“Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?” was written by Martin Luther King in 1967 while in isolation in Jamaica, reflecting in the state of American race relations and the movements after a decade of struggling in the US civil rights. The book presents hope and guides Black Americans on what to do with the new freedom of Voting Rights Act of 1965 achieved during the Civil Rights Movement. King believed that the next phase of movement would have its challenges since African Americans continued to demand better jobs, decent housing, better wages, equal education, and many others. Across chapters 1, 2, 5, and 6, King argues that all Americans need to unite to fight poverty and create equal opportunity.
Summary
Chapter one of the book "Where Are We" reflects African Americans' lives and the aftermath of the civil rights movement. African Americans were victims of violence from the law enforcement during a nonviolent demonstration for voting rights. One year later, leaders involved in the capitol demonstration to ensure implementation of the Voting Rights Bill of 1965 lost their job positions, which symbolized a radical change of tactics ( King, 2010). Although the government assessed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, it was not guaranteed that the federal government would implement the policies. While civil rights laws declare Black Americans' rights, they do not necessarily mean they will be fully delivered or implemented. Few years after the Civil Rights Movements, black Americans in Baltimore, Harlem, Haynesville, and Bogailousa lived in a worse situation than before the Civil Right Movement ( King, 2010) . Equality and justice for all remain an issue of concern in America. Although many Americans considered themselves committed to justice, racial disparity became rampant among the middle-class. Some of the rights granted, like education, means that in the future, it will be purchased at a cost, and the quality will be hard to achieve. King went further to explore the persistence of racism in the US, and the rising demands of Negros would lead to structural changes in the society resulting in a new phase of white resistance. Future demands like better jobs and high salaries will be even challenging to achieve than voting rights since they are unwilling to sacrifice for the poor. The chapter concludes that although civil rights granted Americans some rights like voting, they will have a tough time ahead fighting for structural racism as seen in the current American society,
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In the second chapter of the book on "Black Matter," King explores the rise of Black Nationalism and the persistent use of the slogan "Black Power." Black Power meant different things to different people, and those who misinterpreted it acted violently. However, the slogan was not an effective basic strategy for the civil rights movement in the future since it carried a connotation of violence and interracial separation ( King, 2010). Civil rights movement activists like Martin Luther King maintained that their civil rights goals would be achieved through nonviolent methods. However, some organizations and individuals who were frustrated by the outcome were ready to adopt violent means and black separatism. King, however, tried to transform the slogan from encouraging violence by arguing that the slogan was a call for Black people to amass economic and political strengths to achieve their legitimate goals. Across the chapter, King indirectly criticizes the slogan arguing that it indicated despair and disappointment; this was a form of Blacks cry of pain, “The cry of Black Power is really a cry of hurt” ( King, 2010) . King condemned black separatism, arguing that it will affect African's future progress unless the entire American society agrees to change economic justice.
In the fifth chapter on “Where we are going," King argues American government has failed to implement programs recommended in the Civil Rights Movements that would empower Black Americans, leading to equality and justice. Although the whites await the Blacks to present the program, it is difficult to present it because Blacks are powerless. Moving forward, Black Americans are concerned more about getting power and organize their strength before the program. By doing, so, it will be hard for the government to elude their demands ( King, 2010) . Blacks, therefore, need to focus on understanding ideological, political, and economic forces that obscure power sources. Also, the development of independent and representative political leaders will bring white reforms that will favor Negros. In chapter six, "The World House," King argues that emerging technology and modern science would create a vision for the entire society irrespective of race. Technology and modern science would unite the society making every race important, “All inhabitants of the globe are now neighbors” ( King, 2010). The United States is expected to be a global leader in technology, and modern science should rise above to offer adequate protection to all irrespective of race and status. Americans can only be great leaders if they show compassion. The nation should use available resources to improve the quality of mind and spirit and instill morality by caring for each individual's love and care.
Internal Critique
“Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?” is a well-organized book by Martin Luther written immediately before his assassination in 1968. The book is well-organized, persuasive of the future of Black Americans, and is well researched. Throughout the six chapters shows high creativity and strategic thinking that contribute to an overall effective organization. Ideas are well organized and making it easy for the readers to understand the book's overall content. The events of the book are also organized chronologically. King begins by analyzing the situation following the Civil Rights Movements, changing nature of Black Power, Racism, the dilemma of Negro Americans after the movement, where American society is going and the world house reflecting future of the society characterized by advancement in science and technology ( King, 2010) . The organization makes the book easy to read since every chapter explores a certain theme in detail.
The book is persuasive and applies various rhetorical elements of ethos, logos, and pathos. Being a key leader in Civil Rights Movement, King has established credibility in addressing Black Americans' issues in American society and pointing failures and the future of the movement. Across the book, King has appealed to the emotions of the audience through vocabularies and tine. When reading the book, one can hear King's cadence and link the same to Black Americans' lives. Also, King has achieved persuasion by using facts and logic. Through the persuasive styles, King manages to lay out his plans, thoughts, and dreams of America, including better jobs, higher wages, decent housing, and quality education. The book is written in a moderate, constructive, and pragmatic tone portraying King's unique leadership quality. The book's tone helps King lay his message of hope that technology and science will eventually change the situation by eradicating poverty and bringing equality.
The book shows that the author researched the present American society and connected the same to the future. The last two chapters of the book show that King did adequate research to understand society's trends, especially in politics, technology, and science ( King, 2010) . King wrote the book when there was no technological advancement like cellphones, the internet, computers, cable television, and social media. The content, however, shows that Luther understood the trends where the society was committed to making advancement in few decades. Through research, Luther knew that American society would soon advance its technologies and become a global leader in science and technology. He understood the trends in economic development, education, and affordable housing, hence writing a book relevant in the 21st century. The book's conclusion is warranted; King presents undefeated concluding arguments drawn from the evidence covering the book's overall theme and gives hope of a better America to Black Americans.
Personal Critique
When reading the book, I got a different view of King as a brilliant leader who had a great vision for America. Before reading this book, I had mistakenly assumed something negative about King Lither. The book, however, changed my perspective as I understood his good intention towards creating a just and equal society. King Luther understood the problem with American society and offered a great solution to solve racism, poverty, and inequality. Across the book, King weaved words to bring intense light to Blacks and Whites' ignorance. When reading the book, I relate the argument of King to the current situation in American society. I believe that the book reflects the current happenings in America. While Blacks received voting rights and other human rights, they face a huge challenge of structural racism present in almost every institution like education, healthcare, and housing. The critique of economic development, education, and affordable housing spoken by Kings is evident today in America.
The information presented in this book helps understand Black Americans' lives during and after the Civil Rights movements. Through the book, I have understood the second phase of the movement characterized by radical cha ages in American society. The future of American requires unity and collaboration among all races to achieve equality in culture, economics, politics, education, and religion that define American culture. Also, I admire how Luther wrote the book with a vision of a better society characterized by advancement in science and technology.
Questions for Discussions
What does King Luther mean by “The cry of Black Power is really a cry of hurt”? Does it mean Black live under the mercy of Whites and are unlikely to enjoy democracy and justice?
Will America ever achieve integrity, equality, the rule of law, and democracy through non-violence methods in this current era of structural racism?
Will Black Americans ever manage to lay the seeds for the civil rights movement in the 21st century to reclaim democracy, equality, and liberty for all?
How has technology and modern science helped American society eradicate poverty and achieve equality?
Reference
King Jr, M. L. (2010). Where do we go from here: Chaos or community? (Vol. 2). Beacon Press. https://www.uni-five.com/upload/doc/82818file.pdf
