America's Legacy: A nation reflects on race relations on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

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US President Donald Trump insists he's not a racist. Global outrage over remarks attributed to him about Africa and Haiti prompted him to speak out. But, as the U-S marks Martin Luther King Day, many African-Americans say the damage is done. CGTN's Owen Fairclough reports.

Commemorating Martin Luther King's birthday days after President Donald Trump's latest scandal - allegedly using vulgar terms to describe Africa and Haiti.

OWEN FAIRCLOUGH WASHINGTON "Donald Trump insists he's no racist, and whatever the accuracy of the comments he made about African nations, they struck a raw nerve in one of Washington's prominent African American communities - on a day when they're commemorating a civil rights icon."

"Trump is a racist, and he can call it whatever he thinks he's not. He is!"

"He's openly racist."

"Black people have been marginalized for years, centuries even. And it's about time we stood back up for it."

Trump says he used tough language but not the term attributed to him by some of those present when he spoke, adding: "I am not a racist. I am the least racist person you have ever interviewed."

Trump also dedicated his weekly address to Martin Luther King.

DONALD TRUMP U.S. PRESIDENT "It is the dream of a nation faithful to its founding principle that we are all created equal."

But for the Dr. King's daughter, the damage has already been done.

BERNICE KING MARTIN LUTHER KING'S DAUGHTER "We cannot allow the nations of the world to embrace the comments from our president as a reflection of the true spirit of America."

The furor over Trump's remarks have overshadowed annual tributes to the man who paid for the fight against racism with his life, as well as a pressing question about immigration.

What will happen to the program? That has allowed the thousands of children of illegal immigrants to remain in the United States. OFA, CGTN, Washington.