Nonviolent resistance and realistic pacifism were more than an intellectual assent, but rather a way of life for Martin Luther King Jr. The profound dedication that King exemplifies is a testament to the power of love in the face injustice. King notes in his work Pilgrimage to Nonviolence, of the process of meticulously surveying the works of other philosophical thinkers in search of something to medicate his religious, and personal dilemma when addressing philosophical perspectives. Ghandi’s nonviolent resistance has made a lasting impact on King, which has made a tremendous influence in African American rights. King firmly believes in the strength, and change that is consistent with nonviolent resistance in the face of objection. The responses …show more content…
The second argument is found through how the power of love can aid in solving social issues. It solves these issues as it does not use violent measures to attain its goals, and hopes to gain friendship in the resolution of the problem. The power of love makes for lasting transformation. Social issues can be addressed through individuals receiving violence, but never perpetuating any themselves. Agape, is a Greek word for love which comes with the understanding that all things are interrelated and that there is “no distinction between friend and enemy” (105). To hate another man is to bring yourself down. It is a love that is not individually driven, but …show more content…
The third argument King has in favour of nonviolent resistance is in how it creates a stage for oppressed groups to speak their truths. King views nonviolent resistance as the only morally sound method in addressing these issues. When reading this, I found it to be slightly unclear, however, I have concluded that it is because hate breeds hate, which is why a different approach is needed being nonviolent resistance. This would prove to be a powerful movement, but frustrating as one must expect to face various forms of violence but stay in a state of peace within oneself. In intentionally placing oneself in violent scenarios and not having to endure extreme mistreatment in attempt to address another. These three arguments are some of the benefits that King touches on as to how it led him to his dedication to nonviolent resistance and realistic pacifism. Through Kings search for a philosophical perspective, he faced some objections of nonviolent resistance, which ended up strengthening his belief in the
In response to the accusation of being an outside agitator, King said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" (Evans 32). He mocked the notion that he was responsible if nonviolence provoked violence from those in authority. "Isn't it like condemning a robbed man because his possession of money precipitated an evil act of robbery?" (Evans 32).
King’s teaching of Nonviolent Civil Disobedience was best tactic because fighting violence with violence creates more problems where his teachings combated the whites’ violence without being
It is a weapon unique in history, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals. Both a practical and a moral answer to the Negro’s cry for justice, nonviolent direct action proved that it could win victories without losing wars, and so became the triumphant tactic of the Negro Revolution of 1963” (12). I believe that this paragraph is a perfect way to summarize what King discusses in his book. He emphasized the importance of nonviolence and his belief on it.
King States that “oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever” and in his time and in our time this statement remains true. (260). During King’s time there was a fight
King writes to the eight clergymen who were critical of his protests and to the indifferent people of the United States. In the essay, he claims that he has done nothing wrong by protesting peacefully. In paragraph 11, King says “freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” He is saying that freedom is something they have to fight for because the authorities will not give it to them. He is directing this statement at the clergymen while reaching the apathetic people of the United States.
In “A Letter From A Birmingham Jail” Martin Luther King Jr defends his use of nonviolent protest in order to accomplish racial equality. In the letter, Dr. King uses ethos, diction, and allusions when defending nonviolent protest which makes his argument really strong. His goal is to make the clergymen help him fight racial equality. He uses ethos to build up credibility.
The way of nonviolence.” (Lewis and Aydin 73 book 1). Lewis took his spiritual values and helped his community by preaching the way King did and standing up for equal rights. This was the moment he would learn about nonviolent
Cesar Chavez wrote a piece in the magazine of religious organization on the ten year anniversary of Martin Luther King. He starts off saying that Dr. King was a very powerful man with nonviolent means. Throughout his writing he gives many example of why nonviolence will ultimately succeed over violent means, and give of many appeals of emotional, logical, creditable justification. Dr. King may have dies, but with his death only more power has come to the peaceful citizens of the world.
and they need to fight. Nothing else is working so fighting is the only working option. Dr. King’s purpose to this speech is to get out the word that the people need to fight with nonviolence. “We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence.” Martin Luther King is famous for fighting for equality using non violence.
In order to achieve true freedom one must discover that you can break unjust laws through peaceful protest. In “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and “The Speech at The March Washington” by Josephine Baker each article passionately argues about the disadvantages of the black community, the equality and power of education. We must learn to act with patients and not guns we must protect are self’s with a pen and paper not violence. Dr. King once4 said “Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. It is unique in history which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it.
On the tenth anniversary of King’s assassination, a labor union organizer and civil rights leader, Cesar Chavez published an article in a magazine, further preaching nonviolence. Cesar Chavez tries to tell the people that nonviolence is the key to beneficial and effective change. He mentions that King’s actions were an example of the strength that nonviolence holds. He strengthens his
Another interesting topic that the two pieces seem to diverge on is the idea of “self-purification” (King paragraph 6). Dr. King makes that claim that self-purification is an essential component of forming a non-violent direct-action campaign, sharing that “we decided to undertake a process of self-purification… we began a
In order to further prove that nonviolence is the way to stop racism and gain equality, Dr. King writes: “I'm grateful to God that, through the Negro church, the dimension of nonviolence entered our struggle. If this philosophy had not emerged, I am convinced that by now many streets of the South would be flowing with floods of blood” (). In this quote, Dr. King once again argues that non violence and peace are the best ways to stop the cycle of violence. The phrase “the dimension of nonviolence entered our struggle” shows that even though they are struggling, nonviolence can help them.
The great glory of America democracy is the right to protest for right.” This quote means that King thought citizens should not use violence or commit violent acts to get what they want. King is saying how peaceful protests is the key to winning, and it leads to success. Violence is not the answer to having freedom for African-American citizens, and won’t solve the big issue here. King’s nonviolent method was inspired under the influence of the Indian leader Mohandas K. Gandhi.
With the help of these four steps, he justifies the need for the demonstration. King illustrates the city of Birmingham as “the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States,” (King 2). Here King is able to show that injustices are present in Birmingham, which further justifies his reason for a peaceful demonstration. King proceeds to speak about his method of protesting. He states that negotiation was not met, and that “[their] hopes had been blasted,” that like “victims of a broken promise,” their wishes had been disregarded, (King 2).