The long arc of history bends towards justice
Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.
Rabbi Gunther Plaut was born in Germany and escaped to the United States in 1935, two years after the Nazi rise to power. He later immigrated to Canada, where he became rabbi at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto. In March 1963, at Rabbi Plaut’s invitation, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at Holy Blossom Temple. During his speech, Dr. King said, “Time is neutral. Time can be used destructively or constructively. We must help time and the time is right now.”
On this Martin Luther King Jr. day, we reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, and the work that remains to be done. However long the arc of history, we continue to bend it towards justice.
Voices from the Archive
Floyd Dade explains the racial segregation of battalions during World War II. He also describes his relations with white soldiers on the battlefield. World War II liberator William McKinney describes the need for communities to come together. Leon Bass, US military veteran, reflects on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and how he was inspired by King’s message of non-violence. Leon was at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963 for the March on Washington and he describes his experience of watching Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream,” speech. Paul Parks talks about witnessing the aftermath of the Holocaust and what it meant to his work in the civil rights movement, including his work with Martin Luther King, Jr. Floyd Dade explains the racial segregation of battalions during World War II. He also describes his relations with white soldiers on the battlefield.MLK Day
Floyd Dade on Civil Rights in America
William McKinney
Language: English
Liberator Leon Bass on being inspired by Martin Luther King Jr
Language: English
Language: English
Floyd Dade on Civil Rights in America
Language: English
Activities available on IWitness for educators
What's Going On?: https://iwitness.usc.edu/activities/2927?idiom=all
Sitting Down to Stand Up: https://iwitness.usc.edu/activities/2399?idiom=all
Representation & the Power of Words: https://iwitness.usc.edu/activities/2398?idiom=all
Meaning-Making / Racism: https://iwitness.usc.edu/activities/2397?idiom=all
1936 Olympics: Race, Politics & Civil Rights: https://iwitness.usc.edu/activities/292?idiom=all
Fighting in the Face of Racism: https://iwitness.usc.edu/activities/454?idiom=all
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