He Was Willing to Be Unpopular to Stay Consistent

By the late 1960s, Dr. King’s approval ratings had declined significantly. Media outlets that once praised him began to distance themselves, and government surveillance intensified. Despite this, he refused to dilute his message to regain popularity. Dr. King understood that leadership rooted in moral conviction often comes at the cost of public approval. He believed that progress required tension, confrontation, and sacrifice, not consensus at all costs. His willingness to accept unpopularity in service of principle challenges modern leaders and activists who are often pressured to prioritize optics over substance.