Magnificent, deeply felt essay that reclaims Dr King's legacy for African-Americans and reminds us that his major accomplishment was not making white people act nicer to Black people.

What he actually did was help people overcome their fear:

That is what Dr. King did—not march, not give good speeches. He crisscrossed the south organizing people, helping them not be afraid, and encouraging them, like Gandhi did in India, to take the beating that they had been trying to avoid all their lives.  

Once the beating was over, we were free.

It wasn't the Civil Rights Act, or the Voting Rights Act or the Fair Housing Act that freed us. It was taking the beating and thereafter not being afraid. 

By the way, Rohit stashed this article, too:

http://pandawhale.com/post/36196/daily-kos-most-of-you-have-no-idea-what-martin-luther-king-actually-did