The Power of Words

              

The use of words has the power to get the attention of people and effect their decisions

 Kristen Grazia                                                                                               

ENGW 1101

Professor Young

April 24, 2015  

Essay 2: MLK

Power of Words

             “In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends” (King, “Loving Your Enemies”). When Martin Luther King Jr. came to this theory, he understood that words have the power to move people, to influence their actions, and to bring about change. Silence is appropriate at times, but silence can only be maintained for so long. King knew that it was long past the time to break his silence. He not only spoke out against those who were unjust, but he ultimately collected a mass of supporters for his ideology, leading to the civil rights movement. King broke his silence to stand up for himself and other generations to come. Speaking out, acting out, and protesting are American methods of social movement. Today one sees an eminent relevance to Dr. King’s historical “A Time to Break Silence” speech, as it directly changed the history of the United States. Dr. King’s words protesting racism and the violence in Vietnam are relevant to modern American politics and society, because injustice continues and is seen through incidents in Ferguson, Missouri, that have sparked recent outrage.

            In recent years American society has become integrated to the level where the apparent line between African American and white people has disappeared. In the past some state governments wouldn’t allow interaction between white and

black people and enforced this division. Dr. King recognized the injustice of segregation. As a result of King and the civil rights movement, today American society encourages different ethnicities to communicate without judging each other because of one’s skin color. Although our nation has come a long way, discrimination still exists.

             In the same way he acknowledged the unfairness of Americans’ treatment of the people of Vietnam. In his speech “A Time to Break Silence,” Martin Luther King Jr. argues, “For nine years following 1945 we denied the people of Vietnam the right of independence” (King 3). He claims that American policy damaged the Vietnamese in many ways. For example, Dr. King states, “They move sadly and apathetically as we herd them off the land of their fathers into concentration camps where minimal social needs are rarely met. They know they must move on or be destroyed by our bombs” (King 4). In addition, the Vietnamese “have been living under the curse of war for almost three continuous decades” (King 3). Denying freedom to others has been occurring for centuries, and King spoke on this topic to publicize how unjust this problem is. He hoped that the future would bring “ a worldwide fellowship that lifts neighborly concern beyond one’s tribe, race, class, and nation is in reality a call for an all-embracing and unconditional love for all mankind” (King 8). King spoke out against injustice whether at home or abroad.   

            If King were alive today he would speak out against the racism and violence in Ferguson. Although there has been some improvement in the way our society treats minorities, racial justice is not universal. In many places blacks are not

treated the same as whites, especially by the police. The shooting of Michael Brown that happened in Ferguson, Missouri, is a suitable example of how our nation has not yet overcome racism. Brown, an eighteen-year-old black youth, was shot a horrific twelve times by Darren Wilson, a white police officer. Brown robbed a convenience store, which put him on the police officer’s radar. When the two encountered one another, Brown was reported to have his hands up, facing Wilson when the firearm went off all those times. It is unclear exactly why this apparently compliant eighteen- year- old was shot so many times. This barbaric act has sprung the angry attentions of so many who have reacted with uneasiness that this kind of calamity is also occurring to other African Americans. This incident brings attention to police racism in Ferguson and many other places.

  

       

Martin Luther King Jr. giving one of his legendary speeches

Living in a country that is supposed to be free and equal for all, Americans have been broken up by the idea that African Americans are still not receiving equal treatment. Dr. King has pointed out, “America would never be free or saved from itself until the descendants of its slaves were loosed completely from the shackles they still wear” (King 2). The shackles that have been worn continue to burden those whose ancestors have also suffered from the prejudice in American. The Ferguson case shows that African Americans are still experiencing the same racism, dragging the weights that have been carried for so long. The Michael Brown case exposed the fact that America still isn’t free for all, shown by the violent actions of the barbaric police officer.

            Martin Luther King Jr. would have been horrified by such violence. King’s third point in his suggestions to the government was, “take immediate steps to prevent other battlegrounds in Southeast Asia by curtailing our military buildup in Thailand and our interference in Laos” (King 5). King didn’t think it was necessary to have such aggression in the world. His words have touched the minds and hearts of the men and women who have the opportunities to make a difference in the lives of so many who don’t have a voice.

            As Martin Luther King pointed out, the power of words and speaking out is more effective than violence. One’s physical actions may get the attention of many who will want to react in a violent way, but powerful words will spark the inner fire that encourages others to speak up. King has influenced many by his words that are still relevant today. The action that is taken to stop unnecessarily cruel acts for all is best delivered in words.

           

  

Words carry meaning that get interrupted in different way from each individual  

Works Cited

King, Martin Luther King Jr.  “Beyond Vietnam: A Time To Break Silence.” April 4, 1967. Speech.

King, Martin Luther King Jr. “Loving Your Enemies” Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. Montgomery,
     Alabama. 17 November 1957. stanford.edu. Stanford University. Web. 8 April, 2015.