Encyclopedia article about streets named after the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. which are common and controversial landscape features. Although one finds these streets in towns and cities across the country, they are most prevalent in Georgia. This is not surprising, given that so many civil rights organizations, campaigns, and leaders--including King himself--originated in the state. Black activists frequently encounter controversy when attempting to name or rename streets after King. These controversies expose continuing divisions between blacks and whites as well as social tensions within the African American community. Location plays a central role in many of these struggles. Community leaders debate which street is most appropriate to identify with King's memory and whether that street should cut through prominent business districts and unite white and black communities.

The Civil Rights Digital Library received support from a National Leadership Grant for Libraries awarded to the University of Georgia by the Institute of Museum and Library Services for the aggregation and enhancement of partner metadata.

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Cite as: "Martin Luther King Jr. Streets in Georgia," New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved [date]: http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org.

Forms part of the New Georgia Encyclopedia.