Growing up in the '90s, it seemed like the Civil Rights Movement was already something that was said and done a long time ago
I actually think this is something that hurts the discussion about race in America, is that it's kind of presented that way in grade school history classes. Like "There was racism until MLK Jr. asked it to go away". In the 90s, that was only 30 years or less after MLK was assassinated (that should say something about the kind of opposition he faced, too) It just doesn't make sense to me to think that that kind of hatred just disappeared in a few decades.
So history's been simplified for a majority audience to take in. I think it's the intent that really matters: people of all races have their rights now, don't be a jackass to others based on their skin color. Growing up, I've been taught those simple but very crucial values. What could possibly be wrong with that line of thinking? Yes, racist assholes existed in King's time and were likely responsible for his assassination, racist assholes still exist today. Guess what? King's currently viewed as a martyr while racist assholes are widely looked down upon. I don't see the issue there.
Well the problem, and the idea behind that last article, is that what it was actually like for MLK (and Rosa Parks) is not taught and so a lot of people use an imaginary idea of MLK's beliefs or tactics as a way to criticize modern day movements. He was considered an 'extremist' and protests/demonstrations similar to what he carried out are being criticized like "Oh MLK would never do something like this, civil rights protests have fallen so far."
I just think if we all were taught more and understood more about the civil rights movement and how it was perceived by the public we would have more context for today's world ---