Martin Luther King, Jr., (MLK for short) believed that African American economic success and cooperation with whites were necessary to overcome racism.
MLK wanted to achieve an end to segregated society and a world in which people of all races could live and work together as equals.
MLK also gave much focus to the need for economic opportunity for African Americans. In 1967, MLK said, "I think it is necessary for us to realize that we have moved from the era of civil rights to the era of human rights." In December of 1967, MLK began organizing the "Poor People's Campaign," intended to begin with a march on Washington to speak up for better opportunities, better jobs, better homes. Having economic opportunity is a key part of achieving equal rights in a society.
