Letters: Jan. 30, 2006

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Days The book excerpt describing King's assassination and the events leading up to it brought thoughtful responses from readers who reflected on the civil rights leader's contributions to racial equality in the U.S. Some felt, however, that certain details about King's personal life could have been omitted

The excerpt from Taylor Branch's biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. [Jan. 9] was superb. It helped show the personal side of the man. I disagree, however, with Jesse Jackson, who in TIME's forum, "What If He Were Alive Today?", said that King would be challenging the war in Iraq. I think King would be less concerned about U.S. actions in Iraq than about seeing the failure of his dream of social justice and equality in this country. The U.S. now seems even more inclined than it was in King's day to treat people differently just because of their ethnicity, skin color, gender or sexual orientation. ROBERT D. FESTENSTEIN Wyoming, Ohio

In 1963 TIME selected King as Man of the Year. In 1964 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. A man of superior intelligence, King was a passionate crusader for complete justice for all people and an extraordinary leader. Americans observe a national holiday in his honor. It grieves me deeply, therefore, that you felt it necessary to print references to his extramarital affairs, which can only diminish his stature. I am not disputing the information in the excerpt. I am only lamenting the fact that so many people seem to find it necessary to expose the clay feet of our heroes. (THE REV.) LOUIS GERHARDT Twenty-nine Palms, Calif.

If ever there was clear evidence of the changes in U.S. society since the time of King, it is in the juxtaposition of the photos on your front and back covers. The back-cover ad, portraying Serena Williams as the strong, empowered woman she is, could not have been rendered in King's day. Today we take such portrayals of black women for granted. But they would have been impossible if not for the efforts of King and his movement. There is much more to do, but look how far we've come. CHARLES M. CORRELL Conway, Mass.

King's commitment to nonviolence convinces me that he would abhor all the bloodshed and strife that besiege America today. Murderous gangs, violent disrespect for women and cruelty to animals would be anathema to King. No black or white civil rights activist in the U.S. has filled King's void. Fortunately, his pacifist ideology profoundly influenced South Africa's social-justice icons Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. BRIEN COMERFORD Glenview, Ill.

• Read other stories about Martin Luther King Jr. in TIME's archives at time.com/king

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