Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Kings five most important accomplishments

1.) King wanted people to understand that in Birmingham there was injustice. He proved that by giving many examples of injustice and mistreatment.

-He quoted "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." King was not comfortable sitting back without worry about what was happening in Birmingham.

-Many stores posted racial signs that were offensive. Promises were made to have them removed and it never took place.

-King had seen mobs lynch parents, drown siblings, colored people were banned from amusement parks and parents had to explain this to their children. King was clearly fed up and it was obvious by the following statement. "There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs over, and men are no longer willing to be plunged into the abyss of despair. I hope, sirs, you can understand our legitimate and unavoidable impatience."

2.) King was seeking peace and equality. He did not want any misunderstanding of that. For that reason, he took certain steps to prevent violence in his movement.

-Had a self-purification process to make sure they were ready to accept violence against them without reacting in the same way. During the process they held nonviolence workshops. The workshops prepared them to accept being assaulted without defense, and prepared them for being incarcerated.

-Felt nonviolent tension was imperative for change to take place.

3.) King made others understand the reason behind his actions and gave valid reasons.

-He was asked by an affiliate in Birmingham to become involved in the nonviolent direct action program if it became necessary, and he agreed.

-"But ,more basically, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here" (ML King)....referenced prophets of the eighth century B.C. The apostle Paul left his village and carried the gospel of Jesus to the Romans. King felt it was his calling to carry the gospel of freedom beyond his hometown.

-"Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue." (ML King)....King was tired of waiting and being ignored.

4.) King was extremely grateful to the white's that supported the movement.

-" I am thankful, however, that some of our white brothers in the south have grasped the meaning of this social revolution and committed themselves to it." (ML King)

-These white supporters marched with blacks and endured the the same punishments. They were even referred to as "dirty nigger lovers."

-"Unlike so many of their moderate brothers and sisters, they have recognized the urgency of the moment and sensed the need for powerful "action" antidotes to combat the disease of segregation."

5.) King believed the black church had a major impact on nonviolence.

-" I am grateful to God that, through the influence of the Negro church, the way of nonviolence became an integral part of our struggle."

-Believed that southern streets would have been flowing with blood if there was no positive support from the black church.

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