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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

King, Martin Luther Jr., 1929-1968 Speech to the American Psychological Association.

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09641.22 Author/Creator: King, Martin Luther Jr., 1929-1968 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Typed document Date: 1 September 1967 Pagination: 9 p. : Height: 27.7 cm, Width: 21.5 cm Order a Copy

One address delivered by Martin Luther King Jr., at the Hilton Hotel in Washington D.C., dated September 1, 1967. Dr. King refers to the aid that science can give to the plight of African Americans in the fight against racism. He writes that non-violent protests have been the most effective modes of affecting change, as well as, riots in the city. "Urban riots are a special form of violence. They are not insurrections. The rioters are not seeking to seize territory or to attain control of institutions. Dominantly they are intended to shock the white community. They are a distorted form of social protest." He furthers his point by explain that looting is a form of catharsis, and that African Americans will continue to push on for equality.

King, Martin Luther, Jr., 1929-1968

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