Quote by: Martin Luther King Jr.

But it is not enough for me to stand before you tonight and condemn riots. It would be morally irresponsible for me to do that without, at the same time, condemning the contingent, intolerable conditions that exist in our society. These conditions are the things that cause individuals to feel that they have no other alternative than to engage in violent rebellions to get attention. And I must say tonight that a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the plight of the negro poor has worsened over the last twelve or fifteen years. It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. And it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice and humanity.


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Author Bio


  • NameMartin Luther King, Jr.
  • DescriptionAmerican clergyman, activist, and leader in the American Civil Rights Movement
  • AliasesMLK; Martin Luther King; Michael King; Michael King, Jr.
  • BornJanuary 15, 1929
  • DiedApril 4, 1968
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionCleric; Political Activist; Theologian; Orator; Minister; Writer
  • AwardsNobel Peace Prize; Jawaharlal Nehru Award For International Understanding; Spingarn Medal; Presidential Medal Of Freedom; United Nations Prize In The Field Of Human Rights; Gandhi Peace Award; Pacem In Terris Award; Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards