Page 19 - MLK Day Booklet 2021

“The deceit of history, whether it occurs in the

context of Holocaust denial or in an effort to re-

write the story of Dr. King’s death, is a dangerous

impulse for which those committed to reasoned
debate and truth cannot sit still,” a Post editorial

read. “The more quickly and completely this ju-

ry’s discredited verdict is forgotten the

better.” [WP, Dec. 12, 1999]

For its part, the King family cited the verdict as a

way of dealing with its personal grief. “We hope

to put this behind us and move on with our
lives,” said Dexter King, speaking on behalf of

the family. “This is a time for reconciliation, heal-

ing and closure.”

But should closure — or forgetfulness – follow a

verdict that finds the federal government com-

plicit in a conspiracy to assassinate one of this
nation’s most historic figures? Are there indeed

legitimate reasons to doubt the official story?

And how should Americans evaluate this unor-

thodox trial, its evidence and the verdict?