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

Andrew Young, the former U.N. ambassador and Atlanta mayor, is often relegated to a supporting role in the narrative of Martin Luther King Jr.'s civil rights movement. However, in Rachel Maddow's new documentary "Andrew Young: The Dirty Work," the 93-year-old Young takes center stage to reveal his pivotal yet underappreciated contributions.

According to Young himself, King believed that he needed more people around him who were willing to challenge the status quo and do "the dirty work" – tasks that required grit, determination, and a willingness to confront difficult situations. These were individuals who couldn't adjust easily to segregation or other forms of oppression, but instead chose to upset things.

Young embodied this description, often shouldering responsibilities that others didn't want to tackle. He was the one who successfully argued against an injunction that prohibited King from marching in Memphis on behalf of Black sanitation workers. When he returned to the Lorraine Motel after a long day, King quipped that Young had been trying to "keep his behind out of jail."

The documentary also showcases Young's role in maintaining order during King's funeral procession, where he wore a blue denim jacket to keep the crowd safe and orderly.

While some may view Young's approach as too well-adjusted or less confrontational, Maddow's documentary presents him as a necessary cog in the civil rights machine. Without Young's behind-the-scenes efforts, the movement might not have been effective.

But what's striking is that this same playbook of "dirty work" is being used today by forces trying to suppress dissent and silence marginalized voices. Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently deployed the National Guard to quell protests, essentially employing a similar strategy to one employed by Young decades ago.

The lesson here isn't that we need more people like Andy Young but rather that this approach can be effective in challenging fascism and upholding democratic values. It highlights the importance of both radical, countercultural leaders who challenge the status quo and pragmatic negotiators who keep things moving through difficult times.

As Young so eloquently puts it, making America better requires someone willing to do "the dirty work." The question is: can we find people who are willing to take on this role in today's climate of increasing authoritarianism?

I mean, I was watching this doc about Andy Young and I'm thinking... back in my day, we had our share of 'dirty work' too. Remember the '68 Detroit riots? People were getting hurt, property was being destroyed... it was chaos. But you know who showed up on the scene? The police, the National Guard... they were like the unsung heroes, keeping everyone safe while the protesters were getting out of control.

And let's not forget the activists themselves! They'd often organize marches and rallies that could get pretty rowdy. I mean, remember those '70s anti-war protests? People were shouting, screaming... it was intense. But amidst all that chaos, there were always people like Andy Young, working behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly.

Fast forward to today, and it's interesting to see how some of the same tactics are being used by... let's say, 'other' groups. I'm not saying they're exactly following in Andy Young's footsteps, but you get what I mean. It's like, we need people who can bridge the gap between radical activists and pragmatic politicians.

I think what this doc is trying to say is that, no matter how different our times may seem, there are always going to be people willing to do 'the dirty work.' And that's what keeps democracy alive, right? So yeah, let's hope we can find some modern-day Andy Youngs out there... or at least people who can hold down the fort while everyone else is shouting about something!

I gotta say, I'm really impressed by Andrew Young's underplayed contributions to the civil rights movement . It's like, he was literally the behind-the-scenes operator who kept everything together while MLK was out front, getting all the attention . And yeah, let's be real, it's easy to see how this "dirty work" approach can be used against marginalized voices today . But at the same time, I think there's a valuable lesson here about needing both radical leaders and pragmatic negotiators . We need people who are willing to challenge the system and those who can keep us moving forward when it gets tough . Can we find more of that kind of leadership today?

I feel like Andrew Young's story is being rediscovered at the right time. It's so true that his contributions were underappreciated for a long time, but now it's like he's finally getting the recognition he deserves. I love how Maddow's doc shows him in a new light - not just as a yes-man to King, but as someone who was willing to roll up his sleeves and get things done.

It's crazy to think that some of the same tactics that worked for Young all those years ago are being used today to try and silence protests. It's like we're living in a real-life thriller movie. I do hope that people can learn from Andy Young's example, though - that sometimes it takes someone who's not necessarily the most flashy or charismatic person to get things done.

And you know what really gets me? The fact that this story isn't just about one person, but about a whole generation of folks who were willing to do "the dirty work" to fight for justice. It's like we're reminded that social change often comes from people doing the hard work behind the scenes, rather than seeking the spotlight.

I think what's really interesting about this story is how Andrew Young's approach can be seen as a double-edged sword. On one hand, his ability to keep things moving and maintain order was crucial to the success of the civil rights movement. But on the other hand, it also highlights the ways in which those in power will try to suppress dissent and silence marginalized voices.

It's not about finding people like Andy Young, but rather about recognizing that there are often gray areas between radical activism and pragmatic negotiation. We need a balance between challenging the status quo and keeping things moving forward.

omg did you know i just got the most amazing new pair of sunglasses they're literally the best thing that's happened to my life since last saturday i mean seriously i was out with friends and we were all laughing and having a great time but then one of them spilled an entire drink on me and i was like "seriously?!" but anyway back to this documentary about Andrew Young i think it's really cool that he gets more recognition now for his role in the civil rights movement

I'm not surprised by the parallels between the past and present. It's all about finding that balance between radical change and keeping the momentum going . We need more people like Andrew Young, but we also need to acknowledge that some tough decisions have to be made to keep the progress moving

I'm still not convinced about these new docs, you know? I mean, they're always trying to humanize some old dude and make them sound like heroes... but what about the other players? What about the folks who were actually out there protesting and risking it all? I guess Andrew Young's "dirty work" might be necessary sometimes, but can't we also celebrate the people who are pushing boundaries and challenging the system right now? It feels like we're always looking for someone else to save the day...

I'm low-key impressed by Andrew Young's underappreciated contributions to the civil rights movement. Like, he was literally the glue that held everything together while King was all about the grand speeches . And can we talk about how prophetic this is for today's times? The playbook of "dirty work" being used to silence dissent and marginal voices is just, like, so not cool . But at the same time, I think it's a reminder that sometimes you need people who are willing to get their hands dirty to keep things moving forward . We need both radical leaders who challenge the status quo and pragmatic negotiators who can keep us from imploding . So yeah, let's give it up for Andy Young – he might not have been the most glamorous guy, but he got the job done .

I'm thinking the documentary about Andrew Young is giving me a lot to think about . It's crazy how often his contributions are overlooked, but at the same time, I get why some might see him as too calm for the civil rights movement. I mean, can you imagine someone taking on that role today? It's wild to think about how similar approaches are being used by forces trying to silence people now. It's all about finding a balance between challenging the status quo and keeping things moving forward. We need both radical leaders and pragmatic negotiators right now. And honestly, it's kinda refreshing to see someone like Young getting the recognition he deserves .

I think what's really interesting about this story is how Andrew Young's contributions were always seen as secondary to Martin Luther King Jr.'s, even though he was doing some pretty crucial work behind the scenes. It makes me wonder if that's still happening today with other figures in history - people who are making sacrifices and taking risks for the movement, but aren't getting the recognition they deserve.

And yeah, I can see how Young's approach could be seen as a bit too smooth or diplomatic, especially when compared to some of the more radical leaders we've had throughout history. But at the same time, I think it's really important that we have people like Young who are able to navigate complex situations and keep things from falling apart.

It's also kind of scary how similar the playbook is between then and now - using force to suppress dissent, deploying the National Guard to quell protests... it's like they're trying to recreate a similar environment.

I don't think we need more people like Andy Young exactly, but I do think we need more people who are willing to take on that "dirty work" role in a way that is nuanced and thoughtful. We need leaders who can challenge the status quo without resorting to violence or authoritarianism.

It's not an easy job, but someone has to do it...

idk what i think about this kinda stuff but it makes me wonder if we need more ppl like andy young or just more vocal leaders. like, rachell maddow's doc is cool and all but doesn't really answer the question on whether we need more "dirty work" or not. maybe it's a mix of both? i mean, ppl like king were instrumental in changing history, but then u gotta have ppl who can navigate the politics and keep the movement going. what's scary is that this kinda approach has been used before to suppress dissent, so it's good to remember where we've been

I'm actually kinda disappointed in the way these documentaries often gloss over the fact that there were people like Andrew Young doing all the behind-the-scenes work to make the movement happen. I mean, don't get me wrong, Maddow's doc is solid and all, but it feels like we're only learning about this 'dirty work' because it's being used by, say, authoritarian regimes today. Like, what about people who are actually doing that kind of work? The reality is, there aren't many of us who can just go around confronting oppression without being, you know, arrested or worse. So yeah, let's not romanticize this stuff, but at the same time, I think it's still super important to recognize the importance of people like Young in making progress

Andy Young was the unsung hero of the civil rights movement . Without him, King wouldn't have had a team behind the scenes to keep things moving . What's concerning is that his approach is still being used today to silence dissent . We need both radicals and pragmatists now more than ever

I feel like the more I learn about Andrew Young, the more I see him as a master strategist . He was all about finding that balance between being radical and being practical . Like, he knew when to push boundaries and when to keep things together .

But what really gets me is how this plays out today. The Texas Governor using similar tactics? It's like history is repeating itself... but with a twist . I think it's so important for us to recognize that the same playbook can be used for good or ill. We need both types of leaders: the ones who shake things up and the ones who keep them from imploding .

For me, this is all about finding a way to channel that "dirty work" energy into something positive . Can we train more people to be like Andy Young? Maybe not in every sense . But I think what we can do is create spaces where people feel empowered to take on difficult challenges and push for change .

Oh, and one more thing: if anyone wants a diagram of the whole "dirty work" strategy, I can try to sketch it out... maybe with some ASCII art .

I think what really gets me is how the way they're portraying Andy Young as some kind of behind-the-scenes hero who just happened to show up at the right time. Like, sure, he did his job and all, but let's not forget that there were already people like Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and Fannie Lou Hamer doing "the dirty work" before him. They were the ones breaking chains, facing down segregationists, and taking concrete actions to bring about change.

It's easy to romanticize Young's role in the civil rights movement because it was so neatly packaged into this narrative of "hero" vs. "villain". But what about all the complexities, the struggles, and the compromises that came with building a movement like that? It's not just one person doing some neat tricks to get things done – it's a whole web of relationships, alliances, and confrontations.

And now we're seeing this same playbook being used by people trying to silence dissent. Like, okay, sure, using National Guardsmen to suppress protests is an effective way to quash free speech. But what does that say about our democracy? Shouldn't we be looking for ways to amplify marginalized voices, not shut them down?

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that we need a more nuanced understanding of "the dirty work". It's not just some one person doing some behind-the-scenes job – it's an entire ecosystem of social movements, activism, and community organizing. And if we want to build a better world, we need to start recognizing the complexity and messiness of it all

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this docu about Andrew Young. Like, I know he wasn't the one with all the big speeches and stuff, but it's crazy how much impact he had behind the scenes. It makes me think that you don't always need to be the face of a movement to make a difference.

What's really unsettling is seeing this same "dirty work" thing being used today to squash protests and silence marginalized voices. I mean, we're basically using the same tactics that were used back then, but in reverse. It's like, what happened? Did we learn nothing?

I guess the point is that sometimes you need people who are willing to get their hands dirty to keep things moving, even when it's hard. But at the same time, I don't want us to be like those forces trying to suppress dissent either. We need a balance between radical change and keeping things from getting too out of hand.

I'm still thinking about this...

I don't usually comment but I'm kinda blown away by how relevant Andrew Young's story is today . It's crazy to think that the same approach he took all those years ago is being used by governments trying to silence dissent now . The fact that Maddow's documentary brings this to light and makes you realize that it's not just about one person doing "the dirty work" but also about creating a system where people can feel safe to challenge the status quo is really powerful . It's like, we need both leaders who are willing to take risks and people who are good at navigating complex situations . Can't help but wonder if we're just looking for the same qualities in our next generation of change-makers

I'm loving this doc on Andy Young, he's been doing the dirty work for our civil rights movement and then some. People forget that just because someone isn't as flashy as Martin Luther King Jr., it doesn't mean they're not making a difference . Young was like the behind-the-scenes superhero who kept everything running smoothly while others were out front trying to draw attention.

And let's be real, his approach might seem old-school but in today's climate of all-out pushback against dissenting voices, someone needs to take on that role . I mean, Texas Governor Abbott deploying the National Guard? That's some dirty work right there . It just goes to show that we need people like Andy Young now more than ever.

I'm so glad Maddow is giving him the spotlight he deserves. We often forget about the unsung heroes who make the real progress in movements like this . Let's give it up for Andy Young and all the other quiet revolutionaries out there

I think it's pretty interesting how the documentary about Andrew Young is bringing attention to his often-overlooked contributions to the civil rights movement. Like, who knew he was such a behind-the-scenes hero? But what really got me was when they compared his approach to, like, modern-day authoritarianism and suppression of dissent. It's crazy how some tactics from the past are still being used today. I think it's super important to recognize the importance of both radical leaders who challenge the status quo (totally necessary!) and pragmatic negotiators who keep things moving when it gets tough. We need more people willing to do "the dirty work" – I mean, who is ready to take on that role in today's climate?