T ul P ortland O bserver » F ebruary 28, 1996 BLACK HISTORY (Elp? “J Ía rtía itb (©baertrer The Negro Is Your Brother B y D r . M artin L uther K ing J r . (Editor's note: From the Rirming- -ham jail, where he was imprisoned as a participant in nonviolent dem­ onstrations against segregation, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote in longhand the letter which follows. It was his response to a public state­ ment o f concern and caution issued by eight white religious leaders o f the South.) While confined here in the Bir­ mingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling our present activities “unwise and untimely.” Seldom, if ever, do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all of the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would be engaged in little else in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work. But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I would like to answer your statement in what 1 hope will be patient and reasonable terms. I think I should give the reason for my being in Birmingham, since you have been influenced by the argu­ ment of “outsiders coming in.” I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization operat­ ing in every Southern state, with head­ quarters in Atlanta, Ga. We have some 85 affiliate organi­ zations all across the South, one be­ ing the Alabama Christian Move­ ment for Human Rights. Whenever necessary and possible, we share staff, educational and financial resources with our affiliates. Several months ago our local affiliate here in Bir­ mingham invited us to be on call to engage in a nonviolent direct-action program if such were deemed neces- sary We readily consented, and when the hour came we lived up to our promises. So I am here, along with several members of my staff, because we were invited here. I am here because I have basic organizational ties here. Beyond this, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Just as the eighth-century prophets left their little villages and carried their “thus saith pel of freedom beyond my particular hometown. Like Paul, I must constantly re­ spond to the Macedonian call for aid. Moreover, I am cognizant of the in­ terrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and no, be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice every­ where. A Tribute To M y Real Heros Living in a world full o f bitterness, racial tension, and violence I grew up watching my “Super Heroes” on television. I had many heros like Batman the cape crusader, Robin the boy wonder. Superman, spiderman and many more crime fighters whom I called my heroes. side ihe United States can never be considered an outsider. You deplore the demonstrations that are presently taking place in Birmingham. But I am sorry that your statement did no, express a simi­ lar concern for the conditions that brought the demonstrations into be­ ing. I am sure that each of you would want to go beyond the superficial social analyst who looks merely at But deep in my heart I always knew who my real heros were, the ones that paved the way for me and all other African Americans like me. It was the true crusaders like Fredrick Douglass, SoJoumer Truth, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Medger Evers, Rosa Parks, and many, many more civil rights leaders who lost their lives fighting the real battles. They fought not with guns, and knives, but with much faith, hope, courage, diginty and pride. It was you “My Real Hero’s” who survived the dark nights, it was you who severed the storms, it was you who was strong, firm and steadfast and would not be moved, it was you who ran the race, who kept the faith, and kept hope alive. Truly you are my “real hero’s” and the wind beneath my wings. Well done my great and faithful hero’s, well done. I thank you. —Kelly Hollins BALLOONS «ALORS! BALLONS FOR ALL OCCASIONS & EVENTS • Birthday Bouquets • Grand Openings • Corporate Functions C all ab o u t Our STORK FOR R E N T “We D eliver When You D eliver” Balloons G alore! Police Chief Laurie Pritchett o f Albany, Georgia, placing Martin Luther King Jr., and Dr. W.G. Anderson under arrest. the Lord” far beyond the boundaries of their hometowns; and just as the Aposjle Paul left his little village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to practically every hamlet and city of the Greco-Roman world, I too am compelled to carry the gos- We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator" idea. Anyone who lives in- O Latex & Mylar O O Gift In A Balloon! Q O Decorating Service O Delivery Service Available 503/331-1101 effects and does not grapple with underlying causes. 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