Becoming King: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Making of a National Leader (Civil Rights and the Struggle for Black Equality in the Twentieth Century) PDF
Preview Becoming King: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Making of a National Leader (Civil Rights and the Struggle for Black Equality in the Twentieth Century)
Becoming K ing Civil Rights and the stRuggle foR BlaCk equality in the twentieth CentuRy seRies editoRs Steven F. Lawson, Rutgers University Cynthia Griggs Fleming, University of Tennessee advisoRy BoaRd Anthony Badger, Sidney Sussex College S. Jonathan Bass, Samford University Clayborne Carson, Stanford University Dan T. Carter, University of South Carolina William Chafe, Duke University John D’Emilio, University of Illinois, Chicago Jack E. Davis, University of Florida Dennis Dickerson, Vanderbilt University John Dittmer, DePauw University Adam Fairclough, University of East Anglia Catherine Fosl, University of Louisville Ray Gavins, Duke University Paula J. Giddings, Smith College Wanda Hendricks, University of South Carolina Darlene Clark Hine, Michigan State University Chana Kai Lee, University of Georgia Kathryn Nasstrom, University of San Francisco Charles Payne, Duke University Merline Pitre, Texas Southern University Robert Pratt, University of Georgia John Salmond, La Trobe University Cleve Sellers, University of South Carolina Harvard Sitkoff, University of New Hampshire J. Mills Thornton, University of Michigan Timothy Tyson, University of Wisconsin–Madison Brian Ward, University of Florida Becoming K ing Martin Luther K ing Jr. and the Mak ing of a National Leader t J Roy aCkson i ntRoduCtion By C C layBoRne aRson T U P K he niversiTy ress of enTUcKy Copyright © 2008 by The University Press of Kentucky Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth, serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University. All rights reserved. Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky 663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008 www.kentuckypress.com 12 11 10 09 08 5 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Jackson, Troy, 1968– Becoming King : Martin Luther King, Jr. and the making of a national leader / Troy Jackson. p. cm. — (Civil rights and the struggle for Black equality in the twentieth century) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8131-2520-6 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. King, Martin Luther, Jr., 1929–1968. 2. African American civil rights workers—Biography. 3. Baptists—United States—Clergy—Biography. 4. African Americans—Civil rights—Alabama—Montgomery—History—20th century. 5. Montgomery (Ala.)—Race relations. 6. Segregation in transportation—Alabama— Montgomery—History—20th century. I. Title. E185.97.K5J343 2008 323.092—dc22 [B] 2008025041 This book is printed on acid-free recycled paper meeting the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence in Paper for Printed Library Materials. Manufactured in the United States of America. Member of the Association of American University Presses For Amanda, Jacob, Emma, and Ellie Contents Acknowledgments ix Introduction by Clayborne Carson xi Prologue 1 1. “The Stirring of the Water” 9 2. “The Gospel I Will Preach” 35 3. “Making a Contribution” 53 4. “They Are Willing to Walk” 85 5. “Living under the Tension” 115 6. “Bigger Than Montgomery” 147 Epilogue 181 Notes 187 Bibliography 229 Index 241 Acknowledgments This book reflects the valuable suggestions and recommendations of many scholars and readers. Dr. Gerald Smith’s knowledge of the field helped me clearly define the scope of the work. Dr. Smith also provided detailed feedback on the entire manuscript at several points during the writing process. Many other professors from the University of Kentucky provided helpful reflections and raised important questions that helped enhance this work, including Dr. Kathi Kern, Dr. Ronald Eller, Dr. Philip Harling, Dr. Eric Christiansen, and Dr. Armando J. Prats. Lexington Theological Seminary’s Dr. Jimmy L. Kirby also provided useful feedback. Other scholars also contributed to this work, including Dr. Clay- borne Carson, senior editor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Papers Project, who inspired me to take on a project that incorporated the work I had done as an editor with the King Papers Project. Dr. Carson and his wife, Susan Carson, also provided wonderful hospitality during research trips to Stanford University. Other editors with the project, including Dr. Ki- eran Taylor and Dr. Sue Englander, provided helpful suggestions. I am honored that the King scholar Dr. Keith Miller read the entire manu- script and offered helpful suggestions and encouragement. Theologian Dr. Curtis DeYoung of Bethel University also provided helpful feedback. Others who read and commented on the work include Brandie Atkins, Aaron Cowan, Rob Gioelli, Emily Gioelli, Les Stoneham, and Jeff Suess. Thanks to Susan Brady for her very diligent editorial work on this manu- script, and for her many helpful suggestions. I am thankful for the support of University Christian Church, where I serve as pastor. The congregation has encouraged my academic pursuits and provided a sabbatical that allowed me to complete the bulk of my research. My family has been supportive throughout. My wife, Amanda, has encouraged my educational pursuits throughout our marriage. This man- ix
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