Harry Golden: Bestselling author, raconteur, and advocate for civil rights with his irreverent newspaper, The Carolina Israelite

The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

One of the most dramatic endorsements of Golden’s work in the civil rights movement came from Dr. King in his iconic 1963 Letter from Birmingham City Jail, in which he expressed disappointment in both moderates and opponents of civil rights. Slightly different versions of King’s letter were published at the time; Golden’s mention was retained: “... I am thankful, however, that some of our white brothers in the South have grasped the meaning of this social revolution and committed themselves to it. They are still too few in quantity, but they are big in quality.” King then named Golden along with writers Ralph McGill, Lillian Smith, James McBride Dabbs, Ann Braden and Sarah Patton Boyle, saying all “have written about our struggle in eloquent and prophetic terms.” King and Golden corresponded occasionally, and Golden was in regular contact with King’s staff, sending donations and encouragement during protests and arrests.

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