Martin Luther King Jr. and Henry Thoreau Debate Essay

Fight For What is chasten A cold, snowy winter nighttime in Birmingham, Alabama whizz of those nights where you would alternatively hold up inside and sit by a fire while sipping on a cup of hot chocolate. non e genuinely unmatched is doing that though, for m some(prenominal) pile walk in the cold all bundled up. Some of the more unfortunate integritys bank check stranded external in the freeze weather with non nearly enough layers to clutch them warm. In Birmingham, a lot of these people lie d throw off of African Americans who cannot afford somewhere to keep warm or are effective simply denied a place to stay based on their skin color.In this day and age, segregation exists between whites and blacks. A huge issue nationwide, plainly when it comes to Birmingham everything is interpreted to a new level. To ensure the separation of whites and blacks, you can discipline plenty of racial signs and other(a) such tactics apply by the city. Although between poove an d Thoreau, no(prenominal) of these resemble an issue they both could stay warm under their nice winter Jackets, both had a place to go back home to and more importantly, one was a white man and the other a black man. Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther poof younger both do themselves very well known and idolized by many.They knew each other through a mutual friend but came into suffer when they ran into one another here in Birmingham. The segregation in Birmingham continues to croak taboo(p) of control with constant bombings and killings of African American citizens, causing certain root words to postulate to ascertain process towards revitalize in Birmingham. The group known as the Alabama Christian Move manpowert for Human Rights called upon exponent to support blend in them in non-violent reform, while Thoreau made his trip here to witness the reforms. Thoreaus time of non-violent reform came nigh geezerhood before major power even began to participate. faggot actually well-educated Just about everything from Thoreaus writing, but Thoreau has no moxie of that at this very moment. What King learned from Thoreau, he put to use more than Thoreau ever did. Right now the dickens men share the same non-violent beliefs and want to spread the word in their own separate ways. As the two men walk down the street they choose in friendly small talk. still thence they come across a black couple denied entry into a restaurant. twain men look at ach other in disgust. They have seen it get hundreds of times, but each time they see it, they have the same disgustful reaction. later what they Just witnessed, the two men started to terra firma their opinions to each other on why they see this type of policy as a disgrace. Henry Thoreau spoke basic with a scornful tone in his voice on how he cannot find his government for allowing instances like these to occur. He continues speaking, l cannot for an instant recognize that political constitution as my government which is the slaves government also (180). In response, King expresses to Thoreau, that you cannot put the entire blame on the government even though they could permute the laws involving segregation.But would that variety show how the white volume feels, especially in southern states. Those people grew up witn certain opinions ot Atrican Americans. King goes on with another strong statement, saying whatever touchs one directly, affects all indirectly (214). With this statement, King tries to tell Thoreau that if they cannot change how people think, then segregation will not change either. After uttering such words, King goes quiet, uncomplete one of them saying anything to each other. Both continue walking with their sums go about forward, trying to fgure out what they are firing to say adjoining.After a a couple of(prenominal) minutes of walking in the freezing cold with a light confidence game of snow, the silence is broken. King ends this when he asks Thoreau how he plans on making a end for racism and segregation. Thoreau does not respond in force(p) away, giving King the opportunity to retort his own question Henry, we need to appoint a difference here in Birmingham. If we do something here then it ay affect the whole nation. And we need to do it in a non-violent manner. He continues, In any non-violent campaign there are quad basic steps collection of facts to get wind whether injustices exist negotiation self-purification and direct action (215). King believes that these steps will lead them to a successful reform against segregation. Thoreau agrees with King that they should reform in a non-violent way, but questions who will Join him. He promptly states,They continue enjoying each others company, but ever since their heated discussions the two have not said one word or even batted an eye towards the other. They arrive at the footsteps of Martin Luther King Jr. s apartment where he says one final comment to end the n ight, Henry, we have a moral responsibility to refuse unjust laws (218). We are nere tor a close and that reason involves making a ditterence. So tomorrow lets get everyone in town together and operate forward with this reform. Thoreau ooks at King with a blank face and continues his way.With his incomparable leaders ability, King leads a reform the next day in Birmingham. The reform in Birmingham took place in 1963, and was led by Martin Luther King Jr.. This action brought attention to the integrating efforts in the city, and during these nonviolent riots the citys police brought out dogs which attacked the civilians. They would also spray the people with juicy powered water hoses. But the reform actions demonstrated led to the government changing the city of Birminghams discrimination laws.