Final Essay (Civil Disobedience)

Final ( Civil Disobedience ) Culminating Task. page 225-227

Martin Luther King, Jr is one of the well known person in American History. He was the man who stood up for himself and others. He was one of the leaders of the United States’ civil rights movement in 1960’s. His courageous commitment and attend to nonviolence grabbed the nation’s respect. Back in the 60’s things were much worse than it  is now. People were discriminated and did not have the right as much as like the others. In the 60’s one of the biggest discriminations was between the black and white people. Black and white people discrimination was even there before the 60’s. However, Martin Luther King, Jr stood up against and tried to stop that happening.

In the book it says, “in April 1963, King, Jr led a campaign in Birmingham, Alabama, to end racial segregation at lunch counters and discrimination in hiring. While King and his supporters were on a peaceful march toward city hall the police turned fire hoses on them.” Which is why he went to jail and that’s how it was during those days, you march and you will get arrested. While Martin Luther King, Jr was in jail, he wrote a letter from Birmingham City Jail. He mentions that “An unjust law is no law at all.” An unjust law is a code inflicted upon a minority which that minority had no part in creating.

Martin Luther King, Jr did a lot than we know. He gave speeches and encouraged people to stand up for themselves. In those old days protestants were many compare to now. Now it became more peaceful. Protestants were chaos in the old days. They usually didn’t get what they want from protesting and they just ended up getting arrested. They had no choice but to accept the punishment and the punishments were as harsh as they could be, including death. I am not sure if they were criminals or that patriotic. However, I think they were brave enough to face any punishments that they have received.

I like to put myself into the people and try to visualize or feel how they feel or how they felt. If I were one of the protestants, I would stand up for the others and for myself. I would also be brave enough to face the punishment they would give because I want to show them that I would not give up easily. Perhaps, it might be a little foolish to sacrifice your life just for being a protestant but of course, I would take all the responsibilities if I would have a big reason behind it. In this case, it is the discrimination of races. I am glad in one way because we do not have the violences as we used to have but who knows? Violence has been there always and still will be. 

On the book, it mentions that “Henry David Thoreau, Mohandas K.Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr, viewed civil disobedience as important expression of citizenship,” which possibly true. Also, they all have its own little stories how them and their men chose the civil disobedience. These three men had one thing in common or maybe a few, it is peace and own rights. They believed that everyone must have its own rights and voices. They believed they would bring peace and communication, which they did it and have done it greatly.

Us, now in this generation probably don’t really know how it felt to be a part of the discriminations, slaves, protestants, and the violence they had in the civil disobedience. King, Thoreau, and Gandhi believed in themselves and for their faith they were put in a jail. However, they never gave up and that’s maybe they are still well-known and the example for us. 

What Martin Luther King, Jr did was helpful in our future and especially for the black people. His speeches, his encouragement, and all of his attempts are still being useful and helpful for us. Not only him, there are few people stood up for the black people which is a big accomplishment for us. Even though, we don’t have the race discriminations now but we still do have some race issues today. Those people who stood up for us, gave us opportunities. 

If we had the civil disobedience today, it would probably be a huge issue. Now that are weapons, nuclear, technologies are all upgraded and updated, it would be even violent. We see protestants sometimes now but not like as it used to. It becomes a big chaos and people get even more insane. I am still glad that we don’t see that much but violence will never stop. We must not fail what the legends did for us and must not forget.

In Martin Luther King’s letter he mentions that “ I was arrested Friday on a charge of parading without a permit. Now there is nothing wrong with an ordinance which requires a permit for a parade, but when the ordinance is used to preserve segregation and to deny citizens for the First Amendment privilege, then it becomes unjust.” That was his argument.

At the end we are human beings, and we don’t need discriminations or any such violences in our lives. We are all the same. Having violence would not change anything or make it any better. So it is better off to love each other and try our best to communicate. Nation or even world would be strong if we communicate and look forward together.

Work Cited.

• Martin Luther King, Jr. - From Letter from Birmingham City Jail, November 3, 1963

• Henry David Thoreau. - From Resistance to Civil Government.

• Mohandas K. Gandhi - From on Nonviolent Resistance.