Martin Luther King Jr.'s Niece Says 'Selma' Lacks Accuracy But Is 'Historically Entertaining'
Dr. Alveda C. King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., took time to share her reaction to the film "Selma" on Wednesday.
The Gospel evangelist, who follows in her uncle's footsteps as a civil rights leader, shared her response to "Selma" after several inquiries via social media this week. Having been at the iconic leader's side during his movement to end discrimination, King was stirred by the new film.
"An invitation to a pre-release screening of the movie 'Selma' brought mixed emotions to my heart and tears to my eyes," the Gospel evangelist explained in a statement on New Year's Eve. "As I sat in the theater, I was transported back to the time when my Uncle MLK, my daddy AD [Alfred Daniel] King and so many civil rights icons were embroiled in the historical crosshairs that brought equality to the voting rights of blacks in America."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"Selma," which opened in theaters on Christmas Day and reaches theaters nationwide on Jan. 9, closely examines MLK Jr.'s peaceful protest in Selma, Alabama in 1965. Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 legally desegregated the South, discrimination was still rampant, making it very difficult for African Americans to register to vote.
"It was during that same season that Daddy and Mother's church parsonage was bombed in Birmingham ... and the little girls, one a classmate of mine, were killed in the bombing of the church," King recalled of the year 1965. "It was also the season of my first civil rights march, a 'Children's March' where Daddy and James Orange and others taught me the tenants of nonviolent protests."
While "Selma" included the Birmingham church bombing, King noted the film's lack of additional facts, including the mention of her father, Alfred Daniel Williams King, MLK's younger brother.
"Even though I wasn't on the team of consultants who worked with the producers, I'm glad 'Selma' is in the atmosphere," King said on Wednesday. "While 'Selma' is historically informative and entertaining, having lived through those days, I would have appreciated more historical accuracy. On a personal note, I was saddened to find no mention of my dad, who not only marched in Selma, but was also felled (and recovered) along with not only John Lewis, but with many others, including Hosea Williams and my dearly departed friend James Orange."
Notwithstanding, King enjoyed watching "Selma," and recommends that audiences see the film, which is in theaters now. Watch the trailer here.
