If MLK had lived to see the 90s he'd be viewed like Jesse Jackson by many people who claim to love him today. Real talk. His death sanitized him by allowing people to focus on one specific part of his legacy while ignoring the rest. This is why people today get away with the "MLK was a republican" bullshit. Even 30 minutes of half assed research would make it very clear that MLK supported LBJ's Great Society programs, supported wealth redistribution, supported a guaranteed income for all Americans, supported Planned Parenthood, etc. Does that sound like a conservative to anyone - even a George Romney conservative? Was he a democrat? No. He never endorsed a political candidate. But his views are clearly on the liberal to socialist side.
I disagree with AiA on MLK/Obama. If MLK was alive he would have railed hard against our foreign policy, the NSA, etc; he wouldn't be like Sharpton, kissing up to the left on MSNBC. He wouldn't give a shit about getting invited to the White House, although I'm sure he would have met with Obama many times (thus upsetting right wingers). At the same time MLK would be helping the poor sign up for Obamacare, register to vote, attacking right wing attempts to dismantle government programs, etc.
What do these people think MLK would have thought about the Rodney King situation? Or Trayvon Martin? I can already imagine the "MLK had a spark when he started but now he's just garbage" attacks from O'Reilly, accusations that he was contradicting his dream speech, etc.