Martin Luther King is a larger-than-life character in the American narrative, playing a pivotal role in the nation’s mid-twentieth-century Civil Rights Movement. His “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC in August of 1963 as part of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom is an integral part of Americans’ understanding of him and the Civil Rights Movement. However, talking about receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 he said, “I am a minister of the gospel, not a political leader”, suggesting there is more, much more, to him than “I have a dream.” This podcast episode is going to explore the religion of Martin Luther King, what it was, how it formed him, inspired him, burdened him, and animated him.
Today’s guest who will help us do this, is Paul Harvey, Distinguished Professor History and Presidential Teaching Scholar at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. He researches, writes, and teaches in the field of American history from the 16th century to the present. Paul is the author of Martin Luther King: A Religious Life, Howard Thurman and the Disinherited: A Religious Biography, Christianity and Race in the American South: A History, and Bounds of Their Habitation: Religion and Race in American History. He received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.
The Making of US: Lived Religion in America with Debbie Richards Johns
Religion and the Great Depression, Part I
The Religion of Thomas Jefferson
The Making of US: Lived Religion in America with Kristy Nabhan-Warren
Religion and the Life and Work of Charles Schulz
Special Edition: The War in Gaza
The History of Christian Nationalism
Religion’s Voice During Three American Wars
Religion & the American Presidency: Jimmy Carter
Religions’ Role in Refugee Resettlement - Part 2
Religions’ Role in Refugee Resettlement - Part 1
Religions’ Role in Native American Boarding Schools
What Have America‘s Clergy Told Us During Times of National Tragedy?
The Making of US: Lived Religion in America with Daniel Walker Howe
Religion at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
How Do Some Foodways Look Like Religion?
The Making of US: Lived Religion in America with Reverend Senator Kim Jackson
What Has Been the Role of Religion in Capitalism?
How Has Religion Influenced the Development of the U.S. Prison System?
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Irish Songs with Ken Murray
History Obscura
Historycal: Words that Shaped the World
The Rest Is History
Lore