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Why We Can't Wait (Signet Classics) | 
 enlarge | Author: Jr., Dr. Martin Luther King
Creator: Jesse Jackson
Publisher: Signet Classics
Category: Book
List Price: $9.99
Buy New: $3.84
You Save: $6.15 (62%)
New (35) Used (45) Collectible (8) from $2.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  28 reviews
Sales Rank: 317844
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 240
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 6.5 x 4.2 x 0.6
ISBN: 0451527534
Dewey Decimal Number: 920
EAN: 9780451527530
ASIN: 0451527534
Publication Date: January 1, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
In 1963, Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. launched the Civil Rights movement and demonstrated to the world the power of nonviolent direct action. Why We Can't Wait recounts not only the Birmingham campaign, but also examines the history of the civil rights struggle and the tasks that future generations must accomplish to bring about full equality for African Americans. Dr. King's eloquent analysis of these events propelled the Civil Rights movement from lunch counter sit-ins and prayer marches to the forefront of the American consciousness.
With a special new afterword by The Reverend Jesse Jackson.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 23 more reviews...
Transports you to an inside perspective of The Civil Rights movement May 2, 2008
Eloquently written with careful word choice and countless metaphors. One cannot appreciate the civil rights movement and mourne its current state until they read this book.
 An important piece of history November 9, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gives his account of the Birmingham campaign, which sought to dissolve the Jim Crow status quo. From the outset of his campaign, however, tensions were present not only within the black communities, but also with whites who supported their cause. When he began to plan his strategy for nonviolent demonstrations he found that "there was tremendous resistance to [their] program from some of the Negro ministers, businessmen, and professionals in the city" (King 52). King concluded that there were several explanations for these "tensions," including that blacks "had been skillfully brainwashed to the point where he had accepted the white man's theory that he... was inferior" (King 52). Many also accused King's actions as being ill timed. The infamously racist "Bull" Conner had just lost the mayoral election and many felt that King should give the new administration a chance before demonstrating. King would pass this off as "false-optimism," and perhaps rightly so (King 53). Many also saw King as an outsider, but he combated that notion by arguing that because he was an American and there was injustice in Birmingham, there was no such thing as an outsider, and that he had descended on Birmingham with the request of an affiliated organization to help release the local black population from oppression.
King knew that if he was to succeed he would need a united community and at one point he shows true optimism at accomplishing this unity. "Somehow God gave me the power," he writes, "to transform the resentments, the suspicions, the fears and the misunderstandings I found... into faith and enthusiasm" (King 55). Nevertheless, in the midst of the movement King finds himself addressing more tensions in his response through a letter to an article printed by fellow clergymen critical of his tactics. While defending his actions, he also addresses his disappointment with many white religious organizations for not promoting desegregation on the basis of moral beliefs. More importantly, he describes "white moderates" as being more destructive than even the Ku Klux Klan. He believes that they are "more devoted to order than to justice" and though they vocally support his cause they condemn his method of direct action, and because they prefer a "negative peace" they have become a contributor to the problem (King 73).
Despite these tensions that hindered the cause, at the end of his book King seems to have a somewhat optimistic outlook on the future of the civil rights movement. The path thus far blazed had been substantial and he felt that "the upsurge of power in the civil-rights movement has given it greater maneuverability... and security" (King 138). He saw that "the Negro potential for political power is now substantial" (King 139) and "already in some states and cities in the South, a de facto alliance of Negro and sympathetic white voters has elected a new type of local official - ...[the] nonsegregationist" (King 140). Overall, King felt that "American politics needs nothing much so as an injection of the idealism, self-sacrifice and sense of public service which is the hallmark of our movement" (King 141).
King's optimism was not misplaced. He recognized both the dividing factors and the unifying factors between whites and blacks and between blacks themselves. In 1964, while he was writing his book, President Johnson was busy working on his "Great Society" legislation, which included the Civil Rights Act. This act banned Jim Crow laws, which was King's main objective in Birmingham all along. In fact, he had gained the attention of Johnson throughout his demonstrations, and even received support from the President. Johnson would also pass into effect laws for fair voting in 1965 (furthering King's idea of the black political power), and in 1969 another law involving fair housing would pass through Congress. As the government furthered its involvement into the cause of civil rights King's optimism had begun to pay off. Although the movement would be a torrid river, plagued with stones and dams, King saw the channels with which to ultimately reach the shore of equality.
As a piece of history Why We Can't Wait is certainly important, and at times, as in the letter portion of the book, the arguments are both eloquent and compelling. Unfortunately, as a book it can at times be dry and repetitive. It is worth reading, certainly, but not one to pick up again and again.
The title says it all January 12, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Martin Luther King's work is synonymous with the civil rights movement. His powerful words were the very driving force that helped African Americans change the mindset of America. Why We Can't Wait is thought provoking and extremely well written, making this an exceptional work of literary art.
Martin Luther King Jr. truly was a man of the written word. His ability to string words and create sentences that literally roll off the tongue is nothing short of a miracle. As soon as I picked up this book, I was intrigued by his style and voice. This novel seemed like a very long, well thought out speech. Diction is excellent and King is brilliant in conveying every thought, every feeling he experiences. This book includes his world-famous Birmingham jail notes, another work that is just exemplary. Martin Luther King demonstrated the extreme power of the written word. Martin Luther King had won his reputation with just his mind, voice, and a pencil. . I would advise this to any writer that wishes to improve on their voice, style, and tone.
I will have to admit though that his voice can get bland after too much exposure. Halfway reading through this book, I thought that he was making the same points over and over again in different sentence structures and so forth. His speech is prolonged and sometimes seems much to slow to endure. Martin Luther can spend a whole chapter talking about one incident by bombarding his writing with metaphors and stories that relate to the situation. After a while his voice is almost predictable. The whole book seemed to talk only about a few topics and it really did seem interminable.
Regardless, Martin Luther King was a man that knew full well how to mold people by using words and ideas. His perseverance and hard work should be a model to people of today. Why We Can't Wait is brilliant and should be read with deep respect.
why we can't wait January 12, 2007
King practiced what he preached. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Why We Can't Wait tells the story of King under a whole new light - one that I have never took the time to patiently immerse myself in. I have always taken King's life for granted. I mean, I knew he was a great revolutionary leader, who preached civil disobedience, much like Gandhi. However, I never truly appreciated what he did for his people. This book lays out every aspect of his thoughts. He cared and prayed for not only blacks, but white also. He followed his values and principles.
Throughout the book, He takes you through the workings of his mind. Everything he does is done is an organized fashion, because he truly believes that his way will work as long as everyone participates. He has faith in what he does. His great speaking ability lends him credibility as his charisma appeals to his audience. He understands what his people want. King wants equality as soon as possible, but rushing is never the key. His poised and composed nature gives him patience in everything he does. As obstacles are thrown at him, King takes one step at a time to take care of one problem at a time. He knows that his people are being thrown into jail cells for performing what King preached, but he believes that civil disobedience is the only way to approach this situation. His nonviolence approach does appeal nationwide, and most blacks do follow as they were deeply inspired and moved by his beliefs. As he preached civil disobedience at all costs, he does what he says. He is later thrown in jail in the novel for what he believed. Even though he is the leader of his organization, he was unafraid to face the white jail cells. However, he worried, not about his own health, but his people outside. He was unable to communicate and fully engage meetings to organize more important rallies. Money was an issue as he was faced with conflicts, which arose as a result of white oppression.
Overall, King's account of his civil disobedience approach is insightful and thought provoking. Despite the dangers of his job, he still continues to rally people to a nonviolent solution. The book is written finely as King writes of his personal experiences in a first person point of view. I would recommend this book if you want to find out more about the inner workings of King's mind and struggles.
However, the book gets a bit boring time to time. Though every situation is a process and progress towards equality, the writing does get a bit repetitive and can be easily stated in less information. But the book does give a good account of King's life long struggle towards African American equality.
 Why We Can't Wait January 12, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr. is fascinating, read his book to understand the deepest and most personal thoughts of one of the most influential men in history! This book was a true "eye-opener" for me. History books fail to capture the true emotion and real personality of Martin Luther King Jr. King is commonly known by his "I had a Dream" speech, but after reading his autobiography, you will know that King has changed the world in more ways than one could ever imagine. His life is truly fascinating and hid writing is intriguing and suspenseful. It makes you contemplate how a man who has survived so many struggles and elements that are against him could have had such determination to persevere until his goal was reached.
Through this valuable account of history written by the most important figure in the movements for African Americans rights, one can see the true thought of such a genius character. Every detail of the Civil Rights movement is detailed, the amount of planning and courage that King and his peers were a part of is still unimaginable to this day. You become so involved in the Civil Rights movement when you read you feel as if you were a part of history itself! His thoughts on his most likely assassination, family and America itself can be read as well. This book is definitely a book that should be read in everyone's lifetime, a perfect opportunity to reflect on the past of America, how far we have come to this day and how much more we still need to do to achieve racial equality.
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