Martin Luther King Jr.’s Opposition to The War in Vietnam

About the Book

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and in moments of comfort, but where he stands in moments of challenge and moments of controversy” (Martin Luther King Jr.). The purpose of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Opposition to the War in Vietnam is to investigate and describe King’s involvement within the Vietnam War and the critical responses that followed. His speaking out against the conflict was not spontaneous; he deliberated two years before doing so. As early as 1965, he made mention of the war, but because of criticisms from senior officials in the civil rights movement, he postponed his efforts. However, on April 4, 1967, he gave his “Beyond Vietnam” speech, which outlined his position on the war. Criticisms were many and severe, ranging from some of his closest associates to that of the Johnson administration. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Opposition to the War in Vietnam is the first published book that deals solely with King’s involvement within the Vietnam crisis.

About the Author

The Author Henry E. Darby is a graduate of Morris College, Sumter, South Carolina (B.A., 1975); Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia (M.A., 1985); The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina (M.Ed., 2007); The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina (Ed.S., 2010). The author also studied at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (1984). Darby examined the Vietnam War during his graduate studies at Atlanta University and The Citadel. He is the co-author of King on Vietnam (1996) and The Execution of Two Liberty Hill Negroes (1993). Further writings include A Short History of Liberty Hill – The Beginnings (1993), Denmark Vesey & His Early Quest for Freedom (1999), and Liberty Hill’s Vietnam Fighting Men: A Small African-American Community’s Record of Service and Sacrifice (2013). Darby taught for 23 years at Burke High and Morningside Middle schools in Charleston County and six years as an adjunct professor at Charleston Southern University, Charleston, South Carolina, where he taught African-American and United States history. At the aforementioned college, he developed and taught the first course solely on the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. According to the Atlanta University History Department, it was the first course of its kind taught within the nation. He worked as an assistant principal at Fort Dorchester High School, Dorchester County, and now as principal of North Charleston High School, North Charleston, South Carolina. He also serves as a member of Charleston County Council. He attends Union Baptist Church, 7 – Mile, North Charleston, South Carolina. He has two children and two grandchildren. The Editor Drawn by its history and historic ambience, Warwick Jones retired to Charleston, South Carolina, 11 years ago after a long career in the securities industry. Although born and raised in Australia, most of his career was spent abroad. He worked as an equity analyst in Sydney and London and managed equity research departments in both Tokyo and New York. Disturbed by the poor media coverage of Charleston’s local government, he founded the website Charlestonwatch.com to provide information about activities of the city and county governments and to encourage scrutiny of their activities. As well as covering city and county council meetings, he finds time to read and has a strong interest in history and music. He also raises orchids and is a talented classical pianist. Jones also serves on Charleston County Greenbelt Advisory Board, Charleston County Planning Commission Board, and Charleston Aviation Regional Transportation Authority Board. He is married and has two children.