I went online and found a fuller version. This was from a May 1965 speech to the Negro American Labor Council:

“There must be better distribution of wealth and maybe America must move toward a democratic socialism. Call it what you may, call it democracy, or call it democratic socialism, but there must be a better distribution of wealth within this country for all of God's children."

And here is an excerpt from an address that Martin gave to his staff in Frogmore S.C., in November 1966:

"You can't talk about solving the economic problem of the Negro without talking about billions of dollars. You can't talk about ending the slums without first saying profit must be taken out of slums. You're really tampering and getting on dangerous ground because you are messing with folk then. You are messing with captains of industry.... Now this means that we are treading in difficult water, because it really means that we are saying that something is wrong... with capitalism.... There must be a better distribution of wealth and maybe America must move toward a democratic socialism"

And, from a letter to his fiancée Coretta Scott in 1952: “I imagine you already know that I am much more socialistic in my economic theory than capitalistic.”

As most of us know, young Bernie Sanders attended the 1963 March on Washington, became a member of both SNCC and CORE, and was arrested for demonstrating against segregated housing at his university. Was he consciously emulating MLK when he later, during his political career, chose to term himself a “democratic socialist”?

I can’t answer that, and maybe the answer doesn’t matter much. Great thinkers often reach the same destination independently.

But the fact that MLK described himself as a “democratic socialist” is of great pertinence to the current election. As we know, Bernie and his proposals are still very little known among a majority of black Americans. The support of a substantial proportion of black Americans will be absolutely crucial if Bernie is to achieve the nomination. And I have read commentary to the effect that this community tends to be wary of Democrats who might be perceived as “radical” – they want to put their support behind a winner. Remember that in 2008, most black Americans were reluctant to support Obama until his victory in New Hampshire convinced them that he might win.

So when Bernie supporters go into black communities to acquaint them with Bernie, the common preconception that Bernie is “radical” may present a problem. I think the best way to deal with this would be to meet it head on by pointing out that Bernie is following in the footsteps of Martin Luther King in advocating “democratic socialism”. And he is the only candidate doing so. That right there might open a lot of hearts to Bernie’s message.

Bernie has been fighting the good fight for racial equality and social justice all of his career. When, as mayor of Burlington, he endorsed Jesse Jackson twice for President (in 1984 and 1988), politically he had nothing at all to gain, and a lot to lose in near-lily-white Vermont. But, Bernie being Bernie, he only listened to his inner moral compass. Naturally, his votes in Congress have earned a near-perfect rating from the NAACP. But, unlike the Clintons, who, as a team, have been running for President off-and-on for over two decades, Bernie has had relatively little contact with black communities over the years. That’s why his name recognition is so low, and why aggressive measures to remedy this are so crucial now. Introducing Bernie as a “democratic socialist” follower of Martin Luther King may be a winning strategy.