Posted: 4/29/2015 Updated: 5/2/2015
Trigger
Just read parts of a New York Times Op Ed article titled “Goodbye to Freddie Gray and Goodbye to Quietly Accepting Injustice” written by Michael Eric Dyson, a professor of sociology at Georgetown University.
Here is prof. Dyson’s brief excerpt from a speech by Martin Luther King Jr.:
“As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. announced in the wake of the Watts riots 50 years ago, “a riot is the language of the unheard.” And judging by the actions in Baltimore, thousands are not being heard.”
Expanded Quote And Source
These are the original words of a self proclaimed preacher of non violence:
“Now I wanted to say something about the fact that we have lived over these last two or three summers with agony and we have seen our cities going up in flames. And I would be the first to say that I am still committed to militant, powerful, massive, non-violence as the most potent weapon in grappling with the problem from a direct action point of view. I'm absolutely convinced that a riot merely intensifies the fears of the white community while relieving the guilt. And I feel that we must always work with an effective, powerful weapon and method that brings about tangible results. But it is not enough for me to stand before you tonight and condemn riots. It would be morally irresponsible for me to do that without, at the same time, condemning the contingent, intolerable conditions that exist in our society. These conditions are the things that cause individuals to feel that they have no other alternative than to engage in violent rebellions to get attention. And I must say tonight that a riot is the language of the unheard.”
Excerpted from
"The Other America"
Speech by
Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Grosse Pointe High School - March 14, 1968
The Duplicitous Non Violence Preached By Martin Luther King Jr.
I believe, the above quote illustrates this quite well.
Sure, in the U.S. individuals have no other choice, but to resort to violence in response to perceived conditions. For a true believer in non violence, there are always peaceful alternatives available even under very dire conditions especially in the U.S. One of the simplest alternatives is to move away for better opportunities e.g. from Baltimore.
Violence is never a language! Violence is force! Humans will be injured or die. A violent riot almost always violates the innocent! What an injustice is that?
Martin Luther King Jr. was committed to what: “militant, powerful, massive, non-violence as the most potent weapon”. Militant, powerful non violence? What a contradiction in terms or what an oxymoron!
Post Script
I have written here a number of blog posts about the many controversial aspects of Martin Luther King Jr.
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