Chad O. Jackson, a documentarian, discusses the prevalent narrative that figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are revered as heroes within the black community. However, he expresses skepticism about their contributions, suggesting that while he may view them as less harmful than others do, he still fundamentally rejects their ideologies.
Jackson mentions that he sees a slight merit in Malcolm X but disagrees with both men. He critiques the Nation of Islam’s views that Malcolm espoused and dismisses the social gospel associated with King.
He believes Malcolm X focused on community building, while King used boycotts merely as a stepping stone for broader ambitions. “King wasn’t in it for community uplift or self-reliance,” Jackson argues, noting that he, in fact, moved away from his bootstrap philosophy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgq9dg6yfdu
Jackson points out that Stanley Levison, often referred to as the “communist number one investor,” played a significant role in shaping King’s narrative. He explains that their relationship was pivotal, creating what he describes as a “giant in real time,” a dynamic that gained traction posthumously when a memorial honoring King was established in Washington, DC.
Interestingly, Levison is credited with scripting the famous line from King’s speech about having a dream where people would be judged by character rather than skin color. Jackson attributes the origin of that sentiment to an 1872 article in a South Carolina newspaper, where a Confederate journalist expressed a similar view.
He asserts that King likely drew inspiration from these earlier writings. “The exact origin matters less than the truth behind it,” Jackson concludes, emphasizing that many elements attached to King’s legacy may not have purely originated from him.
