I know that what I am about to ask you to read is “long.” It may be one of the longest things you’ve read in a long time. But this is no ordinary document. And it’s length will never measure up to it’s worth. Below you will find one of the keys that unlocked the door to freedom; to equality; and to justice in our nation. Whether you are black, white, tan, green, or yellow; whatever color you may be; this knowledgeable and heart felt letter has influenced your existence. You may have never even heard of it, and I know it isn’t something you were told to read in school. Yet in these lines, you will find salvation; to a freedom within you, and in the world. So print this letter; read it, and pass it on to those you love. Because we must never forget to remember the struggle; nor shall we forget the people who sacrificed their lives so that we would have a chance to know, love, and live alongside each other. Today I want you to read this as a way to thank Martin Luther King Jr. for he did far more than Have a Dream.
Read: Letter From Birmingham Jail – by Martin Luther King Jr. (written during his incarceration for leading a non-violent protest in Birmingham, Alabama 1963)
Print: Letter From Birmingham Jail – Pass It On
[Below, is my response to Martin’s letter, for it touched me; and I hope it reaches you all the same.]
Dear Martin,
I did not know what to expect when I sat down to read your letter. I do not know how impressed you are with what you wrote, for the words are merely your own thoughts and feelings expressed on paper. I myself am touched. I certainly did not expect to be so moved. I have just gained an understanding on an issue that I thought I already understood. The truth is, I know the names, faces, places, and acts of brutality that occurred, but this is the first time I feel like I truly grasp the struggle.
“Unwise and untimely” would more accurately describe the actions of those whom made such remarks toward you. The clergymen whom provided that comment are more concerned with the judgment placed upon them by society, than the judgment of morality and God. Untimely is their choice of when to speak out on this issue. Unwise is their decision to condemn your efforts and compliment the Birmingham police department. I commend you in your response for remaining patient and seemingly calm. I do not believe you should feel such, but your respect for their opinion “believing their criticism is good natured” is admirable. I enjoyed your response of “I am here because I was invited here” tied with “I am here because there is injustice here.” I believe that this should give their sense of “outsiders coming in” a whirl of reconsideration. It is apparent that you were not only called into Birmingham by your affiliates, but by your compelling desire to bring aid to those in need. You wrote “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” and “whatever effects one directly, effects all indirectly.” This brought to my mind a thought that hadn’t occurred to me before. Segregation is not only the separation of black and white. It is a segregation of knowing one whom may have been a destined best friend, lover, mentor or enemy. It is a setting apart in which both sides lose.
“It is unfortunate that demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham, but it is even more unfortunate that the cities white power structure has left the Negro community with no alternative.” This statement should shut the mouths of anyone questioning your purpose. It states the facts, and opens the door to the rest of the letter. You go on to explain how a non-violent campaign is planned out. Direct action, I have learned, only occurs when there is evidence of injustice, an undergoing of self-purification, and negotiation has been thoroughly attempted. It puzzles me how a negotiation to “remove signs of humiliation” in return for “a moratorium of demonstrations” wasn’t honored. I do believe that everything happens the way it does for a reason. That is what led to your direct action demonstration in the first place. I revel in your theory of how non-violent protest “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.” I again embarked upon a new train of thought as I read your definition of tension. “There is a type of constructive non-violent tension which is necessary for growth.” I also like how you introduced Socrates’ belief that one must create tension in the mind in order to reach the “realm of creative analysis and objective understanding.” I realize now that we as humans cannot grow spiritually without constructive chaos, nor can we change physically or mentally without positive tension. You also proclaim that “Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes from tireless efforts of men willing to be co-workers with God.” On that note, I believe time of assessment of your direct action was chosen by a higher power. It was not untimely. Like you said, “We have waited 340 years for our constitutional and God given rights” and “justice too long delayed, is justice denied.” What’s worth waiting another hour, week or month? No one will ever be ready or comfortable to change, if they don’t have to. That is why I find your plan of action was both wise and timely.
You’ve been asked “How can you advocate some laws while breaking others?” In your response you quoted St. Augustine. “An unjust law is not a law at all.” “An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law or natural law.” I agree. It seems so simple to understand, yet it is a notion that many deny. I guess some humans would rather conform to what is wrong because it is they are being told it is right. Your arrest was only deemed just, because there is a law against parading without a permit. Your description of the treatment received while being detained is appalling. It disgusts me. How can one deny nourishment to a group on account of an Assembly of God? It is the fruit of hatred, growing out of the roots of evil. I do not understand how such evil can be tolerated and accepted as deserving. Why should anyone believe that they can degrade another human being? How can some disbelieve the truth; that we are all children of God? We are all brothers and sisters.
Your actions of peace do not “precipitate violence.” Hatred precipitates violence. The only evident violence is occurring in the drive to keep segregation alive. Some are telling you to wait, and that you will be free in time. That time is going to raise the bars of segregation and freedom will prevail in the hands of time. You wrote, “Time is neutral, it can be used either destructively or constructively.” This has stuck in my head since the moment I read it. I can apply it to my own personal use of time, and how successful I want to become. I believe you mean; time itself solves nothing. Everyone tells you “give it time, and time heals all wounds.” In reality, sitting around waiting for time to repair anything is a waist. “We must use time creatively in the knowledge that time is always ripe to do right.” I shall live by these words daily. Such a declaration makes me realize that our time is precious and every moment we’re given is meant to be used productively for mankind.
The church and the white moderate combined, who stood by with their lips pursed, knowing in their souls that injustice is upon us, are cowards. I guess to the majority, ridicule and disownment are far more disastrous than the immoral and unjust treatment of their fellow beings. We as humans cannot stand by and watch our people suffer without suffering a great deal ourselves. How anyone could deny another human’s anguish is beyond me. The only logical explanation I can come up with is that those whom stood by and did nothing chose to view the suffering as inhuman.
I congratulate you on your gained satisfaction for the title of “extremist.” Just as you said “Jesus was an extremist for love” so too are you. Jesus spoke, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and prosecute you.” You Martin are an extremist for love. You haven’t only aided those in despair with the illness of oppression; you’ve helped heal those dying from the illness of misunderstanding. In closing, I would like to thank you for the life you’re leading. Your doing so brought to my mind Matthew 16:25, where Jesus spoke to his disciples, “Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Thank you for living a life of sacrifice for the sake of love and freedom. Thanks for opening my mind to new trains of thought. You’ve helped me to realize that peaceful tension is needed for growth, and how “time is always ripe to do right.” More importantly, I would like to thank you for bringing our people together. Your commitment to truth and light has allowed us as humans to love and know each other. Your words shall forever live on in my heart, and your purpose will be everlasting in the souls of the lives you’ve touched. Thank you for enlightenment.
Your friend,
BJ – HipHopHundred.com
