Johnson, Morgan: Diversity

Upon reading the two letters concerning segregation and non-violent protest in Birmingham, a variety of different thoughts crossed my mind.
   
I read the statement by Alabama clergymen first. I read it and was surprised by how open-minded and generous the Southern pious men seemed through their writing. I guess I was expecting lynch threats and outright hatred to pour from every line. The whole letter seemed surprisingly pleasant.
   
But then I began to read Dr. King's letter and felt a little embarrassed that I didn't see through the clergymen's politeness on the first read. And on the second read of the clergymen's letter, I found some double standards. They say that they "recognize the natural impatience of people who feel that their hopes are slow in being realized," but in the last paragraph they "urge" the Negro community to cease to participate in the demonstrations, slowing down the timeline for change in Birmingham.
  
I agree with Dr. King, in that there is no proper time for change. Change in itself is always unwelcome, as it disrupts "the way things are.".If one would wait for a good time to change anything, one would wait forever. Also, some of the points raised in Dr. King's letter minded me of current issues in America.
   
Dr. King wrote, "It is an historical fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily."
   
Cannot this idea not be applied to the Occupy Wall Street movement? In which citizens are demanding economic equality, like Birmingham protectors were demanding racial equality. Like the Birmingham protestors, the Occupy Wall Street supporters are practicing nonviolent protests.
   
If a group of people is underprivileged and unfairly treated, it is their job to stand up and demand the results they wish to see. This is what Dr. King wrote to the clergymen, and this is the principle that all disadvantage peoples should adhere to.
   
I also agree with Dr. King in his view of not being a moderate. It is better to be a strong supporter of a new idea, and to support it fiercely, than to be a flimsy, lazy, or unsure supporter of a just cause. One who does not actively and firmly support their professed cause should not be called a supporter at all.