Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy gets co-opted for politics, but his daughter fights back
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What it do, Black Tennessee Voices fam?
It is I, LeBron Hill, elated as usual to bring you another newsletter.
January means a new year where resolutions are made and hopefully accomplished. The month is also the time where we honor and celebrate the legacy left by civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. But, as years past, MLK Day has become an opportunity for people to take advantage of King's work for their own political gain.
For instance, on Jan. 5, Dr. King's daughter Bernice tweeted her frustration after a Moms for Liberty-sponsored event used her father's image in an invitation. The Tennessean covered this story on Friday.
The Williamson County chapter of the 501(c)(4) tax-exempt political organization made an effort in November to ban a book about Dr. King. The Tennessee Department of Education refused these efforts.
It's critical as we move closer to another MLK Day that we find ways to honor Dr. King's legacy that is authentic for what he stood for.
You'll see more from me on this subject next week.
Here's what else you'll find in this week's newsletter:
Nashville Homeless Underground founder Howard Allen wants homelessness to be eradicated in the city but believes Metro's efforts to "reclaim" Brookmeade Park goes in a different direction. His guest column calls for a focus on creating more affordable, low-income housing in Nashville.
Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis explains why the Memphis City Council should give citizens the opportunity to vote on the residency requirement for police officers.
I want to take time to honor the life of Yusef Harris, who passed away Jan. 4. Harris was the longtime owner of the Alkebu-Lan Images bookstore.
I had the pleasure of talking with Harris during a Black Tennessee Voices Facebook live conversation, and his love for the community was so evident. Rest in Power, Yusef.
Have a great weekend, everyone. Much love.
LeBron Hill is an opinion columnist for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee and the curator of the Black Tennessee Voices newsletter. Feel free to contact him at LHill@gannett.com or 615-829-2384. Find him on Twitter at @hill_bron or Instagram at @antioniohill12.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy gets co-opted in Williamson County
