I May Not Get There with You: The True Martin Luther King Jr

by Michael Eric Dyson

Book Overview

Michael Eric Dyson--a cutting edge African American intellectual a la Henry Louis Gates and Cornel West--reignites the legacy of Martin Luther King in this relevant, revolutionary, and human look at the American icon's true ideology.

A private citizen who transformed the world around him, Martin Luther King, Jr., was arguably the greatest American who ever lived. Now, after more than thirty years, few people understand how truly radical...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 068483037X
• ISBN13: 9780684830377
• Release Date: February 2001
• Publisher: Free Press
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 0.93 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

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I find it very refreshing when a product of multiculturalism throws a wrench in the system and violently turns against his masters. In this provocative (though unsurprisingly silenced) work of pop scholarship college diversity program poster-child and hip hop "expert" Eric Dyson sets to work on deconstructing the white-washed image of Martin Luther King, Jr. that the American left has successfully promoted without opposition for the past four decades. But wait a minute, Martin Luther King Jr. was an American patriot, someone who was deeply devoted to the ideals of its Founding Fathers and simply wanted to tinker with a few of the more archaic aspects of American society (Jim Crow) so that everyone could at least have a fair shot at the American Dream. I must admit that up until a few months ago I was captured (more like poisoned) by this ridiculous myth, probably more so than most even. The story of King's life seemed so inspiring, who wouldn't want to believe in it? Turns out pretty much everything taught about MLK in public schools are at best half truths and all of the most hideous aspects of his life go completely unmentioned. As Dyson tells us, the truly radical aspects of King's ideology - such as his close association with the American Communist Party - are silenced specifically to keep African Americans in check. Undoubtedly, but these facts are suppressed specifically to keep suspicious whites in a state of unthinking, unquestioning silence as much as anyone else. Dyson didn't have to dig very much to uncover this information, even King's closest associates and biggest financial backers were Communists. Dyson also quotes some of King's most damaging speeches and interviews on economics that leave little doubt about what King's larger social and economic objectives actually were. "Oh, gee willickers!," the multiculturalist will scream, tearing the hair from his head, "You've got it all wrong - King only promoted the positive aspects of Communism." Well that all depends on just what you think the "positive" aspects of Communism really are. Let's see, King patently endorsed the redistribution of wealth, destruction of the military, labor's seizure of private business, abolition of private property...oh but don't worry, no Gulags! Predictably the trail of putrid scandal doesn't end there. In what has become a recurring theme amongst American leftists King possessed a voracious and positively uncontrollable appetite for cheap prostitutes. The point in mentioning this type of degenerate behavior at all is so Dyson can tie King's participation in the Civil Rights movement to the anti-objectivity counter-revolution that occurred subsequently thereafter. Here as well King was quite an active critic of the military (not JUST Vietnam), did interviews with pornographic magazines, generally did everything in his power to undermine sensible restraints wherever they existed, and ensured that a whole generation was indoctrinated in

Fascinating

I have always been fascinated with Dr. King as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. I love the work that Dr. Dyson did in writing this book, because he is authentic in talking about Dr. King the man - strengths, weaknesses and all - while exposing the myths about him. Being African-American, I can understand why many within our community woud want to scold Dr. Dyson for exposing Dr. King's dirty laundry. I, however, consider it not only essential, but relevant that we talk about the true humanity of our leaders (espcially one as esteemed as Dr. King) to avoid the danger of us elevating them as idols. It is a great reminder that God uses people (albeit flawed people) for magnificent works in a fallen world. This is a great book that I highly recommed!!

Outstanding! Insightful! A surprisingly quick read.

Mr. Dyson does an outstanding job of deeply analyzing the myths of MLKJr. No book I've read provides the kind of objective insights into the framework of black/white race relations. This would almost be a dry academic study of the topic if Mr. Dyson's writing wasn't so passionate and lively. A GREAT!

POWERFUL BOOK!

REV MICHAEL ERIC DYSON Is a Great Writer & A MAn of Many Words & REflections.This Book is Very POWERFUL & On POINT.MR.DYSON COMES CORRECT HERE In ACKNOWLEDGING THE POWER OF DR.KING & THE HUMAN SIDE OF DR.KING.DR.KING TO MY EARS IS THE VOICE OF AMERICA PAST & PRESENT.HIS WORDS & VISION are still the Path to Follow.This Book makes You Look at Dr.KING In FULL VIEW.VERY POWERFUL BOOK.

"An incredible journey thru American history.."

Dr. Dyson presents a side of history that truly exemplifies what he terms America's, "cultural amnesia." As we come to the end of celebrating another King Holiday, the sanitization of his [King] legacy is artfully critiqued by Dyson. Providing the reader an alternative lens, Dyson's propositions takes you on a journey which may--as it did me-- force you to confront deeply-rooted ideologies about King and the civil rights era. This lens guided my journey from admiring him solely as civil rights revolutionary to new paths of understanding including his beliefs about socialism, the Viet Nam War, and woman's rights. A must read for those seeking new insights about King's multi-faceted and intriguing public / private persona.