Dramatic Reading of MLK’s ‘Beyond Vietnam’ Speech in Pittsburgh

Renowned actor Wali Jamal reads MLK’s Beyond Vietnam Speech to an enthralled Pittsburgh audience on November 11, 2019.

By Susan Smith
Pittsburgh WILPF
December 10, 2019

Pittsburgh’s renowned actor Wali Jamal read Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence speech on Armistice Day, Monday, November 11, 2019 at the Warren United Methodist Church. The Pittsburgh chapter of WILPF and eleven community groups co-sponsored the dramatic reading of the speech linking war, racism, and poverty, which was originally delivered by Dr. King in 1967 at Riverside Church in New York City.

Civil Rights activist and US Representative John Lewis (GA) was among the 3,800 in the audience at Riverside when Dr. King delivered this speech. Lewis described it as “a speech for all humanity—for the world community. I heard him speak so many times. I still think this is probably the best.”

The reading was followed by a brief, all-participant discussion on the topic, “How can we use MLK’s insights in the work we are doing?” About 80 people participated in the active sharing of ideas. Discussion continued in the refreshment room where ideas were shared across participating groups and many attendees made new contacts.

If you would like more information about the Beyond Vietnam speech, check out these links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC1Ru2p8OfU
http://www.aavw.org/special_features/speeches_speech_king01.html