Ralph Bunche (who in 1950 became the first person of color to receive the Nobel Peace Prize) told the New York Times, “[King] should realize that his anti-U. S. in Vietnam crusade is bound to alienate many friends and supporters of the civil rights movement and greatly weaken it – an ironic twist for a civil rights leader.”

King’s organization, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference faced both financial and political repercussions for not “staying in their lane” and just sticking to “civil rights issues.”

Today some have questioned the need for the peace movement to stand up for racial equity. How, they ask, does justice for Trayvon Martin, immigrant rights or ending racial profiling contribute to changing U.S. foreign policy?

They clearly have a lot to learn from the legacy of Dr. King.

If peace activists can applaud the courage of Dr. King’s linking the “the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism” in 1967, then why do they not see the need to do the same today?

Unfortunately, many in today’s social justice movement have lost sight of the vital links between racial equity, economic justice and peace.