Andrew Young did Dr. King’s dirty work when no one else would

Andrew Young, a civil rights icon who served as a close advisor to Martin Luther King Jr., often took on tasks that others deemed too difficult or unpalatable. In the documentary "Andrew Young: The Dirty Work," which airs on MSNBC this Friday at 9 p.m. ET, Young shares his perspective on the challenges faced during the civil rights movement.

King reportedly once told Young that he needed people who couldn't easily adjust to segregation and were willing to "upset things." These individuals, often referred to as "creatively maladjusted," played a crucial role in pushing forward the cause of equality. According to Young, his job was to carry out tasks that others didn't want to do.

One notable example is when Young successfully argued against an injunction in April 1968 that prohibited King from marching in Memphis with Black sanitation workers. Tragically, King was assassinated on that day. Five days later, Young helped manage the crowds during a nearly 4-mile procession for King's funeral.

The documentary not only showcases Young's civil rights activism but also explores his time as President Jimmy Carter's ambassador to the United Nations, his tenure as Atlanta mayor, and his efforts in bringing the Olympic Games to Atlanta in 1996. By highlighting these different aspects of Young's life, "Andrew Young: The Dirty Work" provides a nuanced understanding of how effective social change requires individuals willing to take on difficult tasks.

In today's context, where fascism is being increasingly criticized by Americans, it's striking that Young faced similar challenges during the 1960s. His response to members of Congress who sought to silence him and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's Poor People's Campaign has chilling relevance.

The documentary suggests that we need a mix of people – those willing to take risks, challenge the status quo, and push for radical change, as well as calm, skilled negotiators like Young. This blend of perspectives is crucial in combating the same tactics used today, where dissenting voices are being demonized and silenced.

Ultimately, Young's story serves as a reminder that making our country better requires people willing to take on "the dirty work" – tasks that others may find too difficult or unpalatable. By acknowledging the importance of these individuals and their contributions to social change, we can continue to learn from the past and build a more equitable future.

so like i was watching this documentary about Andrew Young and it made me think... why do people always talk about Martin Luther King Jr? he's like super famous but what about all the others who were doing the real work behind the scenes? you know, like Andrew Young?

i mean, fascism is becoming a thing now and i'm just wondering how we can learn from history and not repeat it. the documentary was really good though... i didn't know that much about Andrew Young, so thanks for sharing

This docu is super inspiring ! I love how it highlights Andrew Young's underrated role in the civil rights movement . He was literally the "dirty work" that needed to be done , but so often overlooked. It's crazy to think about how similar his struggles were to what ppl are facing today, especially with all this fascist stuff #FascismAwareness is crucial! We need more people like Andrew Young who aren't afraid to challenge the status quo and push for radical change . It's also dope to see how he balanced being calm & collected as a diplomat, while still being bold & fearless in his activism . This docu is a must-watch for anyone interested in social justice & history #SocialJusticeMatters

I think Andrew Young was super brave and cool for doing all those tough things back in the day , but at the same time, I also feel like he was kinda pushed into it and didn't really have much of a choice ... I mean, who wouldn't want to take on some "dirty work" when you're being told to? But then again, maybe that's what made him so effective – he just went with the flow and did whatever needed doing . On the other hand, it sounds like his approach might not be the best for today's situation, where people are getting all bent out of shape about being silenced or criticized ... I'm not sure if we really need more "creatively maladjusted" folks running around, and maybe we should focus on finding a balance between taking risks and, you know, actually listening to each other .

OMG, you guys! I'm like so inspired by Andrew Young's story . He's literally the ultimate example of someone who wasn't afraid to take on the tough stuff and make a real difference. Like, can we talk about how he single-handedly argued against that injunction in Memphis? That's some serious courage right there . And now, in today's world, where everyone's getting all worked up about fascism and whatnot, it's like... we need more people like Andrew Young who are willing to put themselves out there and fight for change . Let's be real, it's not always easy or popular, but that's exactly why we need these kinds of "creatively maladjusted" folks around . Anyway, I'm totally tuning in to this docu now

I'm low-key obsessed with this doc about Andrew Young ... it's crazy how much he had to deal with during the civil rights movement , but at the same time, I think his approach to 'doing the dirty work' is still so relevant today . I mean, we need people who are willing to speak truth to power and challenge the system, even if it's hard or uncomfortable . And let's be real, it's also super important to have those calm, skilled negotiators in the mix . The way he handled situations like the Poor People's Campaign is still giving me life ... we could all learn a thing or two from his approach .

The doc is gonna be lit. Always love seeing the unsung heroes like Andrew Young who kept it real during those tumultuous times. He was more than just a sidekick to MLK, he was a master of strategy & tactics

lol what's up with this doc? think it's cool how Andrew Young was all about stirrin' up trouble back in the day but idk if I'd wanna watch a whole movie about someone who was basically a troublemaker meanwhile i'm just over here thinkin' that nowadays ppl need to step up their "dirty work" game like, can't even protest without gettin' silenced or arrested? what's the point of all this drama?

I just watched this documentary about Andrew Young and I'm still reeling... what really stood out to me was how true his story feels today . Like, we're living in a time where people are literally being silenced for speaking out against injustices. It's crazy to think that Young faced similar pushback during the 60s and yet he kept pushing forward . The way they talk about these "creatively maladjusted" individuals who are willing to take on difficult tasks... it feels like we need more of those people in positions of power right now . We need a mix of bold risk-takers and skilled negotiators to really drive change. I'm definitely inspired by Young's story to keep speaking out, even when it's hard .