At King’s church, advice on 21st century social activism

ATLANTA (AP) – Longtime members of Martin Luther King Jr.’s church say the new generation of social justice activists is on the right side.

But the new leaders should be better organized, avoid violence and always vote.

It’s a tough balance for the modern movement that has come to the forefront following high-profile killings of black citizens by police. The Black Lives Matter movement grew because of those incidents.

But many activists also bemoan widespread economic inequality and a criminal justice system that disproportionately affects minorities.

That makes the movement more easily rocked by events like the Dallas massacre of five police officer, even though the shooter was a lone actor.

At King’s Ebenzer Baptist Church, 76-year-old Thelma McClendon says young activists must define what they want to be successful.

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