Dr. King - The Writer

People think of his I Have A Dream speech more often than not and recall his great talent of oration. But people should add to Nobel prize winner Dr. Martin Luther King's fine qualities, abilities and accomplishments "talented writer." He wrote some very persuasive, logical, sophisticated rebuttals and arguments. They supported and explained the view of many who were in favor of Civil Rights. He shared these views with supporters and detractors alike in a respectful way. He just had a way of making an issue clear and conveying the emotion within it so that it wasn't sappy or pedantic - just human and humane.

These are two brief excerpts from his eloquent Letter From Birmingham Jail. He addressed this to various clergymen that criticized his position regarding Civil Rights. He had been arrested for participating in non violent protest and wrote this while incarcerated to a fellowship of clergy and religious leaders who could not understand or opposed his methods. Dr. King hoped to use reasoning and categorical analysis of each criticism of the law defying, non-violent tactics employed to protest the inequalities of race and class. To get the full effect and understanding, I really recommend reading it in it's totality.

Sometimes a law is just on its face and unjust in its application. For instance, I have been arrested on a charge of parading without a permit. Now, there is nothing wrong in having an ordinance which requires a permit for a parade. But such an ordinance becomes unjust when it is used to maintain segregation and to deny citizens the First-Amendment privilege of peaceful assembly and protest. I hope you are able to see the distinction I am trying to point out. In no sense do I advocate evading or defying the law, as would the rabid segregationist. That would lead to anarchy. One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty. I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.

If I have said anything in this letter that overstates the truth and indicates an unreasonable impatience, I beg you to forgive me. If I have said anything that understates the truth and indicates my having a patience that allows me to settle for anything less than brotherhood, I beg God to forgive me.

Happy Birthday, Dr. King.