Martin Luther King Jr. will always be remembered as one of the most powerful leaders of the American civil rights movement, and as an alumni of Morehouse College, where I presently attend, I find it with great honor to celebrate today for it is because of him that I have rights. I would like to take a moment to incorporate two things that I love; fashion and history. As I study the times and life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I could not help but notice his fashions. From skinny ties to it his custom tailored suits, I not only look at him as a civil rights leader but also as a style icon.
Fashion ofcourse is the recycling factor of history and I must admit that back in the 1960's black folks were always dressed up, from big head pieces and skirts-while the men were always in a suit and tie. Times were hard back then, but people were always dressed up-for they had somewhere to go.
This mugshot above is one of my favorite pictures captured of the late MLK because it speaks so many volumes, and it reminds me of a fashion ad, get into his garments. I often wish I lived in the 60's, ( for the fashions, not civil rights ) because people don't dress up anymore. In the 60's people use to march down the streets lookin like they just left a gala, now of days people are often caught in sneakers and jeans. In todays society, you can't get one of my peers to wear a suit-unless its Easter Sunday and even then they given you a boxed suit and some square toe shoes. Sometimes dressing up makes you feel good, and although in those days they had tons of problems, looking good was an analogy for what is possible. You have to look like something to go somehwere in life.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will forever be remembered for his civil rights accomplishments, but take a moment to appreciate his style. The well dressed Black Man.
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m a r q u i s . p h i f e r
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