aj1's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing. Should be required reading of every high schooler (and congress-person).
gracepick6290's review against another edition
5.0
Why We Can't Wait contains the full text of King's “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” one of the most profound and significant American documents ever written. Bookending the letter is his account of the events of 1963, principally focusing on the protests in Birmingham. The book explains and expounds on many of the ideas addressed in his letter, especially his belief in the effectiveness of nonviolent protest, a response to the myth of timeliness, and his frustration with the passivity of the "white moderate."
caedocyon's review against another edition
5.0
- really interesting context for "why 1963?"
- captivating, fast-paced but strategically detailed account of the planning, execution, and (mixed) outcomes of the Birmingham campaign
- there are three necessary parties for NVCD: the unbowed victim, the attacker, and the witness without visibility you have nothing.
- the letter from the Birmingham jail is one of the most quotable pieces of writing ever. incandescent. it comes appropriately as the very center and heart of this book.
- most of the latter chapters (outcomes of Birmingham and legislative prospects) could have been written yesterday (2018), instead of 55 years ago. Jesse Jackson's afterword, written in 2000, is a transmission from another, impossibly naive, planet.
why we can't wait inspires; it takes the movement from something superhuman to "go on, get moving!". it's realistic and optimistic and full of soaring words about morality and extremely practical.
- captivating, fast-paced but strategically detailed account of the planning, execution, and (mixed) outcomes of the Birmingham campaign
- there are three necessary parties for NVCD: the unbowed victim, the attacker, and the witness without visibility you have nothing.
- the letter from the Birmingham jail is one of the most quotable pieces of writing ever. incandescent. it comes appropriately as the very center and heart of this book.
- most of the latter chapters (outcomes of Birmingham and legislative prospects) could have been written yesterday (2018), instead of 55 years ago. Jesse Jackson's afterword, written in 2000, is a transmission from another, impossibly naive, planet.
why we can't wait inspires; it takes the movement from something superhuman to "go on, get moving!". it's realistic and optimistic and full of soaring words about morality and extremely practical.
rwarner's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful and masterful. Essential reading to understand Dr. King's nonviolence, that it awakens the humanity in others and leads to kindness, understanding, and unity. The social media age, I fear, has led us in the other direction, with more anger and name-calling and unkindness as we distance ourselves from humanity.
One phrase from this book keeps ringing in my head: "Half a loaf is no bread" (p. 18). Every time you hear someone telling LeBron James to "shut up and dribble," think, "half a loaf is no bread." We can't be content until all have equal treatment under the law, have equal access and opportunities, equal pay for equal work. All must be offered the the full loaf.
King's work is not done. We all must take it upon ourselves to understand King's ideas, appreciate his sacrifice, internalize his compassion, and make the world kinder.
One phrase from this book keeps ringing in my head: "Half a loaf is no bread" (p. 18). Every time you hear someone telling LeBron James to "shut up and dribble," think, "half a loaf is no bread." We can't be content until all have equal treatment under the law, have equal access and opportunities, equal pay for equal work. All must be offered the the full loaf.
King's work is not done. We all must take it upon ourselves to understand King's ideas, appreciate his sacrifice, internalize his compassion, and make the world kinder.
lyndsaybh's review against another edition
5.0
This is so beautifully written, and it was really instructive to see the context for so many of his famous phrases and quotes that have lately been used by people on all sides to fit their agenda. It was heartbreaking reading how optimistic Dr King was when he wrote this in 1964, and so much of what he wrote then is still devastatingly relevant now, in particular his comments on police aggression against unarmed black men and women. This should be required reading for everyone.
mollye1836's review against another edition
5.0
This book is exquisite, pure and simple.
There is a word that we frequently use in the Baptist church: "convicted". Not in the criminal sense of the word but in the sense that one is so strongly gripped by a feeling or event that one is forced to act. I felt convicted by this book, every page of it.
Like most Americans, I am somewhat familiar with King's writings from school. I have never read any of his writings in depth, however. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Eloquent and concise, easy to understand and rich, his writing is at once inspiring and challenging. He patiently outlines the origins of the American civil rights movement with poetic and passionate rhetoric, drawing parallels to earlier points in American history and, to my great interest, contemporary world leaders in Asia and Africa. I don't know why it didn't occur to me earlier to place the US civil rights movement within the context of the global de-colonization movement, but it was certainly not lost on King and others in the Civil Rights movement.
What can I say? His fiercely honest portrayal of the Southern white moderate still rings true today; his optimism for black Americans is at once uplifting and defiant. I think, too often, non-black Americans confuse 'passivity' and 'non-violence' when it comes to Dr. King. Non-violent he is, but passive he most certainly is not. His words ring with the conviction of one trained with Protestant teachings: firm and unwavering, not sparing of his reader's feelings. At the same time, he doesn't ever completely give himself over to raw emotion; he carefully articulates his beliefs but illuminates them in such a way that it felt to me very reminiscent of reading Scripture. His words carry the conviction of someone who knows that their cause is just.
And, selfishly, I was touched at his hope in America, despite its cruel and bitter history. He deplored the system that oppressed Africans and African Americans but he did not lose sight of the goal of equality for all Americans. He believed in the just rule of law and equality of opportunity as well as fact. His compassion for black Americans extended as well to poor Americans, including the poor white Americans that are often pitted as the economic rivals of black Americans. (This part especially was harrowing for me given the recent election and class rhetoric).
It is a tender, roaring proclamation, loving and fiery all at once. A treasure, for sure. I don't know that I could ever pick one quote from this compilation but I know that this one has convicted me for certain: "There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs over, and men are no longer willing to be plunged into the abyss of despair." This is a freedom song in written form.
There is a word that we frequently use in the Baptist church: "convicted". Not in the criminal sense of the word but in the sense that one is so strongly gripped by a feeling or event that one is forced to act. I felt convicted by this book, every page of it.
Like most Americans, I am somewhat familiar with King's writings from school. I have never read any of his writings in depth, however. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Eloquent and concise, easy to understand and rich, his writing is at once inspiring and challenging. He patiently outlines the origins of the American civil rights movement with poetic and passionate rhetoric, drawing parallels to earlier points in American history and, to my great interest, contemporary world leaders in Asia and Africa. I don't know why it didn't occur to me earlier to place the US civil rights movement within the context of the global de-colonization movement, but it was certainly not lost on King and others in the Civil Rights movement.
What can I say? His fiercely honest portrayal of the Southern white moderate still rings true today; his optimism for black Americans is at once uplifting and defiant. I think, too often, non-black Americans confuse 'passivity' and 'non-violence' when it comes to Dr. King. Non-violent he is, but passive he most certainly is not. His words ring with the conviction of one trained with Protestant teachings: firm and unwavering, not sparing of his reader's feelings. At the same time, he doesn't ever completely give himself over to raw emotion; he carefully articulates his beliefs but illuminates them in such a way that it felt to me very reminiscent of reading Scripture. His words carry the conviction of someone who knows that their cause is just.
And, selfishly, I was touched at his hope in America, despite its cruel and bitter history. He deplored the system that oppressed Africans and African Americans but he did not lose sight of the goal of equality for all Americans. He believed in the just rule of law and equality of opportunity as well as fact. His compassion for black Americans extended as well to poor Americans, including the poor white Americans that are often pitted as the economic rivals of black Americans. (This part especially was harrowing for me given the recent election and class rhetoric).
It is a tender, roaring proclamation, loving and fiery all at once. A treasure, for sure. I don't know that I could ever pick one quote from this compilation but I know that this one has convicted me for certain: "There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs over, and men are no longer willing to be plunged into the abyss of despair." This is a freedom song in written form.
kitty_reads_'s review against another edition
was reading for school and enjoying but I got too busy to finish it
jonbrammer's review against another edition
5.0
What’s important to remember when considering King’s legacy is that his vision of social justice changed in the late 60s to an economics of raising up the poor of all races. He knew that racial animosity would continue as long as the middle class could be convinced that the poor, minorities and immigrants should be derided and and scapegoated. The last thirty years have seen the economic hierarchy become even more skewed towards the 1%, who have grabbed the reins of political power through their proxies in the Republican Party.