Includes bibliographical references and index.

The life of Martin Luther King, Jr. / Contemporary Black biography -- In his last year, Martin Luther King was a controversial figure / Kate Ellis and Stephen Smith -- Martin Luther King speaks to a crowd the day before his assassination / Martin Luther King, Jr. -- Details emerge of the assassination's plot / William Sorrels -- Riots break out in the wake of the assassination / Baltimore sun -- King's assassination inspired numerous conspiracy theories / James Polk -- There is evidence of a conspiracy to kill Martin Luther King, Jr. / Mary Ferrell Foundation -- James Earl Ray fooled the King family into believing in his innocence / David J. Garrow -- King's assassination and the subsequent riots provided the impetus for civil rights legislation / Nick Kotz -- King's assassination hurt the Poor People's Campaign / Peter Ling -- King's assassination provided a window of opportunity for the Poor People's Campaign / Gordon Keith Mantler -- King's dream has transformed America / America.gov -- King's dream remains unfulfilled / Svend White -- King's wife says his life was in danger during his last year / Coretta Scott King -- A presidential candidate asks people to respond to King's death with love and wisdom / Robert F. Kennedy -- A writer remembers the tragedy of King's death / James Baldwin -- Witnesses recall the riots in Washington, D.C., following King's death / Virginia Ali and George Pelecanos, interviewed by Denise Kersten Wills.

Discusses the life and assassination of the famous civil rights leader, including the controversies surrounding his death and the impact it had on the African American community.