Nonviolence and Racial Justice Summary and Analysis

A Testament of Hope is a collection of the writings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. after his rise to prominence in the Civil Rights Movement during the Montgomery, Alabama bus strike. The book is considered "essential writings" and the editor obviously was required to omit interesting portions of Dr. King's writings. This must have been an overwhelming project, and the editor is to be congratulated on his efforts. However, some of the included chapters could well have been eliminated, or shortened. The writings and speeches become repetitious, causing the reader to become "tired" of the constant reiteration of ideas.

There are five points to consider. First, nonviolence is not for cowards. It is nonviolent physically, but aggressive spiritually. Secondly, nonviolence seeks to win the friendship and understanding of the opponent, not his humiliation or...