Plagiarism, preaching and prophecy: the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the persistence of racism.

This article discusses three books on Martin Luther King's views on plagiarism, preaching and prophecy. The books are "The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr.," vol.2, "Rediscovering Precious Values, July 1951-November 1955," edited by Clayborne Carson, "The Preacher King: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Word That Moved America," by Richard Lischer, and "Racism in the Post-Civil Rights Era: Now You See it Now You Don't," by Robert C. Smith. The most significant consequence of Black Power politically was the way it bolstered a hostile conservative white coalition. The problems of crime, education, employment, health and housing that disproportionately affect African Americans do so largely because of racism. However, a separatist rhetoric and movement will not secure the redistribution of power and resources needed to alleviate this situation. This requires a King-like appeal to universalist values alongside mass action. It is perhaps because Smith recognizes that Wilson's stance is politically the best available that he offers no alternate vision. However, when the young King couched his prospectus for racial progress in realistic terms in early 1955, he did not mention non-violent direct action.