The Autobiography of Martin Luther King: Chapter 9-12

The Autobiography Of Martin Luther King: Chapter 9-12

After a year of boycotting the bus system and organizing car pools along with walking, King along with the MIA had a series of court meeting in order to try to resolve this social issue. After a number of reviews, it was decided that the separate but equal clause was unconstitutional. The segregation issues on the buses as well as the cities were to be abolished.

With this amazing news towards progress, King quickly addressed the people; in which he said this to them:

“Now our faith seems to be vindicated. This morning the long awaited mandate from the United States Supreme Court concerning bus segregation came to Montgomery. Our experiences and growth during this past year of united nonviolent protest has been of such that we cannot be satisfied with a court "victory” over our white brothers. We must respond to the decision with an understanding of those who have oppressed us and with an appreciation of the new adjustments that the court order poses for them. We must be able to face up honestly to our own shortcomings. We must act in such a way as to make possible a coming together of white people and colored people on the basis of a real harmony of interests and understanding. We seek an integration based on mutual respect. “ (Pg. 96)

This is an amazing sentiment of growth and control. When the average person's pride would balloon up, causing humiliation and disrespect to the oppressor, King saw this as an opportunity to unite with their "white brothers” as he called them. He urged the people to turn their enemy into a friend. That is such great advice for all peoples who are searching for growth as a people.

While those who opposed to the boycotts and the changing of the laws were acting unruly and angry, what better way to retaliate then to show love and understanding to those who oppress you?

With the current progress in the country, there were many advancements. There was still a lot of racial issues that still needed to be resolved. The problem in Montgomery was merely symptomatic of the larger national problem. While the segregation problems were resolving, there were still many white southerners that were angry at the decision. Due to that fact, there was a total of ten bombings in several churches and homes. With some reflection, King wrote:

“All of these factors conjoined to cause the Negro to take a fresh look at himself. His expanding life experiences had created within him a consciousness that he was an equal element in a larger social compound and accordingly should be given rights and privileges commensurate with his new responsibilities. Once plagued with a tragic sense of inferiority resulting from the crippling effects of slavery and segregation, the Negro was driven to reevaluate himself. He had come to feel that he was somebody.” (Pg. 106)

With this realization, King and the MIA decided that they would tackle the obstacle of getting the blacks in the south to gain the right to vote as well as the action of actually voting. He thought if the blacks would have the right to vote, then they would feel and be treated as first-class citizens.

“It demonstrated to me that a climate of hatred and bitterness so permeated areas of our nation that inevitably deeds of extreme violence must erupt. I saw its wider social significance. The lack of restraint upon violence in our society along with the defiance of law by men in high places cannot but result in an atmosphere which engenders desperate deeds.” (Pg. 120)

This was a thought that King had after a mentally ill black women stabbed him at a book signing. I believe aspects of this statement is sill very relevant to the society we live in today. Too many times we allow our hatred and our bitterness to shape our actions, where we may lash out in violence towards those we should encourage and pray for.