dr. King's advice column (!)
Recommend reading a biography first, whether Parting the Waters: Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement 1954-63 Branch's trilogy, Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, JR., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference David Garrow, or another.
Mildly recommended.

[Aerandir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful interviews and conversations with Martin Luther King, especially his poignant and stil-timely last words, where he spoke about his vision to tackle poverty among people of all races an the purpose of non-violent but nevertheless militant (as in demanding and persistent) movement. Nevertheless, this is a very thin book and thee certainly is more material that could have been used.

Poverty is glaring, notorious reality...I guess it wouldn't be so bad for them if it were shared misery, but it is poverty amid plenty. It is poverty in the midst of an affluent society..." , MLK Jr, March 25th, 1968

[Randolf Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good introduction I think, to one of the most influential men of modern times. The style, direct transcripts of his conversations, gives an unvarnished view of his thoughts on the key topics of racism, activism and integration, topics that unfortunately are still all too relevant. Leaves the reader wanting to know more about the man, in a biographical sense and also wanting to dive deeper into his work on these topics. I couldn't help but try to recreate his Baptist, preaching style of speaking in my mind's voice when reading the text!

[Meghan L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to get to know MLK a little better. Everything he said is still so relevant. I was interested to read what his point of view was, because he said things about how he thought history would go, and he was right in some places, but things now are different than he thought they might be, too. I wonder what he would have to say about where our society is, now. I'm sure he'd still be fighting for the civil rights of all. How sad to have lost him, when our country still needs his voice, even so many years after his passing. He had so much wisdom and strength.

[Mary T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this during the week of MLK Day along with Why We Can’t Wait. I liked the format of this one and was again impressed with this man, even in casual conversation. I wish there were more excerpts from his advice column. And the interview with Robert Penn Warren was a little frustrating— lots of interrupting and confusing questions. This book has given me a more well rounded view of the Civil Rights Movement and MLK’s role in it. I looked at the other titles I this series because I like the premise, but the other people featured aren’t as interesting to me.

[Alireza Zamani · Rating 3 out of 5]

حس میکنم کتاب خوبی بود اما من اشتباه انتخاب کردم من میخواستم بيشتر درباره زندگی و فعالیت های کینگ بدونم ولی توی اکثر مصاحبه ها یکم وارد جزئیات ریز تاریخی میشه که کسی که زیاد تاریخ اون مقطع رو ندونه شاید یکم خسته کننده بشه به نظرم این کتاب زمانی مناسبه که اول یه شناخت مناسب از کینگ داشته باشیم بعدش بریم سراغ هرچند بازم چیزایی بود برای یاد گرفتن و استفاده.

[Sheila Guevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as eloquent as his prepared written speeches.

King speaks on the topics of where we are as American's and where we need to be.

After reading this, I wonder what he would think of today's political topics. How much progress have we made since 1968? There always seems to be such a long road ahead of us.

[Ema · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great collection of interviews. I can’t really review this since this is about the life and work of a real person. But what I can say is I like that I can read an interview over watching it. I don’t mind watching an interview but this actually helped me understand it from a different angle.

[ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

personally, i believe everyone should read this book. for events that occurred almost 60 years ago, these situations are so relevant to the events currently happening today. Dr. King is extremely well-spoken and explains things better than anyone i’ve ever heard. his eloquence was so incredibly powerful and encouraging. i will recommend this book to everyone i meet who reads!

[Olwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of an academic work I think, for scholars of Dr King's work. This book is verbatim recordings of interviews with Dr King just before his assassination. It also includes transcript from his personal guidance column in Ebony magazine, and reflects the beliefs of the time around relationships.

[Jordan | Just A Book Collection · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would've enjoyed this much more if the formatting wasn't so distracting. The only part of this book that was readable was the last chapter. Otherwise, I spent most of the book reading people interrupting each other and cutting each other off. There are much better Dr. King books out there.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a damn shame that not much has changed from the time of these interviews to today. I really enjoyed the final interview in this book. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke with such eloquence, insight, intelligence, and dignity. It was wonderful to read.

[Jenna Leann Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

Some interviews were featured that I wasn’t familiar with which was nice. Also great to read them in their entirety. Rev. King’s words are still highly relevant in today’s society making this book an important work.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good man.

[Luke Koskinen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I appreciate most about this book is that there is nothing added to it! It’s simple transcripts of some important interviews in MLK’s life!

[Sara Habein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for January. Sadly all-too-relevant today.

[Esther | lifebyesther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really eye opening to hear MLK in his own words. In this collection, King explains how nonviolence can still be militant (persistent and unyielding in its aims), predicts the shape of the civil rights movement in the future, and shuts down offensive questions with so much fire. The interviews in particular displayed his intelligence, savvy, and refusal to shy away from uncomfortable topics and call people out. Highly recommend.

[Nancy Lilly F · Rating 4 out of 5]

A phenomenal man, needless to say.

[Emily Weathers]

HIGHLY recommended reading, especially the last interview, especially these current days.

[Robert Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good insights

[Greg Potchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to get out of the habit of starting a book and then waiting days later to finish.

I really liked the book. It was simple enough to get into and stay interested in.