MLK Flashcards
What is the Prophetic Tradition? Who said it + where?
Hallmark of a prophet is that a prophet takes their message from god and attempts to influence the community in some way. Prophets also take nonviolent action, which was essential to King. King was in some sense a prophet since he was a public political figure.
(MLK Jr, Letter from Birmingham Jail)
What is the background of Martin Luther King Jr?
He was a pastor from Montgomery, Alabama. He took a leading role in organizing boycotts in response to Rosa Park’s resistance. He helped show the country the conditions of protestors for civil rights. Later in life, he begins focusing on controversial issues such as economic disparity, which angers both blacks and whites.
What is the background of Letter from Birmingham Jail? Who said it + where?
They began protesting to pressure business leaders to end racial discrimination in employment and integration of public facilities. The court injunction banned protests but marchers defy injunction so King is jailed.
(MLK Jr, Letter from Birmingham Jail)
What were the points of the Alabama Clergymen? Who said it + where?
They are representatives of various religious groups. They say: Demonstrations incited violence in others and were unwise/untimely. Criticized how protests were directed and led in part by outsiders. People choosing which laws to obey begets chaos.
(MLK Jr, Letter from Birmingham Jail)
What is the purpose of Non-violent direct action? Who said it + where?
Seeks to create a crisis and foster a tension that a community which has refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue - the creation of constructive tension and compels good-faith negotiation.
(MLK Jr, Letter from Birmingham Jail)
What are the four parts of nonviolent campaign? Who said it + where?
Gathering of facts, Negotiation, Self-purification - commitment to nonviolence, Direct Action - protest with your body.
(MLK Jr, Letter from Birmingham Jail)
How do you decide which laws are just or unjust? Who said it + where?
Either through a philosophical-religious standard or a political standard: Philosophical-religious standard: Need standard of comparison outside human law to judge the justice of a law. Any law that uplifts human personality is just and any which degrades human personality is unjust. Political standard: Based on the difference in procedures that enact/enforce them. Is the majority willing to be bound by the law which it compels the minority to obey? Are the minority excluded from taking part in enacting the law? Is the law consistently applied on all groups?
(MLK Jr, Letter from Birmingham Jail)
How do you respect the law while breaking law? Who said it + where?
Allow yourself to be punished for breaking the law. This shows respect for the consequences and respect for the ability of law to aid justice.
(MLK Jr, Letter from Birmingham Jail)
What were the perspectives of white moderates and the church? Who said it + where?
White moderates: Claim to support goals of civil rights but counsel patience. White church: King has an internal critique because he is one of them. According to him, they had a warped understanding of the Christian message - the prophetic tradition of the church should be support the civil rights fight.
(MLK Jr, Letter from Birmingham Jail)
What is the thermometer v. thermostat argument? Who said it + where?
Thermometer tells the temperature - reflects the situation around it. Thermostat tells the temperature and also changes temperature. King believes the church should be at the forefront of civil rights like a thermostat rather than simply reflecting the situation around them like a thermometer.
(MLK Jr, Letter from Birmingham Jail)
What is King’s view on extremism? Who said it + where?
King was denounced as extremist by white moderates, and at first King calls himself moderate but then changes his tune and calls himself an extremist for love and the betterment for humanity.
(MLK Jr, Letter from Birmingham Jail)
What is the argument for progress and untimeliness in Letter from Birmingham Jail? Who said it + where?
The civil rights protestors were told to wait for the right time and not to rush change. King instead says that time is neutral and must be used to change things because time does not always heal societal ills.
(MLK Jr, Letter from Birmingham Jail)
What are Just v. Unjust laws? Who said it + where?
This is the justification for breaking laws in pursuit of Nonviolence Direct Action. Both are passed by political bodies according to legal procedures - indicating that they are laws. Different moral status; Just laws have no dilemma on its moral status while unjust laws are more complicated. You have a moral responsibility to go against laws that go against unethical laws.
(MLK Jr, Letter from Birmingham Jail)
