He Challenged Capitalism and Economic Inequality Head-On

Dr. King’s vision extended far beyond desegregation and voting rights. He openly criticized economic systems that allowed wealth to concentrate while millions lived in poverty. In speeches and writings during the final years of his life, he questioned whether capitalism, as it existed, could ever deliver true justice for Black Americans and other marginalized communities. This critique unsettled many supporters who preferred a version of civil rights that focused on access rather than redistribution. Dr. King argued that racial equality without economic justice was incomplete, insisting that America confront systemic exploitation and poverty. These views are often softened or omitted in modern retellings of his legacy, despite being central to his work.