He Was Denied Old Age: Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. would have celebrated his 95th birthday tomorrow. Not an unusual event for folks these days, although, I have to state up-front, this is not true for Black men in America. Given who I am, I have to wonder what kind of “golden years” Martin Luther King, Jr. would have experienced, had he not been assassinated.
Would He Have Lived a Long Life?
MLK had found his purpose in life. He was doing important things. He was making a difference in people’s lives. He knew he was respected. While the work was challenging, it also was rewarding. Each of these things points to a successful transition to highly esteemed elder within the Black community, as well as a respected political influencer nationally. Maybe he would have run for office!
On the other hand, the stress that comes with all that and being in the public eye, takes a toll. And, given health statistics for African-American males, he most certainly would have been at risk for a stroke or heart attack.
Pitfalls of Power: The Myth of Monogamy
While it may be stereotypical to say, powerful men become enamored of their own achievements. They can find themselves believing in their own press, and succumbing to proclivities of a sexual, gambling, drug and/or alcohol nature. There is no denying Martin Luther King was a sinner.
In his older years, most likely he would have been dogged by reports of infidelity, and salacious posts would probably have been found on social media. Reporters on both the left and the right would have waited with baited breath as the FBI records were released. Spokespeople for Dr. King would have needed sound bites to drop on news media, social media, and give to influencers to counter the false narratives.
The Death Decade and Its Legacy
The early years of retirement for MLK would, most likely, have included speaking engagements around the world, biographies being written, projects started and endorsements given. Given his social standing, he would likely been offered seats on a variety of important Boards and Corporate Directorships. And with that would come the criticism and tearing down of an idol, as we would expect him to remain a humble Baptist minister.
In imagining what life as an aging adult would have been like for MLK, I can’t exclude the other important figures whose lives were ended by assassination in the 1960s: John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, and Robert Kennedy. Individually, each was charismatic and drove fundamental change across our social and political landscape. Collectively, a leadership void was left that has yet to be filled.
Withdrawing from the Public Eye
Eventually, (perhaps inevitably given the ageism in our nation), decision-making would have been handed over to younger, up-and-coming men and women. Appearances would change in frequency and venue. MLK would be asked to preach, but from smaller pulpits. He would be interviewed on 60 Minutes and asked to give inspirational speeches to graduating seniors.
He might write opinion pieces for major newspapers, or be seated in the audience at award ceremonies. His children would either be in the news because of bad things they did to sully the King name, or held up as examples to be followed.
Federal Holidays: What’s the Big Deal?
When MLK was growing up, folks who worked for the Federal Government worked five days a week, 52 weeks a year except for the following “holidays”: New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. They also got George Washington’s Birthday off, Labor Day, Columbus Day and Decoration Day. After World War II, Decoration Day got re-named to Veteran’s Day.
You’ll notice that except for a couple of Presidents and one explorer, all these holidays reflect social or historical events; not people! These holidays have been hard-won over the years, and to create a new one actually takes an act of Congress!
Why a Federal Holiday for MLK?
While he was without question a towering figure during his lifetime, that was not reason enough for a Federal Holiday to be created in MLK’s name. It took being assassinated. John Conyers (D-MI) founder of the Black Caucus, and one of the longest-serving representatives in Congress, first proposed the holiday in 1968. It did not pass. Opposition, dragging of feet, and outright racism delayed passage of the bill.
It was introduced every year thereafter for 15 years, until Ronald Reagan reluctantly signed it into law October 13, 1983. Reagan was quoted, “I would have preferred a non-holiday in King’s honor but since they seem bent on making it a national holiday, I believe the symbolism of that day is important enough that I will sign that legislation when it reaches my desk.” A rousing endorsement if ever there was one!
We Still Don’t Know What to Do with MLK
MLK held a mirror to the racist beliefs of too many Americans during his lifetime. In death, faced with honoring the man who was martyred in the cause of equality and social justice, he continues to hold that mirror showing just how deep our racism goes. State after state refused to observe the holiday, and now, in 2024, it is still not universally observed in all 50 states.
Today the holiday is a collection of approximations. According to Wikipedia, “Some municipalities hold parades, and since the 1994 King Holiday and Service Act, it has become a day of citizen action volunteer service, sometimes referred to as the MLK Day of Service. The holiday is observed on the third Monday of January, and is combined with other holidays in several states.”
Breaking News: The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Died Today at 95.
How would we read his obituary if he had lived this long? For those of us who grew up in the tumultuous days of the Civil Rights Movement and the Viet Nam War, memories of marches, idealism, hope, and commitment to social change could bring smiles to our face.
It would be difficult not to look back with some regret that we did not get more accomplished. Undoubtedly, it would also bring up sadness and a sense of futility that even with all the changes we thought we had secured, our current climate suggests it was built on sand.
Coverage of the funeral of a 95-year-old former preacher would probably not be more than the final story on the evening news.
“Finally tonight, Martin Luther King, Jr. was laid to rest in Atlanta. He had once been the leader of the Civil Rights Movement and secured huge gains for voter’s rights and equality for African Americans. He lived to see these rights being undermined by a resurgence of racism across the country. He would have turned 95 on January 14, 2024.”
Carrying the Legacy: Wise Elders Among Us
MLK did not live to see his wisdom years unfold. He will forever be frozen at the age of 39, seeing the promised land in the future. We, however, lived to see the gains he was denied. I believe we who marched with him during those times remain committed to the principles of non-violence.
And now we are the legacy-holders. It is up to us to remind the generations that follow of the work that has been done, the foundations for peace and equality that were laid, and most of all, make true the words MLK spoke in 1968, “We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”