Here’s what happened when one man tried to correct Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter about MLK’s legacy
Many celebrities and influencers have commented on the "take a knee" NFL controversy, including the daughter of one of the most revered civil rights icons − Martin Luther King, Jr.
NFL players, taking after Colin Kaepernick, have kneeled during the national anthem at games to denounce President Donald Trump’s statements about athletes fighting injustices by taking a knee during the song.
»RELATED: Dr. Bernice King: 'My father would meet with Trump'
King’s daughter Bernice King, a beloved Atlantan, chimed in, comparing her father’s nonviolent demonstrations to those of the NFL players.
"People didn't approve of the way my father protested injustice either; said he was causing trouble, called him an 'outside agitator,'" she wrote.
People didn't approve of the way my father protested injustice either; said he was causing trouble, called him an "outside agitator." #MLK pic.twitter.com/l5cAkiGR6K
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) September 24, 2017
That’s when one tweep, @Robert23003286, attempted to correct King on her dad’s beliefs.
"Please don't take a honest man and try and turn him into something thats not him. He believed in peaceful protests, you tarnish his legacy," he said.
Please don't take a honest man and try and turn him into something thats not him. He believed in peaceful protests, you tarnish his legacy
— Robert (@Robert23003286) September 24, 2017
»RELATED: Martin Luther King historic site focuses on forces that shaped the dream
But others on Twitter were not interested in his explanation, criticizing him for trying to clarify the activist’s legacy to his own daughter.
That's his daughter you're denigrating. Have some #respect.
— Ashley The Fearless (@mojofearless) September 25, 2017
That awkward moment when someone is so clueless, they try to explain Martin Luther King Jr.'s beliefs to his own daughter.
— Brenda Lyons (@brendalyonsart) September 25, 2017
😂😂😂😂😂😂— me (@Hawks12Fanatic) September 25, 2017Did...did this guy just try to mansplain MLK to MLK’s daughter??
Wow. Peak whiteness right here.White dude telling black woman about what HER dad did.
— AnotherSlyFoxChris (@IAnotherSlyFox) September 25, 2017
»RELATED: MLK's daughter links statue to conversation on Confederate symbols
Then, there were some who challenged his thoughts on nonviolent protesting.
🤔🤔🤔— Calvin Delius (@NotHobbes_MUFC) September 25, 2017If kneeling is violent then why do people of all faiths do it when practising their religions?
#TakeTheKnee isn't peaceful protest? so what IS acceptable to you? what do you actually know of the "KING LEGACY"? @BerniceKing
— ezyernie (@ezyernie) September 25, 2017
Please read a few books, your ignorance about MLK is shameful but fixable
— Just Hate (@justhate) September 26, 2017
And some were convinced that the user wasn’t even an actual person.
The above account @Robert2303286 is almost certainly part of an Information operation, and not a real person.
— Robert Rutledge (@rerutled) September 25, 2017
Which is far, far worse.
So that tweet of the dude telling off MLK's daughter: pretty sure that's a bot. 8 digit serial number, repeated use of media, spurts of use.
— Fake Geek Zak (@ZakEdwardsLive) September 26, 2017
@Robert23003286
— dre nee (@MotownDR) September 26, 2017
»RELATED: Bernice King urges Pepsi to work with the King Center after ad gaffe
About the Author
Najja Parker is a multimedia journalist covering Black culture for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She is an engaging on-air talent, who has served as a host for the newsroom’s special projects and events, such as the movie premiere of “The South Got Something To Say,” a documentary chronicling the rise of Atlanta hip-hop.
