While watching the Martin Luther King, Jr. video, I wondered why many African Americans after King's death started to riot in their anger to blame and attack white people. It is not that I don't understand why they were angry, but I think that their reactions to King's death is a betrayal of his ideals and everything he was fighting for. Can you understand their reactions and think about it the same way I do, or do you have other explanations for the outbreak of the riots in April 1968?
Martin S. - 5th HourPhotos from the Chicago Sun Times:
http://www.suntimes.com/realchicago/1960s/index.html
9 comments:
The reaction to the deat hof MLK was understandable, to an extent. Of course they were angry, and especiallly since he was KILLED, it was frustrating to them, they wanted to know who was to blame. However, i think that they all knew that had MLK been there, he would have been very dissapointed in what his own followers had turned to. MLK had lived a life of peace and as his follower, you were expected to do the same. I am sure, that MLK assumed that his followers were with him because thye belived in the same ideals he did, and we're interested in reaching the common goal of peace an fairness-he would have been very hurt to see that as soon as he was gone, all that he had worked for was gone. At least, the immediate reaction is not how he would have wished for his death to be handled.
-Crystal S. 6th hour
I think that their reaction was definately understandable, but they shouldn't of went as far as they did. They lost one of their best if not one of their best leaders, and with that said they were not sure what they were going to do without Martin Luther King Jr. He was the one that provided them with the nessary things and words of incouragement when they needed them the most. So I think that it was understandable that they were going to Lash out in some way, and in a way I think that is what the person that assignated M.L.K wanted he wanted there to be some kind of "fighting back" he wanted there to be some kind of fight with the blacks and the whites, and this was just what he wanted, he killed a very important person in the Civil Rights Movement and he started a huge riot with MLK's people. But on the other hand I think that they should not have went and killed people that did not deserve to die, so I think that they went to far. And Also it was like something snapped in their heads, because they didn't think about what Martin Luther King wanted, he wanted them to fight PEACEFULLy that doesn't mean when he is assignated they can just forget all of that, he probably thought that his followers were with him and actually listend and beleived what he said, so yes i think that they were out of line, but on the other hand it is TOTALLY understandable if you think about it.
Alexandra
5th hour
I can understand their reactions to an extent; I think MLK would have been very disappointed to see what had happened after he was gone, because of his death. MLK took his entire life trying to change the world around us and after his death, his followers reacted in a very strong way, and acted the exact opposite way that he would have. I do understand that they were upset and they were trying to find someone to blame, and yes I would be very upset my self, but if they just stopped and thought about MLK and what he was working for his entire life, I think they would of reacted very differently, but who can really say. They should have just moved on with all of MLK’s inspirational words of wisdom and should of moved forward with his movements, and what he lived for. I do understand, but I just think they took it to fare and went against every this MLK ever worked for.
Erin D
6th
The reaction to Mlk's death was a lil bit far but they had a purpose. some white person probally killed MLK which is going with racist people and people aren't equal. The person who killed MLK killed a important political leader for the blacks and the minorities. The minorities mainly blacks felt like we use non-violence but you use violoence so lets show you violence feels for a change. The blacks took this murder of MLK really personal as i or any minority out there would have if we lived back then.
Gil Clark
5th hour
I agree wholy with Crystal. i think that if I had lived during that time I would have been really angry and maybe would have rioted along side of them. MLK was their leader and everything to the African American people at this time, and now that he was gone they didn't know what to do. They were even angrier because he was assasinated. I think they went a little too far though, with all the riots and outbreaks and stuff. I agree with Crystal when she says that MLK would have been very dissapointed to see what happened if he had still been alive. He was fighting for non violence and peaceful resistance, but veeryone lost all their senses and went crazy. It is understandable, but it's definantly not what Martin luther King would have wanted.
colleen moran
I agree that the people’s reactions to King’s death are a betrayal of his ideals and everything he was fight for. I think I understand it that same way Martin does. I can understand why the people who believed in Martin Luther King Jr. would be terribly upset. First of all, it can be tough to lose anyone close to you. A family member, friend, or even a leader like Martin Luther King Jr. These “victims” went too far with these violent actions. The entire city was raging with violence after the assassination of Martin Luther King and I believe that it is wrong to do that. Its acceptable that people would be disappointed but the fact that they started destroying things isn’t going to make anything better. If they want the world they live in to be a better place, they should be the role models that they would like to have. All the people were trying to accomplish the same goal and it would be hard to push forward if you knew that your leader was killed fighting for your rights. I also think that instead of violence somebody should have offered a non-violent solution to counter the fighting that was occurring. By offering a non-violent solution this would help the more “mature” people different ways to deal with their anger besides fighting. Some people could have forgotten Martin Luther King’s values after his death but that does not make up for the destruction of their city that was once a home to this powerful, strong leader.
I think the reaction of MLKs death was because their first thought was that a white person had commited the murder, since King stood up for black power. I understand how people were hurt and maybe they didn't know what to do since there leader for sometime was now gone. Who was suppost to save them and make them equal like they were suppost to be? I feel as if so many questions were going threw their heads at this time. Therefore I feel that the riots were to calm themselves and make them feel like the had power.
-Kellie H.
I agree that the people’s reactions to King’s death are a betrayal of his ideals and everything he was fight for. I understand it that same way Martin does. I understand why the people who believed in Martin Luther King Jr. would be terribly upset. First of all, it can be tough to lose anyone close to you. A family member, friend, or even a leader like Martin Luther King Jr. These “victims” went too far with these violent actions. The entire city was raging with violence after the assassination of Martin Luther King and I believe that it is wrong to do that. Its acceptable that people would be disappointed but the fact that they started destroying things isn’t going to make anything better. If they want the world they live in to be a better place, they should be the role models that they would like to have. All the people were trying to accomplish the same goal and it would be hard to push forward if you knew that your leader was killed fighting for your rights. I also think that instead of violence somebody should have offered a non-violent solution to counter the fighting that was occurring. By offering a non-violent solution this would help the more “mature” people different ways to deal with their anger besides fighting.
King Carr 6th hour
I do agree that in essence the people’s reactions to King’s death are a betrayal of his non-violent morals and what he stood for. Although i think the reaction from people across the nation was necessary. I believe the reactions were necessary because his death was so untimely and unfair because he had done nothing but good things. On top of that nobody knew who had shot him, so there was nobody to blame. I know if I had been around at the time of King's assasination I would have been rioting right alongside the rest of them.
Eric P. 5th
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