Atlantic City Weekly's Weekend Hot Tub Party is honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a look back at the outcomes of the civil rights movement, some interesting facts you might not have known and a sweet playlist of songs inspired by Dr. King, some that were even performed at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where King delivered his infamous "I Have a Dream" speech.
Atlantic City Weekly's Weekend Hot Tub Party is honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a look back at the outcomes of the civil rights movement, some interesting facts you might not have known and a sweet playlist of songs inspired by Dr. King, some that were even performed at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where King delivered his infamous "I Have a Dream" speech.
So once again, this weekend we're revving up the jiggawatts and taking a trip back in time, reflecting on the movement and the man whose character and influence helped change the world.
You're invited to join the hot tub party we host here every weekend where we'll provide fun fresh content for you to share with your friends, from a sweet play-list we've put together or behind the scenes exclusive photos for your viewing pleasure, holiday specials, stories overheard in a bar, or the latest viral videos, you'll be sure to find it all here.
So, in this edition of Atlantic City Weekly's Hot Tub Party, let's honor Dr. King by remembering his bold words and absorbing the ideas that continue to shape America and the world.
What seems today as the unthinkable, it wasn't that long ago that America was a segregated country.
Martin Luther King led the Civil Rights movement that awoke a non-integrated America and demanded much needed equal rights regardless of color. Famously illustrated by the Martin Luther King led March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on Aug. 28, 1963, the movement called for civil and economic rights for African-Americans. It was here, at the largest political rally for human rights in U.S. history, that King delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
The movement led to the President Johnson's passing of the Civil Rights Act that banned discrimination based on "race, color, religion, sex or national origin" in employment practices and public accommodations and minorities were given more societal liberties than they previously had.
The bill authorized the Attorney General to file lawsuits to enforce the new law which also nullified state and local laws requiring discrimination. Schools, restaurants and establishments as well as public transit all desegregated and more equal opportunities were made available.
At 35 years of age, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the youngest to receive the award.
Today, although racism and discrimination still exist at a conscious and unconscious level, society has come a long way since the Civil Rights movement from oppressive segregation to holding the highest level of office in the country.
Though still far from perfect with many problems brought up and even caused by the movement that remain unsolved, King is renowned for his dedication and bravery in helping to bring about liberty and justice for all people. At the cost of personal sacrifice, the example he set of determination and resolve to achieve noble goals makes his work legendary. King firmly believed in non-violence and that any violence that was directed against a cause would demonstrate its righteousness.
Just as the Civil Rights movement became a global influence, today a great socioeconomic disruption is giving rise to a new global era. In the midst of rapidly changing technology and global economic catastrophes, the civil rights movement takes on a new form that continues to shape the future.
Some interesting facts you might not have known about MLK:
- His real, legal name was originally Michael King, after his father.
- The FBI telephone taped Dr. King's conversations and probed his hotel rooms, monitoring his activity
- King made TIME magazine's front cover in Feb. 1957 after the Montgomery Bus Boycotts
- Not only was King inspired by Gandhi, in 1959 he visited his birthplace in India.
- King's speech "Beyond Vietnam" spoke strongly against the U.S.'s role in the Vietnam war calling the U.S. government "the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today."
- The day before his assassination, King delivered his "I've been to the Mountaintop" speech where he strangely alludes to his own death saying: "Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land! And I'm so happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man! Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!" Hours after this speech King was assassinated as he stood on the second floor balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.
MLK Salute Song Playlist:
1. U2 - "In the Name of Love" <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whvh6HzDXUo>
2. Bruce Springsteen - "We Shall Overcome" <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dARQPl0ygr0>
3. Stevie Wonder - "Happy Birthday" <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaAwM6YW9p4>
4. Queen - "One Vision" <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjw7CejAScc>
5. Ben Harper - "Like a King" <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWYX8f9Qot4>
6. U2 - "MLK" <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYrsgQNAfvU>
7. Bob Dylan - "Only a Pawn in Their Game" <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFWg_JlN0Mw>
8. Bob Dylan - "Blowin' in the Wind" <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zY_cM0_6vA>
9. Gil Scott-Heron - "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" (Full band version)
10. Dion - "Abraham, Martin & John"
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Plans were in the works to try to get Scott-Heron to perform in Atlantic City this summer, for one of the city=sponsored concerts at Gardner's Basin. I also suggested to the organizers of the Dave Matthews Band Caravan festival coming to Atlantic City June 24-26, to reach out to Gil to have him as one of the dozens of artists on the bill.
On Gil Scott-Heron’s first new studio album in 16 years, I’m New Here, out Tuesday on XL Recordings (Radiohead, White Stripes), the rust-voiced revolutionary sounds as vital as ever. He’s been recording the haunting album—a mix of spooky futuristic blues; strange, drenched-in-synths soundscapes, poignant odes to his family and a few extraordinary covers—for the past few years with XL Recordings head Richard Russell, who first met Scott-Heron in 2006 when he visited him at Rikers, where he was serving 90 days for DUI.
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This Weekend Hot Tub Party is soaking up some real fresh creativity and innovation.
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