Twerk for MLK? The Worst Martin Luther King Jr. Party Flyers

A look at invites that use and abuse MLK's likeness.

Jumpoff - This party flyer portrays Martin Luther King Jr. as if he is riding in on a cloud. Every year promoters use King's likeness on their ads. Last year, Bernice King, Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter, said she found the party flyers with her father's likeness absolutely "appalling" and "embarrassing." And we can't blame her. This was not part of his dream. Take a look at how not to celebrate King’s holiday. — Natelege Whaley (@Natelege_)   (Photo: Tauris Digital via Twitter)

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Jumpoff - This party flyer portrays Martin Luther King Jr. as if he is riding in on a cloud. Every year promoters use King's likeness on their ads. Last year, Bernice King, Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter, said she found the party flyers with her father's likeness absolutely "appalling" and "embarrassing." And we can't blame her. This was not part of his dream. Take a look at how not to celebrate King’s holiday. — Natelege Whaley (@Natelege_)   (Photo: Tauris Digital via Twitter)

Sunday Funday - The designer of the flyer for this party at a venue called Eurobar photoshopped an image of Martin Luther King Jr. next to speakers and Ciroc bottles, dice and bootylicious models. Just classy. (Photo: Steezy! via Twitter)

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Sunday Funday - The designer of the flyer for this party at a venue called Eurobar photoshopped an image of Martin Luther King Jr. next to speakers and Ciroc bottles, dice and bootylicious models. Just classy. (Photo: Steezy! via Twitter)

MLK Kickoff - We're not sure if it was part of King's dream, but instead of waiting until the holiday weekend, these party throwers decided to start the festivities off early on a Thursday with "The Official MLK Kickoff Party."  (Photo: Badman of Salone Promo via Twitter)

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MLK Kickoff - We're not sure if it was part of King's dream, but instead of waiting until the holiday weekend, these party throwers decided to start the festivities off early on a Thursday with "The Official MLK Kickoff Party."  (Photo: Badman of Salone Promo via Twitter)

Fruition - The iconic image of Coretta Scott King kissing her husband on the cheek is the backdrop for this flyer. At the very least there was no awkward cutting and pasting, as seen in other party ads. (Photo: MarksMyBarber via Twitter)

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Fruition - The iconic image of Coretta Scott King kissing her husband on the cheek is the backdrop for this flyer. At the very least there was no awkward cutting and pasting, as seen in other party ads. (Photo: MarksMyBarber via Twitter)

Midnight Rumble - Not one, but three images of MLK were cut and pasted onto this design to get the point across that Midnight Rumble is an event worth attending. It almost convinces us that MLK will be the special guest. (Photo: Nemetz Design via Twitter)

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Midnight Rumble - Not one, but three images of MLK were cut and pasted onto this design to get the point across that Midnight Rumble is an event worth attending. It almost convinces us that MLK will be the special guest. (Photo: Nemetz Design via Twitter)

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No Worries Bash - This promotion showed the late leader’s likeness wearing Beats by Dre headphones next to rapper Lil Wayne and a model. (Photo: Ashley McNeal Entertainment via Facebook)

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No Worries Bash - This promotion showed the late leader’s likeness wearing Beats by Dre headphones next to rapper Lil Wayne and a model. (Photo: Ashley McNeal Entertainment via Facebook)

Freedom to Twerk - A party flyer depicting Martin Luther King Jr. as a man throwing up a hand sign and wearing a large medallion chain was recently called “appalling” by his daughter, Bernice King. And it looks like King's head was Photoshopped onto 2 Chainz's body.  (Photo: Mid Michigan Teen Parties via Facebook)

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Freedom to Twerk - A party flyer depicting Martin Luther King Jr. as a man throwing up a hand sign and wearing a large medallion chain was recently called “appalling” by his daughter, Bernice King. And it looks like King's head was Photoshopped onto 2 Chainz's body.  (Photo: Mid Michigan Teen Parties via Facebook)

Strip Club Bash - Graphic designer Jeffrey Darnell outraged many when he showed Martin Luther King Jr. holding bands of money next to a partially nude woman. "It was just supposed to be a promotional thing, it wasn't about disgracing Martin Luther King, it wasn't about that," he told NBC News. (Photo: South Side Graphix via Facebook)

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Strip Club Bash - Graphic designer Jeffrey Darnell outraged many when he showed Martin Luther King Jr. holding bands of money next to a partially nude woman. "It was just supposed to be a promotional thing, it wasn't about disgracing Martin Luther King, it wasn't about that," he told NBC News. (Photo: South Side Graphix via Facebook)

Pre-MLK Day Party - This design places King at the top next to bikini-wearing models and other rappers and reggae artists who have nothing to do with his legacy or dream. (Photo: Blade Entertainment via Facebook)

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Pre-MLK Day Party - This design places King at the top next to bikini-wearing models and other rappers and reggae artists who have nothing to do with his legacy or dream. (Photo: Blade Entertainment via Facebook)

Hands Up With King - A party promoter in Cleveland took a hit for taking King's image for a party ad. This image was eventually removed. (Photo: Eighty81Events.com)

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Hands Up With King - A party promoter in Cleveland took a hit for taking King's image for a party ad. This image was eventually removed. (Photo: Eighty81Events.com)

Photo By Photo: Eighty81Events.com

Free at Last? - Another bad Photoshop job of King on a man’s body wearing jewelry and rings that he was never seen wearing. It also steals a photo of Nicki Minaj. The party is called “Free at Last.” With these images, are we really?  (Photo: The Academy Club via Facebook)

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Free at Last? - Another bad Photoshop job of King on a man’s body wearing jewelry and rings that he was never seen wearing. It also steals a photo of Nicki Minaj. The party is called “Free at Last.” With these images, are we really?  (Photo: The Academy Club via Facebook)