If You Read One Piece on MLK Day, Read This
Martin Luther King Jr. wrote it from jail.
Every year people honor MLK Day by sharing quotes as if they’ve actually read something by the man himself. They’re usually shared out of context, assuming they’re even accurately attributed to Martin Luther King Jr. in the first place.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” - MLK Jr., Letter From Birmingham Jail
Far too often they’re shared by people whom MLK would have almost certainly disagreed with, whether for their failure to uphold civil rights or willingness to excuse violent means to achieve moral ends. Political opportunists love to quote the man who was far more radical than many realize.
So on this MLK Day, or any day for that matter, go straight to the source. The best place to start? A little letter he wrote while sitting in the Birmingham, Alabama jail following his arrest for “parading without a permit.”
It’s not long. At less than six pages, everyone has the time. It’s called Letter From Birmingham Jail. Below are my takes on the letter - juxtaposed to modern times - and why I think everyone should read (and reread it) regularly.
First, some background and why you should read this every MLK Day
It’s 1963 in America. Specifically, in the South. Eight white religious leaders have just issued a public statement of concern and caution following large nonviolent demonstrations against segregation. MLK is responding to their critiques through this letter.
He is writing the letter from prison in Birmingham, Alabama following the charge of “parading without a permit” given the role he played in the nonviolent protests.
This letter is one of the best summaries of MLK’s philosophy. It’s also one of the most powerful justifications for nonviolent demonstration and civil disobedience.
Rhetorical power aside, my favorite part of this letter is its tone. Dr. King gives charitable assumptions to his critics.
“I am sure that each of you would want to go beyond the superficial social analyst who looks merely at effects and does not grapple with underlying causes.”
He apologizes continuously and even begs for forgiveness in the conclusion. Just in case he has said anything that understates or overstates the truth.
This tone is the most beautiful and persuasive illustration of his overall philosophy: “nonviolence demands that the means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek.”
We have failed the MLK purity test
The recent excuses and justifications for Hamas’ brutal attack on civilians at a music festival are the perfect example of how and why. The situation in Gaza pre-October 7th was abysmal. The Netanyahu government was not looking to change the status quo. But none of it - none of it - justified the violent slaughter of innocent civilians.
The same can be argued in the other direction against Israel. Indiscriminate bombing of populated civilian areas in Gaza is not a justified or proportionate response to the tragedy Israel suffered on October 7th.
Many of us, however, have lost the ability to hold two competing ideas in our heads simultaneously. Many of us increasingly seek ways to justify immoral means by pointing at their moral ends. If there’s anything to take away from Dr. King’s Letter, it’s this - “the means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek.”
That philosophy should apply to nonviolent protests and beyond.
We cannot lose sight of underlying causes
The eight white religious leaders that MLK was responding to were disgusted by the nonviolent demonstrations in Birmingham in 1963. Their public statement, however, did not mention any of the conditions that inspired those demonstrations, which is why Dr. King led with that point. As he stated:
“[I]t is even more unfortunate that the white power structure of this city left the Negro community with no other alternative.”
Birmingham, Alabama was one of the most segregated cities in the South in 1963. And remember, this is almost a decade after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation of public schools was unconstitutional (Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 1954).
The sad reality was that the white power structure in Birmingham - and many other cities across the South - refused to implement and enforce federal law. They simply didn’t listen to the highest court in the land. For almost a decade.
MLK and others had to use direct action to force desegregation upon Birmingham, from public lunch counters and restrooms to drinking fountains and department store fitting rooms.
The news of an agreement with city leaders to end this segregation in 1963 was met with violence by the white population. Numerous bombings injured and killed black citizens. One bomb detonated by the Ku Klux Klan at the 16th Street Baptist Church killed four young black girls.
None of these tragedies were mentioned in the public statement by the eight white religious leaders.
It’s an important reminder today when people protest or revolt. We must be mindful of underlying causes instead of simply labeling the perceived offenders as “criminal mobs”, as Tucker Carlson described the George Floyd protestors in 2020. Or that half of a political opponent’s supporters are a “basket of deplorables”, as Hillary Clinton described Donald Trump’s supporters in a 2016 campaign speech.
What’s motivating people to act or vote the way they are? What power structures are in place that might be causing the problems? Is there systemic inequality or injustice that could be fixed to solve it?
This is what makes MLK’s version of nonviolent direct action so powerful. It forces society to confront these difficult questions and offer creative solutions. It forces good-faith negotiation.
“My friends, I must say to you that we have not made a single gain in civil rights without determined legal and nonviolent pressure. History is the long and tragic story of the fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily.”
“Greatly disappointed with the white moderate”
For Dr. King, the white moderate voter in America is the greatest stumbling block toward freedom. As he put it, they are more “devoted to order than justice.”
This is still true today. Although perhaps not as much in terms of civil rights as it is of democracy in America. Almost half the country could vote for someone who was impeached twice (although not convicted), indicted on 91 felony counts, and already found civilly liable for sexual abuse and fraud.
Despite some 20% of Republicans viewing Donald Trump unfavorably, many will likely still vote for him. Other independent voters will probably follow.
Order.
Don’t upset the American apple cart. Democracy? The rule of law? Who cares? Nothing in my life will change.
Until it does.
Dr. King knew the most efficient path toward progress was through the American middle, not on its extremist edges. But the middle needed convincing that the righteous path that may upset the apple cart was worth the chaos.
The best path toward progress in America remains unchanged today.
Progress is extreme
The eight white religious leaders had labeled MLK an “extremist.” He responded by first stating how disappointed he was to be categorized as such.
(As an aside, phrasing your disgust with someone or something as disappointment is so darn powerful).
Dr. King goes on to say this: “But as I continued to think about the matter, I gradually gained a bit of satisfaction from being considered an extremist. Was not Jesus an extremist in love?”
He goes on to cite the likes of Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson, all of whom by some segment of society were considered “extremists” in their respective eras.
The truth is that nobody relinquishes power willingly. If the scales of justice in any part of society become unbalanced and demand correction, rebalancing will not come easily. It often involves taking rights or resources from one group and handing them to others.
For example, white people in 1963 who lived in Birmingham had the right to segregated public spaces (that were overwhelmingly separate, but NOT equal). When they lost those rights, affording African Americans the right to enjoy those same public spaces, some white people responded violently.
Society will always struggle with these imbalances of rights, resources, and power. Efforts to equalize the playing field will often be characterized as “extreme” at the time. But as long as the means we use are as pure as the ends we seek, progress will be an extreme benefit to all of us.
So in honor of MLK Day here in America, let’s try harder not to fail the means purity test. Let’s never lose sight of underlying causes. Let’s not fear the loss of some order if it means greater justice for all. And let’s certainly never fear progress.