The Legacy of Dr. King

Throughout history, social movements have changed the world.  The Protestant Reformation, the Boston Tea Party, the American Revolution, the French Revolution, the Indian Independence Movement, the American Civil Rights Movement, and, the South African Anti-Apartheid Movement are just a few of the movements that have had tremendous influence on history.  These movements were successful because they addressed a major problem at the right time, in the right way with the right focus.  

In 1968, just months prior to his assassination, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led the creation of what was to be the second phase of the Civil Rights Movement that he called the “Poor People’s Campaign.”  Dr. King was assassinated in April of that year so one of his closest associates, Reverend Ralph Abernathy, led the campaign.  This movement, in spite of (or because of) King’s assassination, brought tens of thousands of protesters to the Washington Monument Mall in Washington, D.C. to advocate for jobs for the unemployed and underemployed. Unfortunately, this movement only lasted a few months.

Historians have many different theories as to why this movement did not grow.  However, I have learned from my Intelligent Influence model that most successful movements must be “aspirational” to succeed.  The short-lived Poor People’s Campaign was focused on “preventing” people from being poor while the successful Civil Rights Movement was helping people of color “aspire” to receive equal rights.  This aspirational purpose inspired millions of people around the world to support the goals of the Movement.  It was abundantly clear to me that the best way to achieve the goals of the Poor People’s Campaign was to create an “aspirational movement” called the Middle Class Movement.  

My favorite picture is one of my Father, Reverend Gilbert H. Caldwell, Jr., leading a press conference with the person who would become the leader of the Poor People’s Campaign Reverend Abernathy and the leader of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King (see the picture on the “About Us” page on www.MiddleClassMovement.com).  This picture, which hangs in my office, reminds me every day that I have a responsibility to carry on the legacy of leaders like my Dad, Dr. King and Rev. Abernathy.

My Dad’s active involvement in the Civil Rights Movement has influenced me to do what I can to help to finish the work that he, King, Abernathy and thousands of others started.  The aspirational Middle Class Movement that has been founded 46 years later is intended to use what I have learned from my management consulting background and Intelligent Influence model to build on the Poor People’s Campaign. 

The intent of this movement is to prove to the world that the economic and educational well-being of all people in the world (the wealthy, middle class and poor) will be improved if global financial and educational poverty is minimized.  I am convinced that this campaign will succeed because there is both a moral and economic self-interest imperative to influence global leaders to create millions of living wage jobs and enhance the reading levels of 9 and 10 year olds throughout the world.

The Middle Class Movement is positioned to succeed because it is being initiated:

Ø  At the Right Time - because we live in a period of widespread global poverty (which is increasing because of the millions of people who are illiterate or were formally considered part of the middle class who are now currently struggling to survive).

Ø  In the Right Way - because we are using easy to understand indices to measure progress and social media to expand the movement’s influence.

Ø  With the Right Focus - because many of the world’s problems can be solved by increasing pressure on politicians and other global leaders to increase the reading levels of 9 and 10 year olds and support independent businesses that create living wage jobs.  Wide-spread reading remediation and job creation will improve local economies, educational quality, health care and the environment while reducing poverty, crime and terrorism.

Only time will tell if this movement will become the next great movement.  However, if you believe in our goals we want your support.  Please visit our website at www.MiddleClassMovement.com or email me directly at middleclassmovement@gmail.com.