Reading Response

I believe that this is one of the most powerful documents I've ever read. Almost every line has something in it to discover, something new to learn. You could spend days possibly even weeks analyzing this particular piece of text. Since I only have about three quarters of a page i will just focus on the main points. When he writes about telling his daughter that she cant go to the new amusement park because colored children wern't allowed. Or when his son asks why white people are so mean to the colored people. If even a five year old as young and usually nieve as they are to the world can see the terrible things that are happening. It makes me feel very guilty as a white man to think that some of my ancestors may have been one of those people that was totally ignorant and racist. I think he is an amazing person for never being deturred away from the peaceful movement. He never turned to a Malcolm X style of black rights, which was kill anyone who gets in the way of black power. No matter who put him down or what situation he never preached anything but to be peaceful in every situation but still demand respect as a cultural movement. He knows his audience of fellow clergymen because many times throughout the letter he makes biblical references and many historical references as well. His knowledge of the world and the bible was very impressive and it seemed like every reference he made was powerful and was to the point. Thats what was so surprising to me that it seemed like every reference he made was without any form of reference material. Even in prison as mentally and emotionally draining as that would be he still had the emotion and reasoning skills of a great leader. I just can' t fathom the treachery he went through that even jail would not waver your spirit. I respect this man so very much he is one of my all time great heroes. I think what he did is one of the greatest cultural and social victories ever considering the obstacles he had to overcome.

This I Believe

Recently my cousin was convicted of manslaughter after wrecking his car and killing one of the people inside the vehicle. He received six years in a state penitentiary. On the other side of the spectrum, a Cleveland Browns football player was convicted of a very similar crime and only received thirty days in jail.
Two men on opposite sides of the racial and social spectrum were convicted of the same crime, but given two very different punishments. Justice is a funny thing: Depending on which side of the spectrum you are on, it can be fair or completely the opposite. So what is fair? Fair is to have identical rules no matter where you fall in the social order.
Without justice, the main principle on which our society is based, where do we stand? We fall into a society where law has no meaning if you have a large bankroll. From there, we spiral out of control and eventually agitate a large enough group of people so that they form a resistance. Once this group of people does so, there will be a domino effect. Other groups will follow their example and revolt as well.
Is justice equal for all, or is it designed to help the wealthy to keep their power and maintain the status quo? Justice is supposed to be blind, but is it deaf to the rattle of coins in one's pocket? Judging from this story we have a ways to go before reaching justice for all.