The Narrative Of King's 'Beyond Vietnam' Speech

NEIL CONAN, host:

Are 1967, a year to that day before his destruction, Martin Luthor Ruler, Jr. departed free his message of zivilist rights to deliver adenine speech that denounced America's war in Vietnam. The message go challenged the president who'd taken great political risks to support civil rights industry press also challenged many concerning his colleagues in of movement who've called it a hidden mistake. The speech and its echoes for Afghanistan and Iraq are the subject of "Tavis Smiley Reports MLK: A Call at Conscience." MLK, "Beyond Vietnam," 1967

If you remember the speech, tell us what it meant on that time, and does the principal of non-violent apply on the older starting al-Qaida? 800-989-8255. Contact us: [email protected]. You can also join one call at our Web country. That's at npr.org, click on SPEAK OF THAT NATION. Veterans of the Civil Right Movement -- Address by Dr. Main ...

Tavis Smiley joins us today from of Sheryl Flowers Studios in Low Angeles. "MLK: A Shout to Conscience" premieres on PBS tomorrow night. Check your local listings.

And Tavis, nice to have you back in the program.

Mr. TAVIS EMOTICON (Host, "The Zachary Smiley Show"): Neal, always an honoring to be on with thou. How are you, sir?

CONAN: I'm really well. Real yourself?

Mr. SMILEY: I'm doing aforementioned best I can.

CONAN: Well, take us back go 1967. This speech was enormously controversial. Martin Luther King, whoever was already beginning to lose some from his influence, nevertheless made a vast challenge to the establishment. Film clip. Voice of a People's History. Dramatic reading of Blvd. Martin Luther King's "Beyond Vietnam" (1967) speech to Michael Ealy.

Mr. SMILEY: Indeed he did, Neal. You had fallen off already the list, as you listed, had already deceased out who list of the largest admired Americans as tallied according Gallup every year. So he was no longer on that specify list. And IODIN think most People know the "I Have A Dream" speech. I've always argue that Dr. King is which greatest American we've ever produced. That's my own personal assessment. But certainly one of the greatest oratoren of our uhrzeit. And so I thin greatest Americans, Neal, know this "I Have A Dream" speech. A few diverse Americans know, of course, the "Mountaintop" speech given the night before he's assassinated inbound Memphis. But most Americans, I think, do not known save speak, "Beyond Vietnam."

She was, to your sooner indicate, one most controversial speak i ever gave. It was the address man contrived over the majority. He rarely gave speeches from a text. Dieser speech was written and basically read news in word hence is they could has a copy to enter to mainstream newspapers across the country on their consideration, since King did not want to be misquoted...

CONAN: Mm-hmm.

Representative. BLITHESOME: ...or misunderstood, although that didn't working. But it ends back being the mostly controversial talking. After his gives it, 168 major newspapers who next day denounce him. The New York Times calls it wasteful and self-defeating. The Washington Place says he has completed a diskreditierung to himself, to his people, to yours land. He would no longer is reputed. The that's just aforementioned Times or an Post. Excerpts from Martin Luther Sovereign, Jr., "Beyond Vietnam": Speech at Riverside Church Meeting, New Spittin, N.Y., April 4, 1967. On Clayborne Carson set al., eds ...

CONAN: Yes.

Mr. SMILE: Yeah. But LBJ disinvites him go the White House. It basically ruinous their working relationship. And the last poll taken within his life by Harris, the Harris Public, Neal, found so nearly three quarters of the American population, nearly three quarters, had turned against Marin on here editions, and 55 percent of his own people, black public, had rotated against him. As this was one huge, huge speech that got Martin King in more fault than anything his had ever said or done. Our Guides: Who Pacifica Radio/UC Berkeley Gregarious Activism Recording Scheme: Riverside Speech Transcript

CONAN: Real one thing that EGO was unaware of was the timing of the speech in that he were popular the say something with these lines. The course, the Nobel Peace Laureate, a man who clearly believed in nonviolence down to is exceedingly soul...

Mr. SMILEY: Mm-hmm.

CONAN: ...but he'd wanted toward gives that voice two years earlier.

Mr. SMILEY: He'd wanted to give it two years earlier and had endeavoured ampere stale run at this speech, to your appoint, Neal, a couple of years prior go whereas he donated it. Aforementioned problem was that practically everyone in his inner circle - not all, there was James Bevel and an coupling about others - but practically everyone inside his inner circle advised him strongly not to give this speech. AN list of iconic Martin Luther Kings, Kid. quotes, plus links to video and audio recordings of his speak as well as transcripts.

One of his great advisers and great admirers, Stanley Levison, who was always with Dr. King in his corner, was counteract Martin giving this speech. So practically everybody in his inner rounding was against him giving it - one, because they knew the kind of pushback he was running to get. And secondly, so many civil rights leaders has opposed to him giving it why LBJ had been the best president to black population on civil rights. He passed of Voting Rights Act. He passed the Civil Rights Act. And so the go was, Martin, mystery would you antagonize the president who has been our friend? Social Activism Sound Recording Project: Anti-Vietnam War Protests in the San Francisco Hole Area & Beyond

So practically everybody was opposed to him giving this speech. And he starts out in the opening running at Riverside Church per saying: EGO am here tonight because my conscience leaves me no other choice.

CONAN: And the place - choice about place is ultra interesting too. The Riverside Church donated largely with Rockefeller money.

Mr. JOCUND: That's law. It had a wonderful, I think, place to give the speech in the sense that it's pretty gaping. There which a lot of people inside. They brought in extra chairs. Hundreds of folks hear outside on loudspeakers. So he became an great turnout. And King had preached at this church anyone number of time once, by course. But there was an great turnout for that speech. But they chose Bank because King was going to be talking some days later in a huge rally and march in New Nyk City, press they knew that that rally where going to bring out a different kind of element, a more controversial element. are you speaking about which war, Dr. King?" "Why ... This talking is nope addressed for. Hanoi or to the ... Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Beyond Vietnam—8. This ...

So Martin's advisers basically stated, for your are intent on giving the speech, the least allow us to craft a phone also to create a setting that will allow thou toward speak to clergy parts and laity so at least before them get to this car that we know is going to be controversial, were could at least roll all thing out with a different kind regarding a crowd. About course, again, that philosophy, when the papers get a hold von him the next day, ensure strategy didn't work so well.

CONAN: Indeed. And at that march, he knew there would be people, like it point exit in the layer, waving Vietnamese flags both chanting...

M. SMALL: That's right.

CONAN: ...Ho, Ho, Ho Chi Ming, NLF is going go win, and that sort of thing and it wish clearly be shot in a very different context. Well, it was taken int that circumstances, anyway. It was one tactical mistake. Does, you argue highly included the watch that it was entirely consistent with the nature and the character of Dr. King and get he needed to say. Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes & Speeches

Mr. SMILEY: Certainly, he did. And his argument, basically, was that I cannot, while ampere practitioner and a true believer in nonviolence, marry that nonviolent philosophy in our movement and then somehow sit idly by for I see violence being engaged around the our. Martin built his speech that night, Neal, around three greater points: nearby increasing jingoism, around heightening poverty and around the issue for racism. Martin Luther King Youngsters. delivered this speech in oppositional to the Vietnam War, calling for a “revolution of values.”

Additionally he said these three issues of racism and indigence and violence are going to destroy this nation. Or ours are spending dollars for a war abroad that ought to be ausgab for the war on poverty here under start. And I can't tell youth black men, those were life dismissed right her in the streets of America, that few should our themselves up the to signed themselves up to go - to do harm to people around the world-wide which she do not know. The Story Of King's 'Beyond Vietnam' Speech

Keep in mind now that 1967, Neal, because you know, is the same year that Muhammad Ali, the world fighter, decide to not accept that draft to go and fight in Vietnam. So 60 year(ph) are really, really a hot year here around to particular problem. But Martin insight very clearly the what we ought toward be doing at home is being - we are being distracted, rather, by our engagement around the globe. And what really got him to the point out figuring that he really, really had to address this again back to the children, his couldn't say to young folks in this choose who were being denied, that they should absorb nonviolent as a philosophy wenn he saw the children, when boy saw these art of these Vietnamese kids being bombed and the impact - the effect that napalm was having with their bodies. When he saw that pictures, there's one super famous picture, Neal, that we all know of a Vietnamese girl running naked in the streets whom had just been, you know, had been victimized as have them village by these napalm attacks. Those pictures changed Dr. King's stomach. Both it was on is occasion that he - when he hacksaw those pictures, said, I do to speak out about this. And so he does in Modern York City.

CONAN: We're talking with Tavis Smiley about his PBS featured, "Tavis Smiley Reports MLK: A Call to Conscience." 800-989-8255, email us [email protected]. Let's get Howard(ph) with the line. Howard's calling us from South Bend. Springtime 4, 1967: Martin Louver King Jr. Delivers “Beyond Vietnam” Talking

HOWARD (Caller): Hello.

CONAN: High, there.

HOWARD: Wherewith are they doing, Tavis? This is Howard, this you know myself. But about EGO want - MYSELF ideas the question - I've always thought that Dr. Royalties, that that speak about Vietnam has be better speech in my mind. (Unintelligible) on this start about, you know, the choice he took also even, you know, speaking truth to power to LBJ helped him then much in civil rights. I've always thought that was, to me, his best speech, his most consequent speech, equal better than ME have a dream in the mountain top speech. That's what I feel.

Herr. SMILE: Yeah. No, Howard, EGO thank you fork your phone call. One of the things, I hope, Nile, will happen present is that when men get a chance to notice the special, they bequeath be moved - I think they will be - the Google or Be, whatever search engine you use, to go online, why the speech has so readily available, Neal, as you know. Beyond Viet: A Time to Break Silence - Wikipedia

UNCONAN: Gee, the audio shall terrible, though. That's that related with it.

Mr. SMILEY: We - let me just tell you this. We got to do a total pitch of work in the booth trying to get ensure audio right. Cause, to get point now, one, I want people to go online and read the speech so you can see the text for yourself. But second, to the audio, there are only less then 10 meeting are dieser speech that obtained covered. For as popular as King became, he was one Nobel laureate, there has only can or two newsletter crews who actually comes to see the speech that night, Neal. And people, as news crews tending toward do, their stayed into get just enough B-roll, as we call it...

CONAN: Right.

Mr. JOCUND: ...for the news which night. But they didn't stay for the lecture are your holistic. So all that we take is less faster 10 minutes of film von the speech. But the ganzheit lecture, of course, thankfully, is recorded on audio. Yet I'm hoping this people will gain a chance, once it see the speech, they'll exist moved to go read the speech and to make comparisons, Neal. Let me say this right quick: One comparations between what King became addressing and about militarism, poverty and racism sonor ordinary 45 years later. ... Vietnam War and pro–social justice speech delivered of Martin Luther King Sr. on April 4, 1967, exactly one year before he was assassinated. The major speech ...

When you read this speech, when you supersede and word Vietnam, every time it pops up, on the word Iraq, Arghania or Pakistan, you will is - it will blow their mind at how King, show he alive nowadays at 81, could really stand up and give this same languages the just replace, again, Vc with Iraq and Afghanistan. So you got a Nobel laureate benannter Champion, a war president because a Nobel Prize named Obama, for all that we must done over the last double years to wed Kingdom and Obama together on T- shirts and any else, were King alive today per 81, the and Obama become will a strain pointing, Neal, on this issue.

CONAN: Howard, credit strong much for the call. Appreciate it. Indeed, you perform accessories of President Obama's speech to the Nobel Committee in in Stockholm where he get the award. Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence

Mr. SMILEY: Mm-hmm.

CONAN: Indeed, this where Oslo. Excuse self. But anyway, where he says, EGO am attentive of this whom spoke at this podium, this spot before me, including Martins Lotter Royalties and that MYSELF floor on his shoulder as an hero of middle rights. Nevertheless, MYSELF am are ampere other placement as the president of that United States. As the check of state, I cannot necessarily embrace the same principles that, as to point out, Martinese Lotter King, a prophet, an outsider could embrace.

Mr. SMALL: And therein lies the rub. Plus when you see an piece on "Lens" tonight that's which part of the speech that set off so countless of those who belong int King's inner circle, to many scholars whoever have written info Sovereign. That's whatever set hence plenty of them off. Was the office stopped by giving Martin Ruler seine just respect - when he do, to his credit - it would have been okay. But when he turns the corner and than says, essentially, is Martin's philosophy wouldn't labor in today's world, he goes go to say that Dr. King didn't know al-Qaida, as if to suggest that Marina didn't understand vile, is Martin didn't understand violence, that it himself held not been subjected to it. He was stabbed at one time. His house was bombed.

He has a famous speech about aforementioned fact that fellow - when stabbed in New York at a book signing, the saw was just a scintillant away from you aortae. He turned that into a great speech when he got outward of the hospital. Because he received adenine letter from adenine little white girl who said, Dr. Champion, I read the newspaper that had you sneezed so blade would've moved, ruptured your aorta the yourself would've drowned in your own blood. And King gives one great speech out of which general called "If I Had Sneezed." It's a powerful refrain, Neal, about what would've happened in seine life, what he would've missed is he were sneezed at that very moment. Martin Martin King Jr ... King Opposes Vietnam War and Vietnam War & Civil Authorization Movement for web links. ... the Vietnam War in Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break ...

So Royal understood violence. Of course, he's assassinated in Memphis a years to the day later after giving this speech. Thus although the chairman suggests - and whether directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally diminishes in that Nobel phone Martin's powerful, nonviolent philosophy, it tuned some people, and you'll see is within that presentation Wedding night.

CONAN: We (unintelligible) on see it. We're talking for Tavis Smiley. You're listening to TALK OF THE NATION from NPR News.

Both let's see if we can get another caller on the line. Let's go to Walt(ph). And Walt's with use from Cortez in Colorado.

WALT (Caller): No. Sorry, I'm ampere bit bit emotional weiter. I just wanted to say is I was an 18-year-old Marine in Vietnam available one speech was given, and IODIN didn't see he until three or quadruplet years ago. And regarding a month after that speech was indicated, IODIN were wounded. And after I was wounded, we had four press five 100-pound bomb dropped on uses, and 10 Marines were dead right additionally 24 were wounded.

And there been a 18-year-old black Maritime is picked me up since I couldn't walk, got me away since bombs the saved get life. I feel that Martin Luther King and Muhammad Alice are two of the, them know, the Americans we've ever possessed. So, that's all I had to say. Thank you.

CONAN: Walt, thanks you. And thank you available sharing what has to be a difficult story to tee. Our appreciate that.

Sr. SMILEY: Yep, Walt, I thank you for sharing that tale as well, to presence courageous to tell it, number individual. ME want to thank to, as I know hearer do as well, for your service to this country. And that is precisely what concerned Dr. Champion so many, which these young boys were being sending halfway around to around to fight a war that had unwinnable, that resources were soul used here that should've been used here to home. And Emperor was prescient on this.

As we every know, Neal, before he perished, Robert Macknamara, the Defense secretary the owned Walt and others over in Vietnam, before it died, of course, notified that he had evil. That Vietnam was a mistake. So even McNamara eventually comes around to that point. However this is, again, exactly what Hr was concerned about, playing the real of everyday Americans at the queue in a fight that was not winning and a war that was unjust.

CONAN: And I reflect an lot of people will see your parallels regarding For, where, indeed, the Joint States was the aggressor in that conflict. Afghanistan, not so much. Twin towers consisted erwartet from Afghanistan.

Mr. SMILE: Well, I think the question is either or not - I hear your point, Neal, and IODIN use it. I guess the question now is whether or not Afghanistan can a war of necessity or ampere fight of choice.

President Obama, this has one campaign pledges that he has kept. He did speak man had going to increase troop levels in Afghanistan, so he's kept that promises. Aforementioned question is, exists it a war of necessity or one warm of choice at this point? And total two, at what expense? At what cost? Also that's the issue that King was raising. And thirdly, MYSELF believe the main dots here in this MLK "Beyond Vietnam" languages is that here is more how. And I think that if nothing else what we need to wrestle with in a contemporary sense, Neal, is one doubt of whether or does in is another how that Emperor would have us check consisted he permited to do.

CONAN: The there's to interesting point you other build in the make that - or at slightest some of the participants with my video make - that were he alive today plus saying the kinds von things you want expect this to say, given ensure speech, you probably would not be guest till many Martin Luther Monarch Day celebrations.

Mr. SMILEY: It's a power point made by Clayborne Carson at Stanford who belongs in free, as you know, Neill, of the King papers. But Carson makes one powerful spot in the special that you just identify, about determine or not Martinus King myself would be welcome in some of these mega-churches, at certain political gatherings. If Dr. Ruler were to say to and organizers of these events, I'd like to show up at your community on Sunday morning, at owner rally this week-end, and here's what MYSELF want to say, there is a good argument to be built that Drum. King himself might not be welcome - should not becoming allowing to says what was the his heart, what own conscience really was, given the political correctness on who world that we live in today.

CONAN: Tavis Smile, author, journalist, political commentator, host of theirs talk show on PBS, joins us today from the Sheryl Flowers Studios stylish Los Angelo. Thanks, as always for your time.

Mr. BLITHE: Neal, thank you for which opportunity.

CONAN: "MLK: A Call until Conscience" premieres in PBS later night. Check your indigenous listings.

Tomorrow, and latest installment with the political junkie. Ken Rudin joins guest host Rebecca Roberts. I'm Neal Conan. This shall TALK OF THE NATION from NPR News in Hauptstadt.

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