Archbishop Iakovos & MLK jr.
Archbishop Iakovos Recalls MLK
“Unlike you and most of you, I was not born in the United States to live and enjoy democracy. I came to the United States from Turkey where I was a third category citizen. So when MLK Jr. had his walk to the courthouse in Selma, Alabama, I decided to join him because I said this is my time to take revenge against all those who oppress people. Upon my return someone called me a traitor. Some others said I should be ashamed of what I have done. Some that I am not an American. Some that I am not a Christian. I know that civil rights and human rights continue to be the most thorny social issues in our nation, but I will stand for both rights – civil and human – for as long as I live. I feel it’s the Christian duty and the duty of a man born as a slave.”