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MLK at 90: On King’s 90th birthday, five contemporaries offer perspective

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Dr. King’s tragic death here in Memphis on April 4, 1968 came when he was 39. He died as he lived: Absolutely committed to changing for the better factors that affect quality and length of life, particularly for African Americans.

Published

6 years ago

January 19, 2019

Oakland Post

By Sybil C. Mitchell, The New Tri-State Defender

The life expectancy at birth for an African American man born as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was in 1929, would have been about 47, according to Vol. 50, No. 6 of the National Vital Statistics Reports. For women, it would have been 49.

By contrast, the life expectancy for white men and white women would have been 60 and 64, respectively.

Dr. King’s tragic death here in Memphis on April 4, 1968 came when he was 39. He died as he lived: Absolutely committed to changing for the better factors that affect quality and length of life, particularly for African Americans.

Statistics suggest that while life expectancies have improved across the board for decades, deep rooted disparities remain. The five, ninety-something men and women interviewed by The New Tri-State Defender for this story acknowledged changes and remaining challenges when asked to reflect on the context of Dr. King.

Barbara Cooper

Barbara Cooper, 89

Tennessee House of Representatives (D-86)
Date of Birth: August 4, 1929

“In the five decades Dr. King has been gone, there have been so many wonderful achievements made by black people. He would have been thrilled to see African Americans achieving in every walk of life.

“He would have just been so pleased and proud – so excited… on that November night in 2008 when President Barack Obama became the first African American to be elected to the nation’s highest office. I can see him up in Washington calling President Obama his ‘son.’

“When it comes to our black youth killing one another, he would have been so dismayed. But then, I also think that had he lived, and had he remained here to shepherd the movement and mobilize our leaders and our youth, we would not have this widespread phenomenon of young black men and women killing each other.

“He would have guided us with his vision. There seems to be no vision for our children except locking them up. As we remember his legacy this month, we must be reminded that there is yet so much work to do. There is no time to sit down and rest when our children can’t read and have no way of competing in the future with their peers, unless we continue Dr. King’s work in serving and uplifting our community.”

Dr. James L. Netters

Dr. James L. Netters, 92

Mt. Vernon Baptist Church- Westwood, Pastor Emeritus
Date of Birth: September 10, 1927

“Of course, God has brought us through so many trials and challenges. We enjoy a quality of life that only existed back then in the imagination of Dr. King.

“I remember as a young preacher in 1963 going to Washington where Dr. King delivered his ‘I Have A Dream’ speech. I helped set up the stage as thousands and thousands of people gathered there at the Lincoln Memorial. We were setting up, and I remember sitting down at the back of the stage when he began speaking. I was riveted to that seat as he encouraged and uplifted us all.

“After that, I would have the opportunity to meet with him several times at his room in the Lorraine Motel. He would stay in that same room all the time. Of course, we marched along side of him during the Sanitation Strike.

“But before that time, it was in 1964, seven of us were inspired by Dr. King to stage a sit-in on the city bus. We were arrested, and they put me in the car with Jesse Turner (former national NAACP treasurer, Tri-State Bank president and Shelby County Commissioner). While we were in that police car, Jesse told me to pray, and I said:

“‘Lord Jesus, forgive these police officers for taking us to jail, for they know not what they do. They are arresting us because they want to maintain the status quo. But forgive them, Lord.’

“Then, one of the officers put his hand on his billy club and said, ‘OK, preacher, that’s enough.’

“Then I said very loudly, ‘And Lord, AMEN.’ Jesse and I would laugh about that for many years.

“But Dr. King’s dream is still alive, and I carry it, living in the dream, and it is still just as strong and as forceful as it was in 1963.”

Dr. Erma Clanton

Dr. Erma Clanton, Professor Emeritus, 95

University of Memphis
Date of Birth: February 5, 1923

“I was working on my master’s degree at the University of Memphis when he was assassinated. Like most young, African American people, we were inspired to give of ourselves in serving and helping others.

“I began teaching english and speech at Melrose High School in 1969. We had to be more than just teachers in the classroom. We were parents and counselors and nurturers of our students. Dr. King was driven by the vision of our children doing better than we did, each generation becoming more and more successful.

“As I moved to the University of Memphis and began teaching Theater and Communications, I tried always to create new opportunities for our children to act, to speak and to communicate effectively. Those were heady days when we performed all over the country versions of my original stage production, ‘An Evening of Soul.’

“Many students were the first to attend college, and on the high school level, some of those children had no dream of attending college after graduation. Those shows instilled a sense of pride and beauty in being ‘young, gifted and black,’ to use the words of a songwriter.

“I like to think that Dr. King would have loved those productions and what I was trying to do…”

Norvelle Sanders

Norvelle Sanders, 88

Member of Kappa Alpha Psi for 70 years
Date of Birth: December 5, 1930

“I was born in Yazoo City, Miss. My mother left me with my grandparents who lived in Memphis. She went up to Detroit to get a good job.

“I graduated from Fisk University, where I pledged Kappa. After graduation, I went up to Michigan to live with my mother. I stayed a few years, but then returned to Memphis in 1960.

“Back when Dr. King was involved in the civil rights movement, the Kappas as well as all the black Greek organizations stood with him. Organization of the marches and protests were coordinated through ministers and their churches.

“And so, there was a strong, Greek presence in Dr. King’s efforts and other civil rights leaders through the churches…

“Mr. Obama is the embodiment of Dr. King’s dream for future generations of black children. If his spirit was anywhere around the inauguration, he was leaping with joy.”

Opal Carpenter Mayfield

Opal Carpenter Mayfield, 90

Retired Teacher
Date of Birth: February 5, 1928

“…Dr. King had galvanized blacks all over the nation. We were left with his dream, and that helped to move us forward.

“My husband and I had six children. He died of cancer when they were very young. I raised them by myself, all six – four boys and two girls. All of them have masters and doctorate degrees.

“That day when Dr. King was killed, I believe we all realized that quitting was not an option, and failure was not an option. It was a sad day, and all we could do was pray.

“I taught school and retired after 30 years. … I believe all educators felt a duty and responsibility to guide and nurture our kids, not just in the classroom, but we had to teach them life lessons that would carry them through to adulthood.

“All of us were part of Dr. King’s legacy. We had to go on. We had to embrace the dream for all our children.”

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Remembering George Floyd

Published

3 days ago

May 25, 2025

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OP-ED: Oregon Bill Threatens the Future of Black Owned Newspapers and Community Journalism

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.

Published

4 days ago

May 23, 2025

Oakland Post

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
President and CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association

For decades, The Skanner newspaper in Portland, the Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium have served Portland, Oregon’s Black community and others with a vital purpose: to inform, uplift and empower. But legislation now moving through the Oregon Legislature threatens these community news institutions—and others like them.

As President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which represents more than 255 Black-owned media outlets across the United States—including historic publications like The Skanner, Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium—l believe that some Oregon lawmakers would do more harm than good for local journalism and community-owned publications they are hoping to protect.

Oregon Senate Bill 686 would require large digital platforms such as Google and Meta to pay for linking to news content. The goal is to bring desperately needed support to local newsrooms. However, the approach, while well-intentioned, puts smaller, community-based publications at a future severe financial risk.

We need to ask – will these payments paid by tech companies benefit the journalists and outlets that need them most? Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors, and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption, and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.

Legislation that sends money to these national conglomerate owners—without the right safeguards to protect independent and community-based outlets—rewards the forces that caused this inequitable crisis in the first place. A just and inclusive policy must guarantee that support flows to the front lines of local journalism and not to the boardrooms of large national media corporations.

The Black Press exists to fill in the gaps left by larger newsrooms. Our reporters are trusted messengers. Our outlets serve as forums for civic engagement, accountability and cultural pride. We also increasingly rely on our digital platforms to reach our audiences, especially younger generations—where they are.

We are fervently asking Oregon lawmakers to take a step back and engage in meaningful dialogue with those most affected: community publishers, small and independent outlets and the readers we serve. The Skanner, The Portland Observer, and The Portland Medium do not have national corporate parents or large investors. And they, like many smaller, community-trusted outlets, rely on traffic from search engines and social media to boost advertising revenue, drive subscriptions, and raise awareness.

Let’s work together to build a better future for Black-owned newspapers and community journalism that is fair, local,l and representative of all Oregonians.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President & CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association

Oakland Post

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Hate and Chaos Rise in Trump’s America

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Tactics ranged from local policy manipulation to threats of violence. The SPLC documented bomb threats at 60 polling places in Georgia, traced to Russian email domains.

Published

4 days ago

May 23, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The Southern Poverty Law Center has identified 1,371 hate and antigovernment extremist groups operating across the United States in 2024. In its latest Year in Hate & Extremism report, the SPLC reveals how these groups are embedding themselves in politics and policymaking while targeting marginalized communities through intimidation, disinformation, and violence. “Extremists at all levels of government are using cruelty, chaos, and constant attacks on communities and our democracy to make us feel powerless,” said SPLC President Margaret Huang. The report outlines how hard-right groups aggressively targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives throughout 2024. Figures on the far right falsely framed DEI as a threat to white Americans, with some branding it a form of “white genocide.” After the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, a former Utah legislator blamed the incident on DEI, posting “DEI = DIE.”

Tactics ranged from local policy manipulation to threats of violence. The SPLC documented bomb threats at 60 polling places in Georgia, traced to Russian email domains. Similar threats hit Jewish institutions and Planet Fitness locations after far-right social media accounts attacked them for trans-inclusive policies. Telegram, which SPLC describes as a hub for hate groups, helped extremists cross-recruit between neo-Nazi, QAnon, and white nationalist spaces. The platform’s lax moderation allowed groups like the Terrorgram Collective—designated terrorists by the U.S. State Department—to thrive. Militia movements were also reorganized, with 50 groups documented in 2024. Many, calling themselves “minutemen,” trained in paramilitary tactics while lobbying local governments for official recognition. These groups shared personnel and ideology with white nationalist organizations.

The manosphere continued to radicalize boys and young men. The Fresh & Fit podcast, now listed as a hate group, promoted misogyny while mocking and attacking Black women. Manosphere influencers used social media algorithms to drive youth toward male-supremacy content. Turning Point USA played a key role in pushing white nationalist rhetoric into mainstream politics. Its leader Charlie Kirk claimed native-born Americans are being replaced by immigrants, while the group advised on Project 2025 and organized Trump campaign events. “We know that these groups build their power by threatening violence, capturing political parties and government, and infesting the mainstream discourse with conspiracy theories,” said Rachel Carroll Rivas, interim director of the SPLC’s Intelligence Project. “By exposing the players, tactics, and code words of the hard right, we hope to dismantle their mythology and inspire people to fight back.”

Click here for the full report or visit http://www.splcenter.org/resources/guides/year-hate-extremism-2024.