Read the MLK letter from a Birmingham jail and discuss.
Due December 7, 2012
10 comments:
Lori Patterson
said...
From what I could understand from that VERY DRY LONG READ of a letter, hahahaha, which I did not read, but instead researched information so to explain it in dummy terms, it seems as though King is addressing the issues in a statement made by eight white Alabama clergymen, which said basically said that social injustices existed but argued that the battle against racial segregation should be fought solely in the courts, not in the streets. It sounds like a bunch of white clergymen being highly racial, not wanting a black man to advocate anything that he feels is right....and which was and still is right! EQUALITY for ALL humans!
I have also watched a video where colored men and white men come together to talk about race issues. The white man asked the black man why he felt so underpriviledged, and went on to explain how he (the white man) liked black people and didnt treat them any differently. The black man started yelling and said "you will never understand the looks and attention I get when I walk into a department store, you don't understand because you are not me!" he went on to address how sales staff ignores him and security staff pays attention to him.I agree white people cannot see our advantages! THEY ARE THERE!!!!!
First of all the comment about it being a "VERY DRY LONG READ of a letter" upsets me. it its a small example of what Dr. King was having to fight. no one takes the time to understand the other side of the argument so therefore it's easier to take the short cut and rely on here say. The letter that was written may seem "dry and long" but it was a piece of history that made a difference. Being half black and half white i joke about racism but the reality is, most white people even in this day and age dont understand what it's like to be a minority. White people talk about black people "pulling the race card" but they fail to realize that it really is sometimes because "I'm black" even I have had the unfortunate experience of racism and this is a time when people argue it no longer exists. there is unequality for minorities not just black. as long as there are people thinking their race is superior there is going to be unequality.
I love the way Dr. King words his letters and speeches. There is so much symbolism and subtext in what he writes. As I read the letter from the Birmingham jail, I could actually hear him speak it aloud in my head. His style of writing is that unique. With this letter he is admonishing the white clergy on not taking a stand for what was right. Dr. King was frustrated with complacency and those that wanted to maintain the status quo for no reason other than they did not want to be bothered. It seems to me to be funny that even fifty years later, I think that Dr. King would still be frustrated at this nation. His goal was not just for equality for African-Americans but for all races. His vision of the future was a place where race did not matter. We still have a long way to go to meet the dream he so eloquently described in his speech “I have a dream!” Dr. King talked about social apathy and how not standing up to a thing you know is wrong is worse than doing the wrong deed itself. I think this is a great point to bring out. Even though he was using this as an example to chastise the white Christian congregations for their complacency with segregation and the status quo, this philosophy can also be applied to the rest of life as well. What I got out of his speech was that even though the racists were morally wrong in their degradation of the African-Americans, at least they stood up for what they believed and took steps in their best interest. It is worse to be apathetic to what is going on around you and not be involved. How many times have we heard someone in a group of predominantly one ethnicity make a disparaging remark about another without saying, “This is wrong!” How many times have we seen someone of any race or creed being mistreated in word or deed without standing up just because the group did not seem to mind? All of us are guilty of letting things go that we shouldn’t have. Edmund Burke said it best “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”
Being Hispanic in Laveen Arizona, in the 60s and 70s was not that much different than being black. I am old enough to recall some of this racism. I had the misfortune to have experience one form of racism or another during the first half of my elementary school years, although not to the extent as black people did with all the nastiness directed at them, none the less still racism. Recalling my elementary school years, I remember all none white students having to sit at the back of the class room, stopping at the corner store every day after school for a soda and sunflower seeds was no difference, all none white kids were not allowed in the store, we had to go to a side window where we could order our snacks, while all the white kids were allowed to walk in to the store free as a bird. In the letter from the Birmingham jail, MLK is explaining his reasons and the timing for the nonviolent protest against inequality towards none whites, to eight white Alabama clergymen. Dr. King’s choice of words are perfect, the words are strong but not insulting or hurtful. Dr. King was a great man and certainly deserved great respect. His I had a dream speech is one of my favorite. Dr. King wrote” I had a dream that one day little black boys and little white boys and little black girls and little white girls will one day join hand and walk together as brothers and sisters”, that dream has come to reality for the most part, but we still have a long ways to go before we can bring Dr. King’s full dream into full reality.
Yes, letter was long. I think the letter was defending all minorities and Jesus but he was in jail for defending his brothers for the injustice that was happening in Alabama. If the "white" people (those who are racist) of any minority, that they are so afraid of what color the people are, why do they wear clothes that are black, brown, beige and made from china, japan, or other countries. Dr.King said we shouldn't sit back and not defend all people for the injustice out in the world. He defended through the letter with all the quotes from presidents to the Bible versus.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. expressed into very deep meaning and emotion about the passion that he felt on what he was fighting for. He went on to express into specific detail the "morality" and "unjustices" in society - religiously, economically, and politically. I agree with what he said n which "one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws." an where he quotes St. Augustine, that "an unjust law is no law at all." He went on to fight for unity and equality in this country. He did it in a way that was "peaceful" and non-violent. He fought for was right and what he believed in his heart. You have to stand up for what is wrong and set an example for others and for what you believe in and is right for society as a whole. He not only stood up for the injustices of human beings, he also stood up for injustices of government, religion, ecnomics; he fought to make a change not only for "his" people, but for all people. He based his stance on logic, morality, faith, and love. Justice was his goal, equality for all was his vision. He used the philosophies of Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson that made him fight for the preservation of extension of justice.
I liked Martin Luther King Jr.'s letter from the Birmingham jail. I wish he had written more so we could learn more about him and who he was as a person and not just a civil rights leader. I like how in his letter he talked about some of the social injustices going on at the time, and how serious they were. These were basic human needs being obstructed. While Dr. King knew some of his supporters used violence, he was not a supporter of violence and did not use it himself. I think anyone who has not read the letter should read it, because even in the written words, you can hear the voice of a man who was beaten but not broken by a system that truly wanted him broken and gone. I wish he was still around, I think the world would be a better place. The world is a better place because of him.
Racism is institutionalized. It is this deep rigid hole that at one point or another people of color face so I am not surprised when I hear white people complaning about "reverse racism" which i don't think exists because racism is prejudice + power. People of color can be prejudice but they lack power, so I always see the arguements being more about lack of privilege. It's disturbing to me that people think racism no longer exists or that people of color pull the "race card" what is this race card? Where do they hand out such cards? and what are the terms and conditions? My sarcasm obviously doesn't negate from the face that the topic of racism is obviously complex and we can discuss this for a long period of time but it does get frustrating when people of color are accused of being "too sensitive" or pulling the "race card" and having their valid experiences dismissed. I look at the grace and patience that Martin Luther King Jr. handled this with, showcased by the letter. He was elequent, strong and unwavering and I think the letter was much more than that. More of a declaration for people whose rights are invisible.
From what i read i can truly say Dr. King has my highest respect for over coming adversity, depression, survival in racial times. I forgot how intelligent Dr. King was. He drew a line for a high purpose and higher standard for many people. A high equality for me and you. Dr. King had many ties with connections. Organizational ties with christian leadership, alabama movement human rights, non violet direct action program. All to keep the injustice away from black people. His message was clear "whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly".
I love Dr. King self purification steps. These six principles apply to any protest or method whenever you fighting for rights. First Admendment also self-purification go hand and hand, with sister hood and brother hood King had an Organizantion.
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From what I could understand from that VERY DRY LONG READ of a letter, hahahaha, which I did not read, but instead researched information so to explain it in dummy terms, it seems as though King is addressing the issues in a statement made by eight white Alabama clergymen, which said basically said that social injustices existed but argued that the battle against racial segregation should be fought solely in the courts, not in the streets. It sounds like a bunch of white clergymen being highly racial, not wanting a black man to advocate anything that he feels is right....and which was and still is right! EQUALITY for ALL humans!
I have also watched a video where colored men and white men come together to talk about race issues. The white man asked the black man why he felt so underpriviledged, and went on to explain how he (the white man) liked black people and didnt treat them any differently. The black man started yelling and said "you will never understand the looks and attention I get when I walk into a department store, you don't understand because you are not me!" he went on to address how sales staff ignores him and security staff pays attention to him.I agree white people cannot see our advantages! THEY ARE THERE!!!!!
First of all the comment about it being a "VERY DRY LONG READ of a letter" upsets me. it its a small example of what Dr. King was having to fight. no one takes the time to understand the other side of the argument so therefore it's easier to take the short cut and rely on here say. The letter that was written may seem "dry and long" but it was a piece of history that made a difference. Being half black and half white i joke about racism but the reality is, most white people even in this day and age dont understand what it's like to be a minority. White people talk about black people "pulling the race card" but they fail to realize that it really is sometimes because "I'm black" even I have had the unfortunate experience of racism and this is a time when people argue it no longer exists. there is unequality for minorities not just black. as long as there are people thinking their race is superior there is going to be unequality.
I love the way Dr. King words his letters and speeches. There is so much symbolism and subtext in what he writes. As I read the letter from the Birmingham jail, I could actually hear him speak it aloud in my head. His style of writing is that unique. With this letter he is admonishing the white clergy on not taking a stand for what was right. Dr. King was frustrated with complacency and those that wanted to maintain the status quo for no reason other than they did not want to be bothered. It seems to me to be funny that even fifty years later, I think that Dr. King would still be frustrated at this nation. His goal was not just for equality for African-Americans but for all races. His vision of the future was a place where race did not matter. We still have a long way to go to meet the dream he so eloquently described in his speech “I have a dream!”
Dr. King talked about social apathy and how not standing up to a thing you know is wrong is worse than doing the wrong deed itself. I think this is a great point to bring out. Even though he was using this as an example to chastise the white Christian congregations for their complacency with segregation and the status quo, this philosophy can also be applied to the rest of life as well. What I got out of his speech was that even though the racists were morally wrong in their degradation of the African-Americans, at least they stood up for what they believed and took steps in their best interest. It is worse to be apathetic to what is going on around you and not be involved. How many times have we heard someone in a group of predominantly one ethnicity make a disparaging remark about another without saying, “This is wrong!” How many times have we seen someone of any race or creed being mistreated in word or deed without standing up just because the group did not seem to mind? All of us are guilty of letting things go that we shouldn’t have.
Edmund Burke said it best “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”
Being Hispanic in Laveen Arizona, in the 60s and 70s was not that much different than being black. I am old enough to recall some of this racism. I had the misfortune to have experience one form of racism or another during the first half of my elementary school years, although not to the extent as black people did with all the nastiness directed at them, none the less still racism. Recalling my elementary school years, I remember all none white students having to sit at the back of the class room, stopping at the corner store every day after school for a soda and sunflower seeds was no difference, all none white kids were not allowed in the store, we had to go to a side window where we could order our snacks, while all the white kids were allowed to walk in to the store free as a bird. In the letter from the Birmingham jail, MLK is explaining his reasons and the timing for the nonviolent protest against inequality towards none whites, to eight white Alabama clergymen. Dr. King’s choice of words are perfect, the words are strong but not insulting or hurtful. Dr. King was a great man and certainly deserved great respect. His I had a dream speech is one of my favorite. Dr. King wrote” I had a dream that one day little black boys and little white boys and little black girls and little white girls will one day join hand and walk together as brothers and sisters”, that dream has come to reality for the most part, but we still have a long ways to go before we can bring Dr. King’s full dream into full reality.
Yes, letter was long. I think the letter was defending all minorities and Jesus but he was in jail for defending his brothers for the injustice that was happening in Alabama. If the "white" people (those who are racist) of any minority, that they are so afraid of what color the people are, why do they wear clothes that are black, brown, beige and made from china, japan, or other countries.
Dr.King said we shouldn't sit back and not defend all people for the injustice out in the world. He defended through the letter with all the quotes from presidents to the Bible versus.
Jeremy Taliman
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. expressed into very deep meaning and emotion about the passion that he felt on what he was fighting for. He went on to express into specific detail the "morality" and "unjustices" in society - religiously, economically, and politically. I agree with what he said n which "one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws." an where he quotes St. Augustine, that "an unjust law is no law at all." He went on to fight for unity and equality in this country. He did it in a way that was "peaceful" and non-violent. He fought for was right and what he believed in his heart. You have to stand up for what is wrong and set an example for others and for what you believe in and is right for society as a whole.
He not only stood up for the injustices of human beings, he also stood up for injustices of government, religion, ecnomics; he fought to make a change not only for "his" people, but for all people. He based his stance on logic, morality, faith, and love. Justice was his goal, equality for all was his vision. He used the philosophies of Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson that made him fight for the preservation of extension of justice.
I liked Martin Luther King Jr.'s letter from the Birmingham jail. I wish he had written more so we could learn more about him and who he was as a person and not just a civil rights leader. I like how in his letter he talked about some of the social injustices going on at the time, and how serious they were. These were basic human needs being obstructed. While Dr. King knew some of his supporters used violence, he was not a supporter of violence and did not use it himself. I think anyone who has not read the letter should read it, because even in the written words, you can hear the voice of a man who was beaten but not broken by a system that truly wanted him broken and gone. I wish he was still around, I think the world would be a better place. The world is a better place because of him.
Racism is institutionalized. It is this deep rigid hole that at one point or another people of color face so I am not surprised when I hear white people complaning about "reverse racism" which i don't think exists because racism is prejudice + power. People of color can be prejudice but they lack power, so I always see the arguements being more about lack of privilege. It's disturbing to me that people think racism no longer exists or that people of color pull the "race card" what is this race card? Where do they hand out such cards? and what are the terms and conditions? My sarcasm obviously doesn't negate from the face that the topic of racism is obviously complex and we can discuss this for a long period of time but it does get frustrating when people of color are accused of being "too sensitive" or pulling the "race card" and having their valid experiences dismissed. I look at the grace and patience that Martin Luther King Jr. handled this with, showcased by the letter. He was elequent, strong and unwavering and I think the letter was much more than that. More of a declaration for people whose rights are invisible.
Evan said...
From what i read i can truly say Dr. King has my highest respect for over coming adversity, depression, survival in racial times. I forgot how intelligent Dr. King was. He drew a line for a high purpose and higher standard for many people. A high equality for me and you.
Dr. King had many ties with connections. Organizational ties with christian leadership, alabama movement human rights, non violet direct action program. All to keep the injustice away from black people. His message was clear "whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly".
I love Dr. King self purification steps. These six principles apply to any protest or method whenever you fighting for rights. First Admendment also self-purification go hand and hand, with sister hood and brother hood King had an Organizantion.
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