Martin Luther King: A Nonviolent '- Extremist'
Martin Luther King – a Non-Violent "Extremist"
Compared to the various factions of the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. is not an extremist; however, in response to being labeled an extremist by "fellow clergimen", King considers himself an extremist of love and equality (King 1). In his letter written from the Birmingham Jail, King argues in favor of non- violence, placing his extremism in the context of religion, history and sociology. His ideology is the only outlet for a positive and peaceful outcome because the "do – nothinghism of the complacent" will fuel "the hatred and despair of the black nationalist" (King 7). Throughout the letter, King advocates non - violence. Rather than fight the clergy 's accusation of extremism, …show more content…
Will we be extremists for hate or for love?" (King 8). A part of his strategy in convincing the "clergymen" to be non-violent "extremist", is linking himself to the emancipation of the slaves in America. He reiterates the American dream- equality and freedom, in order to show them that only together they can achieve this dream. He points out that nothing he is advocating is violent or harmful. In spite of this he is in prison for his activities. King references people who were unpopular and resistant to the norms of their society, whose ideals are now held as correct by modern society. "We must never forget that all […] were crucified for the same crime – the crime of extremism" (King 8). King claims out the parallel between these historic figures and the civil rights battle. King 's dream is peaceful society of equality. King still "deem[s]" that the black and the white communities can come to a reasonable consensus in a diplomatic way, appealing to logic. In fact, "initially" being disappointed at being "called extremist", King "gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label" (King 8). He is not bothered about being called an extremist, because "the nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremist" (King 8). He claims he 's one of
Compared to the various factions of the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. is not an extremist; however, in response to being labeled an extremist by "fellow clergimen", King considers himself an extremist of love and equality (King 1). In his letter written from the Birmingham Jail, King argues in favor of non- violence, placing his extremism in the context of religion, history and sociology. His ideology is the only outlet for a positive and peaceful outcome because the "do – nothinghism of the complacent" will fuel "the hatred and despair of the black nationalist" (King 7). Throughout the letter, King advocates non - violence. Rather than fight the clergy 's accusation of extremism, …show more content…
Will we be extremists for hate or for love?" (King 8). A part of his strategy in convincing the "clergymen" to be non-violent "extremist", is linking himself to the emancipation of the slaves in America. He reiterates the American dream- equality and freedom, in order to show them that only together they can achieve this dream. He points out that nothing he is advocating is violent or harmful. In spite of this he is in prison for his activities. King references people who were unpopular and resistant to the norms of their society, whose ideals are now held as correct by modern society. "We must never forget that all […] were crucified for the same crime – the crime of extremism" (King 8). King claims out the parallel between these historic figures and the civil rights battle. King 's dream is peaceful society of equality. King still "deem[s]" that the black and the white communities can come to a reasonable consensus in a diplomatic way, appealing to logic. In fact, "initially" being disappointed at being "called extremist", King "gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label" (King 8). He is not bothered about being called an extremist, because "the nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremist" (King 8). He claims he 's one of