On June 21, 1965, only three years before he was assassinated, Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., arrived at Palisadoes Airport on a visit to Jamaica, where he received the Key to the City of Kingston and made a speech to graduates of the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies in which he said, “In Jamaica I feel like a human being!”
At the time of his visit, civil rights leader Dr. King had already made some 2,000 speeches, authored five books, led huge marches against injustice in the United States, had been named “Man of the Year” by Time magazine, and had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Here are 10 things to know about Dr. King’s notable visit to the island :
1. An Invitation from UWI
Dr King’s visit to Jamaica was not an official state visit but was arranged by the University of the West Indies, which invited him to deliver its annual valedictory sermon to the graduating class of 1965.
2. Dr. E. Anthony Allen’s Role
Dr. E. Anthony Allen, then a medical student and a member of the Chapel Management Committee at the University of the West Indies, played a pivotal role in nominating Dr King for the honour. His dream of bringing the civil rights leader to Jamaica became a reality.
Rev Dr Martin Luther King (left) at UWI on June 20, 1965 (Detail from Ken Richards photo)
3. An Unscripted Sermon
Dr King delivered his valedictory sermon, titled “Facing the Challenge of a New Age,” entirely without notes, showcasing his remarkable oratory skills.
4. A Famous Exhortation
One of Dr King’s most celebrated quotes was featured in his sermon:
“If it falls to your lot to be a street-sweeper, sweep streets like Raphael painted pictures, like Michelangelo carved marble, like Shakespeare wrote poetry, and like Beethoven composed music. Sweep the streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth would pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street-sweeper.’”
5. Dinner with Dignitaries
After his sermon, Dr King attended a dinner at King’s House, hosted by Governor-General Sir Clifford Campbell and Lady Campbell. Later, he delighted 500 guests with a surprise appearance at a reception at the home of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) director.
6. The Key to the City
The following day, Dr King gave another speech at Jamaica’s National Stadium, where he was awarded the Keys to the City of Kingston in recognition of his contributions to the civil rights movement.
7. Honouring Marcus Garvey
Dr King paid tribute to Jamaican National Hero Marcus Garvey, laying a wreath at his tomb. He credited Garvey with giving African-Americans a “sense of personhood, a sense of manhood, a sense of somebodiness.”
8. A Celebration of Multicultural Unity
Dr King and his wife, Coretta, spent ten days exploring the island. He praised Jamaica’s motto, “Out of Many, One People,” saying, “Here, people from many national backgrounds—Chinese, Indians, Negroes, Europeans—live together as one big family of Jamaicans. I hope America can one day follow Jamaica’s example.”
9. A Favourite Retreat
According to Andrew Young, Dr King’s former aide and later US Ambassador to the United Nations, Jamaica was one of Dr King’s favourite places to visit. Young revealed that King visited the island almost every year and wrote most of his books there.
10. A Rare Glimpse of Relaxation
An article in Ebony magazine featured photos of Dr King and Coretta on holiday in Jamaica. It described him as uncharacteristically casual, working in pyjamas, a bathrobe, and slippers, and often skipping a shave.
Dr Martin Luther King Jr.’s visit to Jamaica remains a cherished moment in the island’s history. His admiration for the country’s unity and culture, coupled with his powerful messages, continues to inspire Jamaicans and people worldwide.
Photo Source: Deposit Photos, Bernice King
