MLK was a Figurehead

By JuJuan Buford Did he become more? Of course he did. Nevertheless, the movement chose him to be its face. In other words MLK was not the movement. The people were the movement; the hundreds and thousands of unsung heroes; the strivings for freedom and justice; everyday people. The danger of lionizing men and women so much, that we forget the peopleis that when he or she dies, people are too inclined to let movement die. MLK became a great leader. However if no one is there to organize, galvanize, and follow then King would have simply been taking a walk. The movement was the exercise of leadership, not one individual. So, yes MLK was a figurehead. A damn good one. King became a great leader. However, the Movement was and is You. And when you deny this simple fact, you disempower yourself. And you bastardize King. Just the random reflections of someone who thinks he knows a little something about activism.