The Centered and Critical Scholar-Activism of Martin Luther King, Jr

This book investigates the often neglected research concerning Martin Luther King, Jr. and his scholar-activism. The focus is on finding evidence of intellectual leadership within King s writings in an effort to classify King within the Scholar- Activist paradigm in Africana Studies. Some of the most respected scholars in Africana Studies ascribe differing levels of status to King s contributions to African American history and to the field. Does King measure up to the Scholar-Activist...
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This book investigates the often neglected research concerning Martin Luther King, Jr. and his scholar-activism. The focus is on finding evidence of intellectual leadership within King s writings in an effort to classify King within the Scholar- Activist paradigm in Africana Studies. Some of the most respected scholars in Africana Studies ascribe differing levels of status to King s contributions to African American history and to the field. Does King measure up to the Scholar-Activist paradigm? If he does or does not, should the paradigm be expanded and redefined to include King? Does King s work support the case for inclusion? King s book-length writings demonstrate a consistency of themes, which include eight major foci:(1) Economic Justice;(2) Racial Equality;(3) Existentialism;(4)Social Activism;(5)Theology;(6)Revolution and Leadership;(7) Black Liberation and Ideology; and (8) Anti- Militarism. Keatts concludes that diversity of methodological approaches within Africana Studies is normal, that King meets all of the requirements for inclusion in the Scholar-Activist paradigm, and his writings should be considered for inclusion into the field.