With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Fortnite Is Letting You Relive MLK's 'I Have A Dream' Speech

History is no game, but the developers of Fortnite are adding an iconic moment featuring Martin Luther King Jr. to the popular video game — and some people worry it sends the wrong message about the civil rights leader.
Fortnite said it is partnering with TIME Studios to go back in time, adding a new virtual experience featuring King's "I Have A Dream" speech. The experience, called "March Through Time," teleports players back to a "reimagined" Washington, D.C., in 1963 — where King delivered the speech during the March on Washington.
Throughout the game, players will travel to the Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall, where King gave his famous speech.
"March Through Time" includes collaborative mini-game quests, popup galleries and educational resources. The museum-inspired points of interest along with its historical imagery are intended to give context to King's historic speech, Fortnite said in a news release.
The activities featured in the game will progress players through the experience while bringing to life important themes of the speech.
The new feature has received some negative reactions across social media — some people are worried that King would be remembered by younger gamers as the "Fortnite guy" and not an activist.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
Martin Luther King is gonna be remembered by kids as "the fortnite guy" now https://t.co/V82BGQxuab
— 𝖪̶𝖾̶𝗇̶𝗌̶𝗁̶𝗂̶𝗇̶ (@A2KenshinYT) August 26, 2021
"Oh cool, we got the day off, I wonder what holiday it is?"
— stapler_matt (@stapler_matt) August 26, 2021
"You know that one guy from fortnite? They made a whole holiday about him." https://t.co/VguZL9IvmO
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember.
-
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain.
-
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care.
-
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings.
-
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past.
-
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.