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This is Fresh Air. I'm Tanya Mosley. And in a rare convergence of history and politics, today is both Martin Luther King Jr. Day and inauguration day. It's only the second time this has happened since MLK Day became a federal holiday. This juxtaposition of honoring a civil rights icon while swearing in a controversial president

creates a stark symbolic contrast, a collision of narratives that raises profound questions about

the state of Dr. King's dream in modern America. Joining me to talk about King's legacy

and what it means to have this day shared with Donald Trump is sociologist

and New York Times opinion columnist Tressie McMillan Cottom. She's a professor at the University

of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and author of Thick and other essays. Also joining me is Princeton

African American Studies professor and religion scholar Eddie Gl, Jr., who has authored several books.

Most recently, we are the leaders we have been waiting for.

Both are known for their insightful analysis of race, religion, and politics in the United States.

Tressie McMillan Cottom and Eddie Glead, welcome to fresh air. It's a pleasure to be here.

It's a delight to be with you. You know, Dr. Martin Luther King's daughter, Bernice King,

said that she's glad inauguration day happens to fall on MLK Day because it means that her dad is still

speaking to us. And I want to ask both of you

what you're reflecting on as we watch President-elect Donald Trump become the 47th president

of the United States. I'll start with you, Tressy. I'm reflecting on a lot of things this year,

which actually surprises me.

I have not found Donald Trump's re-election to be a moment that requires a lot of deep personal reflection.

Trump and Trumpism is exactly what it looks like.

But on Martin Luther King Day, I am thinking a lot about what has changed, because I do think it matters a

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