Chennai: The historic speech by the legendary Martin Luther King in 1959, at the prestigious Presidency College here, on civil liberties and the unity between white and black Americans are relevant today, as it was 58 years back.
Speakers participated in the African-American history month, organised by the US Consulate, in partnership with the Presidency College reminisced Dr Martin Luther King Jr and American Civil Rights Movement.Speaking about the significance of African- American History Month, U.S. Consulate General, Chennai’s Cultural Affairs Officer, Eric Lund said, “It’s a privilege to commemorate Dr Martin Luther King Jr at the Presidency College, the exact institute where he addressed Chennaiites in 1959, on the civil rights movement in the United States. He spoke on the power of nonviolence and civil disobedience, as a means to engage the opposition in order to end racial segregation and discrimination against African-Americans.”
Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophies, he felt that the need for change on various issues in America. He wanted non-violent resistance on the legal racial segregation in the US. He was introduced as an untouchable, who had come to speak about the social problems in the US, added Eric.
African-American History Month is being observed by the United States government, every year since 1976. This evolutionary movement was an inspiration for many later movements concerning race, women, LGBTQ.
In a proclamation, Trump issued a statement, “The contributions African-Americans have made and continue to make are an integral part of our society, and the history of African-Americans exemplifies the resilience and innovative spirit that continue to make our Nation great.”
“It is important for the US and India to have an exchange of ideas. Martin Luther King learnt from Gandhi’s philosophy. Many people had different ideas on how to fight for rights, but he thought civil disobedience would catch the attention of the lawmakers,” Eric mentioned.
