MLK: A Life and an Inspiration
Some lessons from Jonathan Eig's important new book
We mostly write essays in this newsletter about our best ideas on how to accelerate environmental progress. But we also sometimes discuss the books we are reading. Our goal is to draw lessons and inspiration for environmentalists from books we admire.
Every now and then a book comes along that is so profound and special, we call it out with a dedicated issue of our newsletter
This is one of those times.
I recently read — devoured, really — Jonathan Eig’s brand new biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, King: A Life.
I won’t be able to do this magisterial book full justice, so let me keep my topline takeaway simple:
This book is truly great. Please read it.
I thought I knew MLK’s life story well. But while reading this book which I loved, I learned a lot that was new to me. I came away energized by his example and determined to do more — in my case, by trying harder on the environmental front.
Let’s face it, in these times of great discord, it’s easy to get discouraged. I found it very moving, therefore, to read about a man who faced extraordinary challenges but always stuck to his convictions, continued his heroic work, and ultimately achieved enormous impact.
Before I go any further, let me be clear that I understand that the civil rights movement was then and is now very different from the environmental movement. They are not at all the same. To truly honor MLK’s legacy, we must of course continue to champion the important work of racial justice.
At the same time, when we reflect on how a person such as MLK lives — and sacrifices — their life to fight injustice and change the way people behave, we can think deeply about his example for all forms of activism.
There is so much about this book I could get into. (There’s a reason the book is 688 pages!) But I will note three aspects of MLK’s leadership that strike me as germane for environmentalists.
Respect everyone in the big tent.
MLK partnered with leaders and organizations that advocated for different approaches than he did — both more radical (Black Panthers, SNCC) and more moderate ones (NAACP). He was constantly being pushed to shift gears and revise his strategy. The criticism he got from fellow advocates could be harsh. Nevertheless, he always listened to his critics and seemed to even welcome their input. He acknowledged that their efforts produced positive outcomes. And importantly, he never cut ties. He kept working with them — doing whatever it took — without sacrificing his preferred approach.
It makes me wonder again, could we in the environmental movement make more of an effort to work together to address the challenges we tackle?
Love your opponents.
MLK was fearless but he refused to demonize his opponents. Even though this part of his temperament and strategy is well known, I still found it amazing to read again about this aspect of his extraordinary life.
He somehow never wavered from his commitment to love his opponents — even the very cruel and dangerous among them. And yet, this Gandhi-like approach also never lessened his determination to fight for justice for Black Americans.
MLK always appealed to people’s most noble attributes — something that would not be possible if he was consumed by disapproval.
As a Baptist minister, MLK spoke in a way that probably won’t come as naturally for environmentalists like me. But we can learn from his example and adapt it to our own situations.
I think environmentalists should try to follow MLK’s example and specifically seek to win over (not vilify) opponents such as climate denialists and others who try to thwart environmental progress. We need to grow our coalition to get the political clout we seek.
Stay the course.
MLK had every reason to give up along the way: from sharp criticisms from fellow activists, opposition from government officials, and attacks by the media to the much more serious harassment by the FBI, stints in jail, beatings, death threats, the bombing of his home, and so on. And he had one very good reason not to. He had a vision for something better, and he was determined to do everything he could to achieve it.
Most of us operate under far less challenging circumstances. But we can still be discouraged. The answer, in my view, is to follow MLK’s lead and persevere, not let up. The only direction is forward.
Again, please read this superb book. I think you will love it. And please let us know what lessons you draw from the life story of MLK.
Thank you.
