Message to the Colonial Freedom Movement, memorial to MLK Jr.
Item
Title
Message to the Colonial Freedom Movement, memorial to MLK Jr.
Contributor
Long, C.
Creator
Bertrand Russell
Date
May 3, 1968
Format
jpg
Identifier
Bertrand Russell Archives, Box 9.15, Doc. 148751a
Language
eng
Rights
McMaster University
Source
Bertrand Russell Archives
Type
Text
Text
Message from Bertrand Russell to the Meeting on May 3, 1968 for the late Dr. Martin Luther King
Dr. Martin Luther King was a courageous man who was assassinated because of his active opposition to American racism. This racism expresses itself forcibly both in America and abroad. In America, black people are forced to live in ghettos unfit for human beings and are systematically deprived of their share in the nation's enormous wealth. Abroad, the war in Vietnam is fought brutally against a people whom Lyndon Johnson has described as "yellow dwarves with pocket knives".
We in Britain can help to prevent further assassinations of black American leaders by opposing vigorously both the further development of racism in Britain and the unspeakable war which our government has supported in Vietnam. Our government has covered itself in shame in supporting the United States whilst pretending not to do so. If we mourn the death of Dr. King whilst failing to denounce our own evil leaders we ensure the development of racism and the death of British socialism.
Bertrand Russell
Dr. Martin Luther King was a courageous man who was assassinated because of his active opposition to American racism. This racism expresses itself forcibly both in America and abroad. In America, black people are forced to live in ghettos unfit for human beings and are systematically deprived of their share in the nation's enormous wealth. Abroad, the war in Vietnam is fought brutally against a people whom Lyndon Johnson has described as "yellow dwarves with pocket knives".
We in Britain can help to prevent further assassinations of black American leaders by opposing vigorously both the further development of racism in Britain and the unspeakable war which our government has supported in Vietnam. Our government has covered itself in shame in supporting the United States whilst pretending not to do so. If we mourn the death of Dr. King whilst failing to denounce our own evil leaders we ensure the development of racism and the death of British socialism.
Bertrand Russell
