A review by mollye1836
Why We Can't Wait by Martin Luther King Jr.
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.