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We the People

MLK, the Declaration, and the Constitution

We the People

National Constitution Center

News, News Commentary, History

4.6 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 20 January 2022

⏱️ 64 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The nation celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day this week, honoring what would have been his 93rd birthday. In this special episode of We the People, we examine King’s thinking about the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, as well as his views on agape and universal love, and more, through a close reading and analysis of some of his most significant speeches and writings. Joining host Jeffrey Rosen are two of the nation’s leading experts on civil rights and American history. William Allen is emeritus dean and professor of political philosophy at Michigan State University and Hasan Kwame Jeffries is associate professor of history at The Ohio State University, where he teaches courses on the civil rights and Black Power movements.  Speeches and writings discussed include: “An Experiment in Love,” A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches, by Martin Luther King Jr. (1958) King’s essay discussing the concept of agape and how it undergirds nonviolent resistance. “Pilgrimage to Nonviolence,” by Martin Luther King Jr. (1958) King’s essay explaining the intellectual and philosophical influences that led him to embrace agape and nonviolent resistance. “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” by Martin Luther King Jr. (April 16, 1963) King's seminal open letter — written from a jail in Birmingham, Alabama — on civil disobedience, justice, and the ethics of violating unjust laws. “I Have A Dream,” by Martin Luther King Jr. (August 28, 1963) King's iconic speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial about civil rights, freedom, and equality “Our God is Marching On,” by Martin Luther King Jr. (March 25, 1965) King’s speech at the conclusion of the marches from Selma to Montgomery “Beyond Vietnam,” by Martin Luther King Jr. (1967) King’s speech at New York’s Riverside Church condemning the Vietnam War “Where Do We Go From Here?” by Martin Luther King Jr. (1967) King’s speech on the future of the civil rights movement, given at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. The National Constitution Center relies on support from listeners like you to provide nonpartisan constitutional education to Americans of all ages. In honor of the 234th anniversary of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, every dollar you give to support the We the People podcast campaign will be doubled with a generous 1:1 match up to a total of $234,000, made possible by the John Templeton Foundation! Visit www.constitutioncenter.org/we-the-people to donate, and thank you for your crucial support. Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org. Continue today’s conversation on Facebook and Twitter using @ConstitutionCtr. Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate, at bit.ly/constitutionweekly.

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hello friends in honor of the 234th anniversary of the ratification of the US Constitution,

0:05.8

the National Constitution Center is launching an exciting crowd funding campaign.

0:10.2

Thanks to our friends at the John Teppleton Foundation every dollar you give to support we the people will be doubled with a generous one-to-one match up to a total of $234,000.

0:20.0

I'm thrilled to share that right now we have 443 donations from 47 states plus

0:27.1

Washington DC and the Northern Mariana Islands to international donations from

0:31.2

Switzerland and Israel for a total of $69,339.48.

0:38.0

That's nearly 30% of our goal.

0:40.0

We want to see all 50 states in our glorious union come together to support the show.

0:47.0

And we need donations from South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Wyoming.

0:52.4

If you are a listener in South Dakota, Oklahoma. Oklahoma and Wyoming.

0:52.5

If you are a listener in South Dakota, Oklahoma, or Wyoming, we'd be so grateful for a donation

0:58.3

of any amount, $5, $10 or more.

1:01.2

And remember, every dollar you give is doubled and signals the United

1:07.2

support of the United States of America for the We The People Podcast.

1:11.5

Please go to Constitution Center.org forward slash We The People Podcasts. Please go to Constitution Center.org

1:13.6

forward slash We The People, all on word, all lowercase.

1:17.0

Now, on to the show.

1:20.0

Hello friends, I'm Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National

1:26.6

Constitution Center and welcome to We the People, a weekly show of

1:30.3

constitutional debate. The National Constitution Center is a

1:33.7

nonpartisan nonprofit chartered by Congress to increase awareness and

1:39.2

understanding of the Constitution among the American people.

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