Extremist for Love

from Rev. Martin Luther King's Birmingham Jail -
But though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continued to think about the matter I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label. Was not Jesus an extremist for love: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Was not Amos an extremist for justice: "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." Was not Paul an extremist for the Christian gospel: "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." Was not Martin Luther an extremist: "Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise, so help me God." And John Bunyan: "I will stay in jail to the end of my days before I make a butchery of my conscience." And Abraham Lincoln: "This nation cannot survive half slave and half free." And Thomas Jefferson: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal ..." So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice? In that dramatic scene on Calvary's hill three men were crucified. We must never forget that all three were crucified for the same crime–the crime of extremism. Two were extremists for immorality, and thus fell below their environment. The other, Jesus Christ, was an extremist for love, truth and goodness, and thereby rose above his environment. Perhaps the South, the nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists.


Until today, I had never read this letter. I found it referenced in a sports article early this morning.

http://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu/index.php/resources/article/annotated_letter_from_birmingham/#birmingham

I was eleven years old growing up on a cotton farm in Anderson, South Carolina at the time of this letter being written. My skin color is white. Nobody ordered me to think a certain way. But adults made sure I knew the general expectations. Nothing made any sense at all to me. And I questioned everything then, just as I still do now. I did not understand the logic of signs by water fountains forbidding certain people from drinking. When I dug post holes all day with U.T., I did not understand why he was not invited to share meals at our family dining table. So I always went outside and ate beside my co-worker and friend. U.T. is one of my favorite people ever. When the church had a contest to invite the unsaved to revival, I mentioned how I intended to win. But my approach was not allowed since it involved going door to door inviting everyone at every house independent of the color of their skin. I vividly remember losing any further interest in the festivities. But I did point out what I considered to be an obvious and serious conflict.

TigerinLosAngeles - I have often heard the most memorable and well known speeches given by Dr. King and am well aware of his most famous phrases and challenges. The details in this letter were captivating. Each word was riveting. 6,868 perfectly chosen words to respond to an open letter written to Dr. King by eight Birmingham clergymen that had just been published in the newspaper. Apparently a newspaper, Dr. King had received, read, and addressed while in prison for civil disobedience in Birmingham. His letter is one of the most perfectly written documents that I have ever read.

What does this have to do with Clemson? The enrollment of Harvey Gantt at Clemson occurred in January 1963 just prior to the writing of the letter discussed above.

Well written - I had similar experiences except I rode

bicycle down to see Harveys Enrollment - it was well publlicized with most famous newcasters of the day - about one year of Meredith enrollment At Miss, where there was big riot. We wanted to see the broadcasters more than anything. No incidents - very peaceful, I think the networks were disappointed. I am proud of Clemson and Harvey Gantt, who most of you know became well known architect then Mayor of Charlotte, and almost beat Jessie Helms for senate. There is great museum named after him in Charlotte. Thanks for the memories, tigeron '66     Love makes labour light. Love alone gives value to all things.  St. Teresa of Avila(gratefulness.org) As you press on for justice, be sure to move with dignity and discipline, using only weapons of love. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.