The Speech; The Story Behind Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s Dream

Gary Younge-Discussing his new book, The Speech: The Story Behind Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream, author and journalist Gary Younge examines the spirit of that historic day in Washington and the misappropriation of King’s legacy since. Younge offers a critical analysis of why “I Have a Dream” remains
America’s favorite speech.

Gary Younge is a feature writer for The Guardian and a columnist for The Nation. In his visit to the Joynes Reading Room, Younge will discuss his most recent book in an onstage interview with Professor Eric Tang of UT’s Department of African and African Diaspora Studies. This gripping book is rooted in new and important interviews
with Clarence Jones, a close friend of and draft speechwriter for Martin Luther King Jr., and Joan Baez, a singer at the march, as well as Angela Davis and other leading civil rights leaders. Younge’s other books include: No Place Like Home: A Black Briton’s Journey Through the American South (1999); Stranger in a Strange Land: Encounters in the
Disunited States (2006) and Who Are We – And Should It Matter in the 21st Century? (2010)

Wednesday, January, 29 7:00 pm The Joynes Reading Room.

Free book (limited quantity) for any honors student. Claim in person at the front desk of the Joynes Reading Room.