The disingenuous use of MLK to support a hateful agenda is sickening. Given how many people of that mindset are happy to believe repeated falsehoods, I'm not sure why they bother, because even their favorite MLK quote is a little dangerous to their agenda. But it's still deeply depressing. I am not sure it is more depressing than the wealthy bigoted "Christian" spreading hatred of everyone (not just on racial grounds) and selfishness over generosity, but at least we're used to that kind of hypocrisy, plus there's a bit more cultural knowledge about what to quote to throw their hypocrisy in their face--Matthew 19:24 or John 8:7 or Luke 10:30-37.

Do you have an insight as to a way forward, though? I find it difficult to envision one, if even MLK is used to divide rather than unite. The greatest danger I think is growth of support for the more intolerant and reactionary sides of conservativism--and social media is spectacularly good at growing reactionary movements.

It may not be possible to stop hate dressed up as tolerance, but if its distastefulness is recognized and put on full display, perhaps it can be socially isolated and left to dwindle, at thereby the degree of harm it can do can be diminished.