A Letter From A Birmingham Jail

1. 88

   GA Andersonposted 4 years ago

   I have held off for four days, but, I was so impressed I had to relent and post a comment about it.
   
   Of course, I am speaking of Martin Luther King Jr.'s letter. I was familiar, (as I think most are), with various quotes from the letter, such as; "justice too long delayed is justice denied . . . " and others, but I am chastized to admit that I had never read the actual letter.
   
   Now I have. My opinion of MLK has soared. Imagine, from a jail cell with no Google or reference library to confirm his memory of quotes, and no taint of animosity for the situation of writing from a jail cell, and speaking to clergy that he rightfully would have expected to support him; his eloquence and depth of thought are nothing short of astounding.
   
   Come on folks, give it a read. Tell what you think. Am I exaggerating the force that was Martin Luther King Jr.?
   
   A Letter From A Birmingham Jail
   
   GA

   replyreport
   1. 79

      Credence2posted 4 years agoin reply to this

      What could have possibly possess you to introduce so prickly pear of a topic for so many that just as soon no have their world disturbed on this fine Sunday morning?
      
      I have been busy staying 2 steps ahead of Dorian, quite the blowhard.
      
      You are not becoming "militant" are you.
      
      One thing for certain, Dr. King's jailers did not deny him plenty of pen and paper.
      --------------------
      "Lamentably, it is an historical fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily. Individuals may see the moral light and voluntarily give up their unjust posture; but, as Reinhold Niebuhr has reminded us, groups tend to resist."
      
      "We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed".
      
      These are important observations that has application over social economic struggles as well. That is why one must be suspicious of the fox telling the chickens how to best organize their coop.
      -----------------
      when you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six year old daughter why she can't go to the public amusement park that has just been advertised on television, and see tears welling up in her eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children, and see ominous clouds of inferiority beginning to form in her little mental sky, and see her beginning to distort her personality by developing an unconscious bitterness toward white people; when you have to concoct an answer for a five year old son who is asking: "Daddy, why do white people treat colored people so mean?"
      
      I could have been either of  "those kids". But I am now a happy warrior. In all fairness, the "South" of today, is on the whole, quite delightful. People here seem more authentic than in other regions of the country. Regarding race relations, they are no worse than other parts of the country. Many more embraced the changes in a more heartfelt way, rather than a mere superficial accommodation. Coming from the West, I could make objective comparisons.
      ------------------
      
      "I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection."
      
      That is my problem with "moderates". What possible use would I have for a sink full of dish soap, when changes are needed that may well "upset the apple cart"?

      replyreport
      1. 60

         Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         

         replyreport
         1. 79

            Credence2posted 4 years agoin reply to this

            The point is L to L, who asked you?
            
            Your knee jerk reaction and attitudes in regards to this topic you have made quite clear.

            replyreport
         2. 0

            PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            Wow, that's....I don't have words to describe how small this is.

            replyreport
      2. 88

         GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         I think you ended your comment with some mixed-up aphorisms Cred. What does dish soap have to do with an apple cart? Or with "white moderates"?
         
         But, MLK Jr.'s "white moderates" condemnations did give me pause.
         
         GA

         replyreport
         1. 79

            Credence2posted 4 years agoin reply to this

            Moderates in principle are akin to a sink full of dish soap, milquetoast in the situation where committed objectives and action is required. ( I guess that I made it up)
            
            The apple cart is the status quo. King was very eloquent in explaining that he received "plenty" of "good will" as long as he did nothing to make change happen. Those were the white moderates. I criticize a great deal of the current Democratic hopefuls for President for the same thing.

            replyreport
            1. 88

               GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               Yes bud, I can see that you "made that up," but take a bit of advice--it is not your forte. ;-)
               
               As for the "moderates" thing, I am waffling, I will hold to a belief in the value of moderate views, but I will strive to avoid moderate, (as in half-steppin') actions.
               
               For instance; relative to his lamenting the lack of action from white moderate politicians, I would adopt your description of "milquetoast" as an appropriate description.
               
               I will hold onto my perception of the value of moderate views, but I will not tolerate milquetoast actions relative to those views.
               
               GA

               replyreport
2. 0

   PrettyPantherposted 4 years ago

   Martin Luther King, Jr. was an extraordinary man of great conviction and courage.

   replyreport
   1. 88

      GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      I think most of us also hold that thought, but I had no idea of the caliber of his mind before reading this letter.
      
      My intent wasn't to promote any particular aspect of his letter, it was to recognize a superior perspective. No complaint about being jailed. No expressed animosity for a lack of support from 'brothers of the cloth', and no harsh words for his struggle, just an elegant explanation of position.
      
      As mentioned, I held off for four days, but I was just too impressed not to comment and acknowledge the force of the mind that wrote it.
      
      GA

      replyreport