Future, defined as time still to come. For some, primarily African Americans, the future was envisioned to be a time of horror as inequality was continual. In August of 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was imprisoned in Birmingham Jail due to his contributions in nonviolent protests against discrimination. Clergymen, who were religious and political leaders, issued a public statement where they were concerned with the advancement of African Americans in society. In response, King composed one of the most skillfully written compositions known as “A Letter from Birmingham Jail.” As stated in his letter, “Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance
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King’s statement, outright rejection leads to an advantageous outcome. This allows African Americans to be more resilient. As referenced in “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” “As in so many experiences of the past, we were confronted with blasted hopes, and the dark shadow of a deep disappointment settled upon us. So we had no alternative except that of preparing for direct action, whereby we would present our very bodies as a means of laying our case before the conscience of the local and national community.” This illustrates that King and his supporters’ plead of racial equality was persistently rejected by whites. Political and religious leaders, such as the clergymen, had the purpose to strengthen the society. They had the most influence through the government and churches, but they excluded African Americans from society. This consistent absolute rejection that Dr. King and his followers faced, because of their skin color, only led them to fight harder for their cause. If African Americans were accepted partially, it would have given them a more positive outlook of their status in comparison to whites. Instead, they used this rejection as a driving force to fight for equality. Numerous years passed before rights were given. Above all, African Americans reached a beneficial
King’s statement, outright rejection leads to an advantageous outcome. This allows African Americans to be more resilient. As referenced in “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” “As in so many experiences of the past, we were confronted with blasted hopes, and the dark shadow of a deep disappointment settled upon us. So we had no alternative except that of preparing for direct action, whereby we would present our very bodies as a means of laying our case before the conscience of the local and national community.” This illustrates that King and his supporters’ plead of racial equality was persistently rejected by whites. Political and religious leaders, such as the clergymen, had the purpose to strengthen the society. They had the most influence through the government and churches, but they excluded African Americans from society. This consistent absolute rejection that Dr. King and his followers faced, because of their skin color, only led them to fight harder for their cause. If African Americans were accepted partially, it would have given them a more positive outlook of their status in comparison to whites. Instead, they used this rejection as a driving force to fight for equality. Numerous years passed before rights were given. Above all, African Americans reached a beneficial