Beyond the dream: 7 lesser-known facts about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
5. King opposed Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign
While oftentimes having to deal with the wrath of southern sheriffs who belonged to the Democratic Party, Dr. King did not necessarily spare the Republican Party any criticism.
When limited government proponent Barry Goldwater became the Republican nominee for president in 1964, King called on blacks and whites to vote against him.
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"On the urgent issue of civil rights, Senator Goldwater represented a philosophy that was morally indefensible and socially suicidal," wrote King in his autobiography.
"While not himself a racist, Mr. Goldwater articulated a philosophy which gave aid and comfort to the racist. His candidacy and philosophy would serve as an umbrella under which extremists of all stripes would stand."
King even took these complaints internationally. On a trip to the Netherlands in August of 1964, he again took time to criticize Goldwater.
"For the first time a major political party has nominated a man who articulates views that are totally out of harmony with the mainstream of American thought and views that are more in line with the 18th century than the 20th century," said King.
