jenmachin_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
This letter written by Martin Luther King Jr after his imprisonment in Birmingham jail is an incredibly poignant discussion on the lack of black civil rights in the USA.
Although I knew that MLK was a vital and intelligent figure in campaigning for human rights, I was surprised at his beautiful writing style. He weaves metaphors and quotes philosophers. He says:
"We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny"
Besides his stunning articulation, he draws on ideas of morality to encourage people (particularly white clergymen) to voice their support for the cause, saying:
"We will have to repent in this generation, not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people"
Alongside this he defends his method of direct action which was critiqued for "inciting violence". He is a voice of peace and gentle protest in the face of horrific racism, and merely hopes to create negotiation to improve the lives of black Americans. Reminding us that:
"It is an historical fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily"
It was not lost on me that MLK's orchestration of sit ins and peaceful protests were seen as inciting violence, when the hate of white people across the states was not condemned, ultimately leading to his assassination.
Alongside this, he received much criticism for his peaceful methods, yet he poignantly discusses the horrors black people face:
"When you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have seen hate-filled policeman curse, kick and even kill your black brothers and sisters; when you see the vast majority of your twenty million Negro brothers smothering in an airtight cage of poverty in the midst of an affluent society; when you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your 6-year-old daughter why she can't go to the public amusement park that has just been advertised on the television, and see tears welling up in her eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to coloured children, and see ominous clouds of inferiority beginning to form in her little mental sky, and see her beginning to distort her personality by developing an unconscious bitterness towards white people..."
This hauntingly sad, and the reference to his daughter is gut-wrenchingly sad. A child who is innocently oblivious to the world and it's hatred must suffer at the hands of those who hate her merely for her skin, and this is just the start of her understanding of racism.
The only thing that bothered me is MLK's constant reference to brotherhood and helping "men rise", with no mention for the suffering of black women and their intersectional repression. I felt disappointed regarding this, but I suppose MLK can only fight so many battles.
One quote I took from this, and will keep with me forever is:
" Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"
leasummer's review against another edition
5.0
Sadly this is the first time I have read this in its entirety. It’s even more breathtaking this way. I feel humbled just reading it.
nglofile's review against another edition
4.0
audiobook note: Dion Graham brings out the Reverend in Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., calling on powerful tones, effective pauses, and inspiring speech cadence to reflect King's singular balance of wisdom, passion, eloquence, and conviction.
laurenjpegler's review against another edition
3.0
*3.5 stars
I really enjoyed reading the first part of this little book: 'Letter from Birmingham Jail'. I thought it was written so elegantly, so mechanically, and so powerfully. Martin Luther King Jr. knew how to write a meaningful and compelling case, which was so important for what he was trying to overcome. I honestly couldn't get over how wonderfully this was written, and I would definitely urge you to read it too. He made some really interesting and profound points, and he did it all with a level-head.
I didn't, however, like the second half: 'The Three Dimensions of a Complete Life'. This was originally a sermon, but was later transcribed and put into a collection of writing. I just wasn't a fan of it. It didn't have the passion that the first was so rich in and so I wasn't as convinced by what he was sayinh. It also spoke of God, and how God is real and is an important factor in living a complete life, which I couldn't really connect to. It just didn't get me like the first one.
Altogether, though, it was a wonderful short selection of his writing. I definitely want to check out more, especially if they're anything like the letter. I would definitely recommend - they're only a pound!
I really enjoyed reading the first part of this little book: 'Letter from Birmingham Jail'. I thought it was written so elegantly, so mechanically, and so powerfully. Martin Luther King Jr. knew how to write a meaningful and compelling case, which was so important for what he was trying to overcome. I honestly couldn't get over how wonderfully this was written, and I would definitely urge you to read it too. He made some really interesting and profound points, and he did it all with a level-head.
I didn't, however, like the second half: 'The Three Dimensions of a Complete Life'. This was originally a sermon, but was later transcribed and put into a collection of writing. I just wasn't a fan of it. It didn't have the passion that the first was so rich in and so I wasn't as convinced by what he was sayinh. It also spoke of God, and how God is real and is an important factor in living a complete life, which I couldn't really connect to. It just didn't get me like the first one.
Altogether, though, it was a wonderful short selection of his writing. I definitely want to check out more, especially if they're anything like the letter. I would definitely recommend - they're only a pound!
crystal_reading's review against another edition
5.0
The man could write! Amazing way with words. Beautiful and powerful.
dmathuna's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Man was Dr King one of the best of us, smart, eloquent, polite but utterly dedicated to his people’s cause, firm in his insistence that he was right and that he would prevail. Essential reading.
zellapaige's review against another edition
informative
reflective
4.5
This open letter is famous for a reason. The message of this letter is powerful, and the individual words and sentences are even more impactful. The crafting of King's letter is an artful rebuke of any critic of his non-violent actions. While the letter stresses non-violence, the overall message felt shockingly open to more targeted action, which I had previously believed King vehemently opposed.
In a portion of the letter, King addresses the neutrality of time in terms of both progress and other actions. This section stuck out to me as some of the most universal messaging and relevance to protest and action throughout time.
The style of King's religious messaging in this is the only element of the letter that felt off to me. I appreciated that King criticized church members who were silent to oppression, but the entire letter was steeped in a sense of moral Christian superiority. At times, reading this letter made me feel that King would only ever fully respect people of Judo-Christian beliefs. Trying to explain this, it seems like such a minor issue, but as I was reading the letter this sense of Christian superiority was an overarching theme that I felt through every topic shift.
In a portion of the letter, King addresses the neutrality of time in terms of both progress and other actions. This section stuck out to me as some of the most universal messaging and relevance to protest and action throughout time.
The style of King's religious messaging in this is the only element of the letter that felt off to me. I appreciated that King criticized church members who were silent to oppression, but the entire letter was steeped in a sense of moral Christian superiority. At times, reading this letter made me feel that King would only ever fully respect people of Judo-Christian beliefs. Trying to explain this, it seems like such a minor issue, but as I was reading the letter this sense of Christian superiority was an overarching theme that I felt through every topic shift.
gingernut_reads's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75