Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a scholar unlike most, a true one-of-a-kind human. He was able to touch the souls and minds of human beings of all races and creeds through both his words and his actions. He wasn’t an extremist like Brother Malcolm (whom I still hold to high esteem) but he wasn’t a passive individual, either, like I learned in school.
Dr. King wanted the freedom of all oppressed peoples, but especially that of the American Negro, since the law of the land proclaimed everyone to be created equal and the Negro was far from it. With this book, I was able to peer into a brilliant mind and learn that he wanted freedom immediately, but he knew that being explicit with his intent would be lost amongst those who held control at the time.
Through this book, I learned of the many contributions of the late Harry Belafonte (my Fraternity brother - I’m a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.) and how pivotal he was in the civil rights movement, but especially to the plight of Birmingham; I learned about Fred Shuttlesworth and how as the leader of the Alabama SCLC division, he fought tirelessly for his neighbors to have freedom; and let us not forget that of the late A. Philip Randolph (also my Fraternity brother) - a brilliant man and labor activist whose contributions cannot and should not be ignored.
Dr. King realized that he was the general of the civil rights movement, but he recognized his soldiers as well. He realized that he was able to be successful through the contributions of many - children, young adults, parents, clergymen and the like. I wish I had learned about this version of Dr. King in school. My favorite chapter was his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and particularly his discussion of his disappointment in the White moderate, because I share the exact same sentiments today. Please, read this book and take your time with it. Don’t rush. Think critically. And try to understand the plight that we as American Negros still face in the 21st century.
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Reviews with images
I can't recommend Why We Can't Wait highly enough
A truly fine work by a remarkable man, Martin Luther King, engaged in revolution through the principles of direct nonviolent action. A great document on the civil-rights marches of the early 1960s, which includes Dr. King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." This is necessary reading for anyone who wants to learn more about the civil rights events of the 60s.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2024
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Top reviews from other countries
Karlos Reilly
Still highly relevant in 2022
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 17, 2022
eggman
キングは学問と行動が融合したスーパーマン。座右の書にしたい（Letter from Birmingham Jailを読んで）
Reviewed in Japan on May 6, 2022