Why do academics call Martin Luther King Jr. a "doctor"?

Question

As cited by renowned researcher Theodore Pappas there is documented evidence that Mr. King plagiarized his doctoral thesis. It's fair to call him Mr. but it is terribly wrong for academics to refer to him as "Dr." because that just makes it look like they endorse plagiarism which should get them fired even if they have tenure.

I don't care if even if the President of the United States decides to plagiarize his academic work. It is still wrong and does not merit a university degree regardless of who the student is.

Answer 1

it doesn't matter how you win it's if you win

Answer 2

First, let the dead alone, especially a dead American hero, someone who is recognized with a national holiday.  Do you have one of those?

IF Dr. King did  plagarize, and it's not really clear that he did, or how much, he wouldn't have been the first to do so.  There are thousands of others you could really hate too, if you had nothing else to do.

Remember that in a dissertation, there is a committee that reviews it, it's the committee's decision to award the doctorate, and pass the student, not future doctorate candidates or those who have a political ax to grind.

He got his Dr. degree the old fashioned way, he had to work hard for it, lot differently from G. W. Bush, who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, had "daddy" pay his way to Yale, where he could drink his fool head off, was a real male cheerleader, while Dr. King was marching to bring civil rights to Americans.