By John Lindstrom
Publisher
Posted: August 29, 2013 3:39 PM

Martin Luther King Jr. was not the only speaker to hundreds of thousands of marchers in Washington, D.C., in 1963. One speaker had a distinctive Michigan connection, and in light of the 50th anniversary, some websites are recalling the short but assertive speech of then-United Auto Workers President Walter Reuther.

Mr. Reuther was not only the only Michigan speaker, but he was the only white speaker (though there were several white entertainers) at the event.

And remembering his speech also recalls the major role labor unions, particularly the UAW, played in helping organize and make the march a success.

For while the march’s primary goal was to promote civil rights in the U.S., it also called for improved working conditions across the nation, especially for black workers.

Mr. King’s speech actually began by touching on economic themes before he shifted into the memorable and hopeful address that focused on his dream of equality.

Mr. Reuther’s brief speech was forceful, saying there was hypocrisy among politicians. While there was a lot of talk about neighborhood, Mr. Reuther said, some people were willing to drop the neighbor and put on the hood.

Looking to the Cold War and the ongoing conflicts in Berlin, Mr. Reuther also said America could not call for freedom in Berlin and not in Birmingham, Alabama.

And Mr. Reuther said that when the infamous Birmingham sheriff Bull Connor used clubs, dogs and fire hoses on Civil Rights protestors in Birmingham, it affected his freedom in Detroit.