Is non-violence the solution? Read document 2, the excerpt from Dr. King's writings about non-violence, and respond to this prompt. Remember to imagine how you would respond to these ideas in the midst of the civil rights movement.
Prompt Questions:
You have been following the news and are keenly aware of the discrimination and violence African Americans face. Do you agree or disagree with Dr. King’s ideas of non-violence? Will they be successful to combat discrimination in
Martin Luther King Jr is the "someone [who] must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate." Not only does he stand for racial justice, he believes that non violence is the key to subdue oppression. By referring to previous history, he makes his five points even stronger. If Ghandi succeeded in freeing a country without pushing for violence, why can't the African American people? King states, "violence solves no social problems; it merely creates new and more complicated ones..." This statement should have been memorized and really understood by all of the segregationist. By not using violence to conquer such injustices, African Americans are the stronger people.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Martin Luther King Jr. and his tactics of nonviolent resistance. By being physically violent to solve problems, only more are created. It is a vicious cycle that will never solve the original problems. I believe that by trying to "win his [the enemy's] friendship and understanding" the problems with segregation and problems in general will be solved. As one person fights for what they believe in without violence, it will cause others to do the same. Therefore, the world will become a less violent, and more understanding place.
ReplyDelete-Suzanne
I agree with Martin Luther King Jr. in that this is a fight against evil not a fight between races. Racism is a venomous feeling that has been planted in people's mind; it does not define them. Therefore, people should not be physically harmed, but reformed. If the leaders of this movement, both blacks and whites alike, set an example for the rest of the country, people's mindsets will change faster. Violence will only instigate anger. As Suzanne says, if one person embraces nonviolence, others will follow suit.
ReplyDeleteMartin Luther King Jr. makes a good point about the idea of nonviolence is not for cowards. The strong nonviolent resister has to face evil just as much as someone who uses violence as an answer. King made a good point where using violence only creates more problems. There is a good idol to look to in times of doubts. Gandhi. He freed a country using nonviolence and he got everyone’s attention.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dr. King!
ReplyDeleteI like how he says, "nonviolent resistance does not seek to defeat or humiliate the opponent, but to win his friendship and understanding." It shows how powerful nonviolent resistance can really be.
If I was to really be put into character as a person living through the Civil Rights Movement, being black, white (or any other ethnic group for that matter) I'd be truly moved but Dr. King's speech. He states the truth so forcefully, that I can understand why the Civil Rights Movement got as far as it did.
King's thoughts on nonviolence definately could have been successful in the war against discrimination in America.
I agree with Dr. King as well. His first point is so imperative to his arguement, when he says, "this is not a method for cowards; it does resist." By using Ghandi as an example of the best means of protest, he shows how effective non-violence is. I also agree with Suzanne, and this is a contagious method.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the the essay written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. because it proves a strong and signifcant arguement. King says, "The aftermath of violence is tragic bitterness." I agree with King because the aftermath of World War I left the Germans with bitterness, which caused World War II. If we've learned anything from history, it is that violence will not solve problems, instead it will escalate problems. We,as black activists, should take King's advice because through non-violence resistence we can defeat the barriers of racism, discrimination, and segregation.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the way Martin Luther King Jr. did things. Non violence is a solution, it may not work physically but it will eventually get to the opponent psychologically and spiritually. I agree with Leah, by comparing his five points to a successful man in history he has just made his argument stronger. I agree with Dr. King when he says do not seek to defeat or humiliate your opponent, for the simple fact the two sides will just go back and forth in trying to make the other look stupid, which will never solve anything. His ideas of discrimination were successful; he wanted the other [man] to understand his view on things, without all the fighting and deaths. King wanted to go to the root of evil, not kill the people in the way of it. –DIAMOND-
ReplyDeleteDr. King makes the complete sense in his essay. I do believe that his perspective on eliminating prejudice, segregation, racism, and the like are a excellent alternative to violence. Nonviolent resistance can accomplish just as much as violence, yet with less harmfull repercussion. "Nonviolent resistance does not seek to defeat...the opponent, but to win his...understanding," and by following that path "the end is redemption and reconciliation." When the problem is solved, it will be easier to reconstruct the community with the foudation of love,respect, and brotherly servitude.
ReplyDeleteI support Dr. King and I think his message is a good one. I hope he leads a succesful non-violent revolution. This will be hard to do, however, therfore I disagree with King. I believe the most promising quick way to equality is through guns. But considering the South consists largly of black people the concept of a non-violent revolution isnt far from rational. All you need to do maybe is make them just a little bit disobedient and the whites would let up because they just would be overwhelmed and wouldn't be able to deal with it. I a willing to go about the action this way because King is right in that violence is evil and destructive, literally, to society.
ReplyDelete"I believe the most promising quick way to equality is through guns"-John
ReplyDeleteI am going to have to argue tremendously against this theory. Not only are guns pointless in trying to win, really, anything but they are just shields of violence; cowards who do not have enough dignity to fight without the necessity of crime. I believe Martin Luther King Jr. makes a great argument to why guns can not be used in this situation. Violence only leads to violence.
I agree with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
ReplyDeleteI believe his views on solving problems with non-violence will help us succeed in the fight against racism. I also agree with MLK when he said that violence will create more problems. This would cause the hate and differences to be much greater and would not change anyone’s views on what they have believed. What they need to do is be civilized and mature in trying to get their point across without resorting to violence.
I completely agree with Dr. King’s ideas on non-violence.
ReplyDeleteUsing violence seems like it would be most effective and it would provide an immediate solution to the problem, but like Martin Luther Kind Jr. proves, its not. Although using non-violence is the more difficult tactic to combat overbearing issue of discrimination because it needs patients and controlling natural emotions of hate, it is stronger than using violence and it will bring long term rewards. I agree with Martin Luther king Jr that “the aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community, while the aftermath of violence is tragic bitterness.” By dealing with one another in peace, people will realize that they have no reason to hate people of color simply because the color of their skin. His ideas are powerful because he holds such strong belief and faith that the black people will rise up in the end.
I entirely believe in Marin Luther Kings non-violent tactics. I mean, causing violence will give white people a reason to spread word that blacks are bad for society. By fighting inequality by not using violence, that is really something special. This shows whites that blacks are gentelman and that they just want people to like them.
ReplyDeleteI believe what mathews has said that violence will just cause more violence. This is true. I mean, if someone is punched a fight will erupt. If blacks become violent, whites will fight back. Peace is the only solutution to winning the war for equality
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his tactics of non-violence. With non-violent tactics more people’s attention are drawn because people are being beaten and killed with out retaliating. A non-violence tactic is successful in helping get rid of discrimination but I don’t think it can solely get rid of it. I think there has to be other actions to help discrimination such as bringing in the National Guard to keep people from racial violence.
ReplyDeleteI think that Martin Luther King Jr is right. He talks about non violence being the method to deal with racial injustice, and i agree. I think that it is a much more effective tactic and that will produce greater benefits than those who choose to use violence. He also makes the point to love people. Love the people who are hating you and bringing you the suffering. I think that this is true. Being harmful to the people inflicting the pain does not make things better. Loving them and showing them that different races can get along does work.
ReplyDeletei agree with Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. his non- violence tactics make him and African Americans
ReplyDeletemuch stronger than the whites. by the African Americans and their supporters not fighting back, makes them all the more effective and more successful. MLK looks at Gandhi and sees what he has successfully earned and wants the African Americas to be seen as good and successful people like Gandhi's. Martin Luther King Jr says "nonviolent resistance does not seek to defeat or humiliate the opponent, but to win his friendship and understanding." it just shows how powerful non violence can be.
I agree with eliza when she says that the use of non-violence will bring long-term benefits. Although violence may get a point across fast and easily, the non-violence tactics have proven to make more of an impact on people's lives. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s idea of non-violence is very interesting because although you dont need o be physically srong, you need to be emotionally strong to handle the many ongoing battles. I agree with him when he says that non-violence will lead to a "beloved community." Communities not exposed to violence are stronger and closer knit because they have had to band together to promote the idea of non-violence.
ReplyDeleteI agree with doctor kings ideas of non violence. I feel that it is a noble cause reminiscent of gandhis movemnet many years ago. They will be highly successful in the fight against segregation in america.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Martin Luther Kings peaceful tactics to gain equality. The only thing violence could have caused at this point is more problems for both whites and blacks. It would have angered the whites and also given them an excuse to say blacks were uncivilised.
ReplyDeleteI full heartedly agree with Dr. King. I do not believe that violence is, or ever will be the answer. In this year of 1967, I see the hate flooding the world every day, and it most end. However, attacking hate with hate only ignites the hate. Once the day comes when the world fights fire with fire...everything will burn and turn to dust. Everything the human race has worked for will die. Is it worth it? Is hatred towards a group of people worth ashes? Of course not. We must peacefully fight and “project the ethics of love to the center of our lives...” To bring about better racial conditions, we must place evil aside and “be the change we want to see in the world.” I have confidence that this can be done, but there will be many who do not think so. But the ones who are defiant must remember that “the basic tension is not between races...the attack is directed against forces of evil rather than against persons who are caught in those forces.” I really like how this document ends, and how Dr. King reminds us that darkness is ephemeral and it is harmony that reigns on...
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way that xoxeliza2455 does about the long term affects of non-violence. The peaceful tactic always requires patience which is difficult to bear, especially in such a hectic and demanding time. Although, non-violence will slowly grow and its rewards will be much more profound than the quick and easy violent actions that are being ached for in society because it seems like a fast solution. It might be fast--but violence is no solution.
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