The Summer of Our Discontent Summary and Analysis

MLK recounts a young Negro's last words as he is being executed to be calling on Joe Louis the black fighter to save him. It is a prize fighter rather than God, government or white men he begs to save him. Twenty-five years later his plea is transformed to symbolize confidence and challenge from desperation. Another black fighter Floyd Patterson visits Birmingham in the summer of 1963 to show unity with his people. Integration results during the summer appear as fewer signs of segregation in restaurants, hotels, parks and public places. Underlying psychological change takes longer and is less evident. One white executive says Negroes seem to walk straighter. Industry changes slower than retail however since many corporate offices are in northern states where racial injustice does not affect profitability.

MLK contrasts the spontaneity...