Words Against Weapons Whoever first claimed that “sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt” was mistaken. Words are some of the most powerful weapons created by man. Violence begins -- and ends -- in communication. I agree with the statement “Words are more powerful than weapons.” Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Nelson Mandela have all made remarkable changes with the power of words. In Julius Caesar, Brutus and Cassius are able to turn people against their own friends. According to Charlene Carruthers, a writer for Washington State University said Martin Luther King stated “Nonviolence is not sterile passivity, but a powerful moral force which makes for social transformations”. Martin Luther King was widely known for his work and improvements to the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He believed that violence would not solve anything, instead he used the power of words to inspire millions of people around the world. While nothing is perfect nor complete in the battle for civil rights, the efforts of King and those like him have changed the country and the world, for the better, in noticeable ways. His vision has made the world a more equal place, because of the power of his words. …show more content…
It seeks to eradicate obstacles to restoring God’s rule on earth and to defend the Muslim community against infidels and apostates. ISIS is notorious for spreading hatred, beheading victims on camera, and instigating deadly terrorist attacks. ISIS is trying to dominate the world through terror and violence. It has demanded that Muslims across the world swear allegiance to ISIS and migrate to territory under its control. ISIS is using force and weapons to try and take over the
The mighty river flows through the mountains with liquidity and nurture providing life for all those who wish to take a sip from it. Yet the river is powerful in its own force destroying even the largest rocks, crumbling them into small pieces. People may be able to stop the river for a short time or even dry it up but the water always comes back in one form or another, every dam is bound to fail. Some people have been able to harness the power of the river, redirecting the mighty water making it flow in constructive ways. Similar to the river, language is influential. Its true power is not seen by the naked eye but by those who study it, those who use it as their ally in a war of linguistics. In Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter, Birmingham City Jail he is able to use all three rhetorical appeals to prove that demonstrations lead to negotiations and benefit for both sides of an argument.
Many people believe verbal communication to be a very powerful way of expressing oneself. Words gain there power when the volume is raised and lowered alternatively to make a point. Additionally, the influence of speech can manifest itself in a number of ways. It can be used to humiliate, to intimidate, to flirt and to threaten, all of which are integral and pragmatic strategies to win a power struggle.
“The pen is mightier than the sword” (Bulwer-Lytton 1839). Hence, iconic political figures have used language to force individuals to think and act on important issues that encompass society. Activists like Malcolm X and Helen Keller exemplify this power and perspective of language in the realms of approach and progress.
Martin Luther King has given America a plethora of great advice, speeches, letters, and memories. He has tried to make America a better place and has wanted the United States to live together in harmony with each other no matter our race, religion, or beliefs. Mr. King was a very peaceful man and believed in nonviolent protests, marches, boycotts, and sit-ins. He did not believe in social injustices though and would go to stand up for what he believed in. In his letter from the Birmingham jail Mr. King is quoted saying, "I am in Birmingham because injustice is here." Mr. King believed in facing social injustices wherever they were. He stated in the letters that "Injustice anywhere is a thre...
(Ansbro, 231) instead of promoting love and violence among all races. King’s purpose in promoting nonviolence direct action was to create a situation so crisis packed that it will inevitably open the door to negotiations. He felt that practicing nonviolence would portray his followers as moral beings while making apparent the brutality of the segregationists. King’s preaching of nonviolence was monumental in succeeding in demonstrations such as the Montgomery bus boycott and the desegregation of public schools. King’s reaching of nonviolent direct action furthers the arguments that King is the most influential person of the twentieth century.
Dr. King echoed nonviolent protest even through his greatest struggles. In his “Letter From Birmingham Jail”, King still evoked the want for nonviolence against those who committed acts of injustice. Even though he deplored the actions that the members of the white community were doing, he still stressed the need for a peaceful campaign.
Martin Luther King, Jr. has stood the test of time and proved to be one of the most influential humanitarians in history. As a leading Civil Rights activist of the twentieth century, King has seen man's inhumanity to man with his own eyes; in fact, he himself has been subjected to it. King lived during a time where people were sent to jail for not giving up their seat on the bus, and little boys were physically tortured and mutilated for flirting with another person. In all of this, Martin Luther King was conscious. He lived during a time where oppression was so alive that it was not only expected, it was enforced. In all of this, King did not senselessly fight fire with fire. With a spiritual grounding and a fiery heart, King reached the root of the problem in the most astounding, peaceful manner. He did not allow anger to rise within him, which was an amazing strength given the social turmoil he witnessed with his own eyes. He was a trailblazer, leading the civil rights movement towards victory.
Since King became active in the civil rights struggle movement, he honestly believed in peaceful mode of challenging the status quo at the time. Dr. Martin Luther King vehemently believed that violent would not solve the black problem. He was conversant of the fact that to challenge an established authority needs much strategy and planning. That for the black movement to alter the social and political landscape of America, the blacks needed to appeal to the sympathy and the empathy of the whites.
“As someone who stands here as a direct consequence of Dr. King’s life work, I am living testimony to the moral force of nonviolence” (Obama, line 75-77, paragraph 75) emphasizes Obama’s agreement and admiration towards Martin Luther King’s peace making methods through nonviolence, along with providing proof itself towards this as well. “. . . nonviolence is the answer to crucial political and moral question of our time- the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression” (‘Acceptance Speech’ by MLK, paragraph 4) implies MLK’s acknowledgment and recognition of violence and, nonviolence. He does not disregard nor eschew the presence of violence because, he knows that it has taken place before, and still does happen. MLK emphasized this throughout his speech by mentioning examples of actual occurrences of violence against the people participating in the movement of blacks but, he emphasizes and sets a mood for them as well by using strong word choice. For example “I am mindful that only yesterday in Birmingham, Alabama, our children, crying out for their brotherhood, were answered with hoses, snarling dogs and even death” (MLK, paragraph 2). Martin Luther King’s main objective has the same intentions as Obama, to achieve peace. “Sooner or later all the people of the world will have to discover a way to live together in peace, and
Martin Luther King Jr. came from a middle class home with two loving and supportive parents. He was born in Georgia, January 15, 1929. Dr. King Jr. was one of three children. The impact he had on black and white audiences changed the way they viewed segregation and unity. He was such a revolutionary orator that he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Martin Luther King Jr. was the living definition of a prototypical nonconformist, which is a person who does not change their initial thoughts or actions based off of what others do. The reason prototypical nonconformist defines him so well is because his speeches were written to inspire all races, especially young African Americans to use non-violence to resolve any issues and to never lose sight of their dreams. His most famous “I Have a Dream” speech spoke about uplifting one another to help achieve each other’s goals with the absence of hatred and violence. He also brought forth the knowledge that God does not see any race more superior than an...
A few men in history made a mark that is still standing today. One of those men is Martin Luther King. King was inspired by Gandhi who once said be the change you wish to see in the world.” From looking at history I can tell that King took this to heart. He never was violent and made sure be model himself as the way he wanted the world to act.
"Nonviolence can touch men where the law cannot reach them." These words, uttered by the late civil right's leader himself, were the fundamental tenet of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life. These words, though few in number, are great in power. These words, simple, plain, and concise, provide a rubric with which to investigate Martin Luther King, Jr.'s creative genius and intelligence.
Dr. Martin Luther King vehemently believed that violence would not be the ultimate solution the racial tensions aimed towards the black community. He was aware of the fact that in order to challenge the social order, he needed to spend time generating many strategies for them to use. For the black movement to flip or change the social and political landscape of the US, the blacks needed to grasp the sympathy and the empathy of the whites. King was aware that turning to violence could help deepen the mistrust and hatred towards the black people, and that a compromise might possibly be more effective through dialogue, compassion and through leading to the hearts and minds of the American people and the
“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” (Martin Luther King Jr.). Martin Luther King Jr. was an inspiration and a revolutionary. King was an intelligent child, his character was formed by his experiences, he created an impressive list of achievements, his main value was equality, and he left behind a very influential legacy.
Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that; Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. This quote shows how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. kept trying to drive out the hate of segregation and to change it to better the lives of many, but he did much more for us. Martin Luther King, Jr. changed the world by standing up for black rights, he impacted the world, but believed in nonviolence. In the end he helped the world be equal and have a bit more peace. He left a legacy as the father of peace.