DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR, POVERTY, AND HEALTH EQUITY

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr is well known for his legacy of fighting for civil rights. But what is often forgotten was his broader social justice mission. He said, “It is time to move from an era of civil rights to one of human rights.” On December 4, 1967, Dr. King announced the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) plan to lead waves of the nation’s poor to Washington D.C.  This was not to be a one-day event.  The plan was to stay until America responded. Tragically, Dr. King was assassinated in April 1968. However, SCLC did move forward with what was called the Poor People’s Campaign under the leadership of Ralph Abernathy.

Mrs. Corretta Scott King led the first wave of demonstrators on Mother’ Day, May 12, 1968. The campaign would bring together Appalachians, Puerto Ricans, Native and Mexican Americans, Whites, and Blacks, rich and poor. 3,000 participants stayed in tents and shacks named Resurrection City, located near the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument (see image). The platform included plans to petition the government for an Economic Bill of Rights that would:

• provide annual appropriations for the war on poverty.
• passage of guaranteed annual wage.
• construction of low-cost housing until slums were eliminated.

The city was shuttered on June 24, 1968, after expiration of the federal permit and before the goals were met.

PRESENT

Poverty is a persistent problem today and is a component of the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). SDOH are the conditions in the environment where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age.  Based on research, the World Health Organization says they may be more important than health care or lifestyle choices. SDOH, especially poverty, play a significant role in health disparities and health equity. People living in poverty often live in neighborhoods with poor air quality, pests, and poor access to healthy foods and education. All of which contribute to poor health and generational poverty.

As we prepare to celebrate his federal holiday on January 20, 2025, which also happens to be inauguration day, I can’t help but ponder where we are today compared to the past and Dr. King’s vision.

In announcing the Poor People’s Campaign, Dr. King stated, “America is at a crossroads of history. In a sense, we are already at war with and among ourselves.  A nation gorged on money while millions of its citizens are denied a good education, adequate health services, decent housing, meaningful employment, and even respect, and are then told to be responsible.” 

Spoken 58 years ago, his words are still hauntingly true today. Which also causes me to ponder, what else should I be doing?

REFERENCES

Healthy People 2030, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Retrieved [date graphic was accessed], from https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health

King, M.L. (1967, December 4). Statement Announcing Poor People’s Campaign. Civil Rights Movement Archive. https://www.crmvet.org/docs/6712_mlk_ppc-anc.pdf

Little, N.K. (2023, December 12). MLK’s Final Cause: Poor People’s Campaign Demanding Economic Justice.  https://www.history.com/news/poor-peoples-campaign-tent-city

Berry, F. (1968, July 7). The anger and problems and sickness of the poor of the whole nation were in this one shantytown. The New York Times Magazine.

Franklin, B.A. (1968, May 13). 5,000 Open Poor People’s Campaign in Washington. The New York Times.

Miller, A. (2018, June 7). Dr. King’s Vision: The Poor People’s Campaign of 1967-68. https://www.poorpeoplescampaign-va.org/index.php/take-action/item/2-dr-king-s-vision-the-poor-people-s-campaign-of-1967-68