Horace Huntley, PhD is the Director of the Oral History Project at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. As an author, Dr. Huntley has explored the role of African-Americans in business, labor and academia. His books include Black Workers’ Struggle for Equality in Birmingham and A Master Option Trader's Journey from Pipe Shop to Wall Street; The Life and Times of Terry Harris. He has served on the Birmingham Historical Commission and the Birmingham Historical Society.
Were you alive in 1968? What inspired you to become an historian?
In 1968 I was attending the University of Minnesota after serving four years in the United States Air Force. I did not live on campus, but lived in South Minneapolis. While working at the Sabathani Community Center I met Mahmoud El-Kati. El-Kati is a historian and he impressed me so that I wanted to learn his trade and teach. In 1970 I completed the BA degree in African American Studies. I completed the Masters in American History at Syracuse in 1972, and the Ph.D. at the University of Pittsburgh in 1977 in American History with emphasis on Black Labor History.
I've read in news reports from the period that Dr. King didn't request extra protection while he was in Memphis. Yet, many people believed back then that the Memphis situation was especially dangerous. Is there an explanation, in your opinion, for the discrepancy between the actual situation and the lack of protection supplied by the Memphis authorities?
It was unusual to have such a minor interest on security while in Memphis. The threats were very apparent and should have meant an increase in protection. However, we have learned that persons who normally were detailed to protect Dr. King were taken off of the assignment. This point alone suggests conspiracy.
Do you think Dr. King would've ever altered his nonviolent beliefs, considering the direction of others in 1968?
Many used nonviolence as a tactic. Dr. King believed in nonviolence as a way of life. I doubt very seriously he would have changed his perspective. However, he consistently talked about the continued possibility of violence if the nation continued on its course of war, discrimination and inequities.
How did the role of faith play into his views on poverty and the war?
Dr. King represented the conscious of this nation. He always talked about the ability of right to overcome wrong. This is evidenced in the many campaigns that he led. It was evidenced in Montgomery where he believed that Black people would succeed against the odds of white supremacy, that represented the racist status quo. In Birmingham, going up against Bull Connor and his henchmen, he kneeled, prayed, went to jail and wrote his letter to the white clergymen who question his integrity. His positions on the Vietnam War and the Poor People's Campaign, represented by his speech at Ebernezer and the Memphis "Mountaintop" speech, speak to that faith.
In your opinion, would what Dr. King tell today's young people who would like to be politically active?
I think he would tell them to get involved with Barack Obama. Obama's speech on race epitomizes exactly what Dr. King represented throughout his life.
What are some of the lessons that still have to be learned about 1968 and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?
The activities of 1968 were attempts to solve long-standing problems that this nation has failed to recognize, or admit to. One who has an addiction must first admit to that addiction before help can be rendered. Humbleness must be a part of the solution. We again have a chance to end the suffering. Time will tell whether we pass or fail.
Is there anything that surprises you about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?
I am not surprised about Dr. King. However, it is puzzling that America failed to take advantage of such a spirit. He added to the foundation for understanding our problem. It is unclear whether we have learned the lesson.
