I've Been to the Mountaintop: Violence Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph.Sentence), not including audience responses.

Quote #4

We don't have to argue with anybody. We don't have to curse and go around acting bad with our words. We don't need any bricks and bottles; we don't need any Molotov cocktails. We just need to go around to these stores, and to these massive industries in our country, and say, "God sent us by here to say to you that you're not treating His children right. And we've come by here to ask you to make the first item on your agenda fair treatment where God's children are concerned." (23.1–5)

King's assumption is that people ultimately care more about their economic interests than their prejudices. Keep an eye on the news: we see this strategy on an international level when countries impose economic sanctions on troublesome states to keep them in check while avoiding violence. Boycotts hit people where it hurts.

Quote #5

And then I got into Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out, or what would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers. (44.1–2)

Unless you're really unlucky/annoying, your brother isn't someone who wants to kill you. But MLK calls some dudes who want to kill him his "brothers." What gives?

Well, he's following Jesus' instruction to "love your enemies." Brothers are people we tend to love even when they're total gremlins, and Dr. K had a thing for "brotherhood"—just check out his "I Have a Dream" speech. Maybe if those "sick white brothers" knew they were Dr. King's brothers, they wouldn't be quite so keen on having one less brother.