P1B
Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Great American Hero
On a beautiful spring day in Memphis, as I waited outside the National Civil Rights Museum for a tour guide, I took delight in the old decrepit buildings and factories that surrounded the unobtrusively modern museum. The picturesque and evocative industrial-age structures reminded my unconscious of pictures from American History books and PBS documentaries long forgotten. In my mind, I played the appropriate blues music to accompany the imagined workers walking up and down the sidewalks, lunch-pails in hand. History was tangible in this place. Somehow, this small section of Memphis had resisted the forces of time and McDonalds. The feelings of happiness and sadness, success and loss, compassion and oppression still inhabited the upright lampposts and crumbling bricks. Permeating the charm of the river port city, however, was the overwhelming feeling of tragedy.
The feeling gently and patiently grew on me as I noticed the motel I had been standing next to (see Fig. 2). What would now be seen as a sleazy, cheap motel was certainly a luxury in its time, with doors painted a very “sixties” shade of aqua and fronted by geometric, mod-art railings reminiscent of the same time period. The motel was eerily familiar, its image persisting in an elementary-school-history-class memory. After considering the overall impression of the motel, the details slowly led me to the reverent realization of precisely where I was. A small wreath hung on the second-floor balcony in front of one of the rooms. The cars parked near the hotel were models from the 1960’s, as if part of a set. It took me an embarrassingly long time to realize that the motel was, in fact, part of the museum. Before the painful realization of the site’s historical significance had a chance to sink in, the guide approached the group of tourists and said, “You are standing next to the Lorraine motel. The wreath hanging on the banister,” which he pointed to, “is the place Martin Luther King Jr. was standing when he was assassinated shortly after 6 p.m. on April 4, 1968.”
Fig 2. Group of tourists outside the Loraine Hotel
The word "assassinated" echoed through the street like a gunshot, and seeped into the porous walls of the surrounding buildings. The city, desecrated by the reverberating utterance, had long ago lost its innocence. I stood transfixed before the funerary wreath that memorialized the place where the grave tragedy took place. The world around the Lorraine Motel slowly disappeared, and I was forced to focus on the aqua door, the lonely wreath, and the word that too frequently disrupted the linear flow of history—assassinated.
Absorbed in this new reality, I felt King's presence as if he was living. Peering through one of the hotel doors, I saw him preparing for what he thought would be a normal day. He prayed for his family, fellow civil rights activists, and even his segregationist opponents. He walked between his bed and desk with the serenity of a man at peace with himself. When he stepped on to the balcony to enjoy the morning, however, the deafening sound of a bullet tore the calm air apart and exposed the naked ugliness of reality. The horrific antithesis to King’s peaceful and faithful nonviolence campaign for human rights, James Earl Ray’s assassination of the civil rights leader was one of the greatest crimes committed against humanity. Finally escaping this dreadful reality, I was left in a state of spiritual despair.
I was initially surprised by my powerful reaction to the site of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. As a white middle-class male, I have not been directly affected by King's role as an African-American cultural leader or as a leader of the civil rights movement. However, the thought of his assassination had deeply affected me because of my great respect for King as a humanist whose message transcends social, racial, and cultural affiliations. His message is that social justice is a goal for all of humanity, not just various groups of oppressed people. To me, King represents an ideal that human rights are to be cherished above all else. I had never directly thought about King’s death before my experience at the National Civil Rights museum, because the idea is too surreal to me. I link his murder to the murder of the ideal for which he stood for. When I stood in front of the Lorraine Hotel, I was forced to look at that melancholy wreath and acknowledge humanity's self-destructive nature.
Soon after entering the museum, I found a display featuring King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail," which I had recently read. As I looked over the document, I remembered my feelings of triumph when reading it for the first time. In his letter, King had won a battle for humanity. Every paragraph forcefully claims new territory for social justice and human rights. This letter still remains the primary source of my great respect for the civil rights leader.
The letter was written while the civil rights movement was at its peak. In May 1962, King went to Birmingham, Alabama to assist with the civil rights movement in the heavily segregated city. He initially ran workshops on nonviolent protest, and eventually led nonviolent sit-ins and marches. The white segregationalists responded with violent attacks on the marchers and with bombings, the worst of which killed four little girls in a church. After one peaceful protest in April of 1963, King was arrested and jailed. While in jail, he responded to a statement made by eight clergymen called “A Call for Unity,” which admitted that social injustice did exist, but asked that it be resolved in the courts rather than on the streets. King’s response was an eloquent defense of nonviolent protest and its role in attaining a just society.(1)
King did not only uphold an ideal for all of humanity to follow, he fought for that ideal, even though he had to take horrible blows. Because King worked toward his ideals, he is an example of a great American hero. Martin Luther King Jr. is well defined by The Oxford English Dictionary’s antiquated definition of “hero” which is a man “of superhuman strength, courage, or ability…[and] regarded as…immortal.” (2) King’s superhuman strength, courage, and ability is well documented in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”
The first heroic quality displayed in King’s letter is his ability to masterfully craft arguments that appeal to both logic and emotion. His ability to communicate his values and arguments for social justice is the primary source of his historical influence. One of the best examples of King’s reasoning abilities is his justification of disobeying unjust laws, such as the segregation laws and the laws which restrict marches without permits. He first distinguishes between just and unjust laws. Just as one is morally obligated to obey just laws, King says “one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” (3) He supports this claim by citing Saint Augustine. King then cites the philosophers Saint Thomas Aquinas and Martin Buber to define an unjust law as “any law that degrades human personality.” (4) Specifically appealing to his audience, this definition refers to the Judeo-Christian idea of inherent human dignity. He ends his argument with a well-placed condemnation of his opponents when he writes, “In no sense do I advocate evading or defying the law as the rabid segregationist would do.” (5) By saying this, King both exposes the segregationists’ disregard of the desegregation laws and contrasts their “rabid” nature to the peaceful protests that King supports.
In addition to his masterful appeals to reason, King exhibited the keen insights into humanity required to craft compelling emotional arguments. The following example of the dehumanizing effects of segregation targets the paternal emotions that his intended audience of priests and rabbis would most strongly respond to:
- I guess it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say wait. But…when you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six-year-old daughter why she can’t go to the public amusement park that has just been advertised on television, and see tears welling up in her little eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children, and see the depressing clouds of inferiority begin to form in her little mental sky, and see her begin to distort her little personality by unconsciously developing a bitterness toward white people…then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait. (6)
Often, segregation was considered a merely external difference between white and black people. The group of people who King would call “mild segregationalists” would not dispute that both races should possess the same rights. They simply believed that it was more peaceful for the two races to abide separately. In the previous passage, Kind exposes the harmful overlook of the insidious psychological effects of segregation. The “depressing clouds of inferiority” which form in a child’s “little mental sky” is an example of the subtle evil caused by segregation. By negatively affecting the way a child perceives himself, segregation prevents the child from being fully human. The psychological effects of segregation and oppression are difficult to recognize and therefore are even more harmful than outright violent attacks. When oppressed black people were assaulted by white policemen, as they often were, they could recognize the attacks as outright injustices and preserve their human dignity. However, when segregation distorts the very personality of a child, the child has no method of defending himself. King adeptly illustrates the more underhanded effects of segregation and serves as a hero to those who have been deprived of their humanity.
His many speeches, demonstrations, and marches proved that the courage required of a hero was one of King’s main attributes. He criticized the Church for being “more cautious than courageous” because he considered courage to be a necessity in the quest for positive change. (7) He was bewildered by the white moderate who admitted that segregation was unjust, but preferred to allow time to take its course to end segregation. King denied that time was by nature a creative force that could cause positive changes to happen. “Actually,” he said, “time is neutral. It can be used either destructively or constructively.” (8) By insisting “We must use time creatively,” King demonstrated his courageousness. He was willing to be the direct cause of change in society, even though this made him, as well as his wife and children, constant targets of extreme racist groups. Heroically confronting danger, he consistently sought to use time creatively through countless demonstrations.
King acknowledged the “force of bitterness and hatred” in the black community that “comes perilously close to advocating violence.” (9) King’s heroic strength allowed him to avoid the lure of violent retaliation against the unjust treatment of his people and to use nonviolent campaigns to seek justice. One of the questions nonviolent protesters had to ask themselves was “Are you able to accept blows without retaliating?” (10) The question seems almost unnatural. How is justice to be won without such retaliation? King understood that strength was not shown with the fist, but with the unfaltering will.
The final criterion of heroism that King displays is immortality. Nowhere is his immortality more present than the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. His statue in the east mall reminds students of his presence among them. His outreached hand is a beacon of compassion and solidarity. He wears the robes of a preacher, alluding to his moral uprightness. The quotes around the base of the statue remind onlookers of the civil rights struggle to which he gave his life.
When I first saw the statue on the campus of my university, I was immediately reminded of my experience at the Civil Rights Museum. I again looked reverently at the likeness of the great leader and felt the presence of an American hero. I wanted to discover the origins of the statue, so I journeyed to The Center for American History on campus and found news footage of the statue dedication.
Fig. 3: MLK Statue
The statue originated in the dreams of three students in 1987. They wanted to bring some balance to a campus where statues of Confederate leaders proudly stood. Five years later, students took a serious step toward the realization of the original dream when they planned a method of financing the sculpture. They suggested that one dollar be added to the tuition of every student each semester to fund it. The student body responded overwhelmingly favorably to this financing plan. On September 24, 1999, the sculpture was officially dedicated during a ceremony that included a speech by Martin Luther King III, the son of Martin Luther King Jr.
The statue should remind us of the civil rights movement at the University of Texas. The sad history of segregated dorms and drinking fountains still lingers on this campus when a racial joke is uttered by a student unaware of its implications. Fortunately, the existence of the statue also reminds us of the positive aspects of the civil rights movement. The students who crusaded for the MLK statue can be likened to the students of the civil rights movement who participated in sit-ins at southern lunch counters. Indeed, the triumph of the statue committee is an extension of the triumph of the noble and heroic efforts of the youth of the past.
The presence of Martin Luther King Jr. reflects the values and goals of the University of Texas. Dave Winter, who helped start the MLK Statue Foundation, commented on the day of the statue dedication that “the values that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for matter to people here at the University and obviously matter to enough of us to make [the dedication of the statue] happen.” (11) King stood for justice, equality, love, and compassion. These ideals transcend the civil rights movement and affect daily university life. I think it is important to understand that King is first a humanist and moral leader who only happened to be alive at the time of the civil rights movement. We can still look toward him for inspiration to aid us in the social struggles of our own time. As a hero, King should inspire the students of UT to be courageous and strong.
King stands for the ideals that I value and find important, I will never forget the recreation of King’s Birmingham jail cell at the National Civil Rights museum. I saw the small isolated desk from which he wrote his powerful document on human rights and remembered his playful self-criticism: “Never before have I written a letter this long (or should I say a book?)” (12) It is hard to believe that he could retain his sense of humor after suffering countless indignities. But, it is exactly this poise and patience that made King such a crucial leader for the civil rights movement. After reading King’s letter, I felt that my soul was somehow intertwined with his extraordinary soul. His mission to promote social justice is the same goal I have inherited.
Endnotes
- 1. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed., s.v. "Martin Luther King Jr.," <http://find.galegroup.com/gvrl/infomark.do?&type=retrieve&tabID=T001&prodId=GVRL&docId=CX3404703562&eisbn=0-7876-9124-0&source=gale&userGroupName=txshracd2598&version=1.0>
- 2. Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. "Hero, n.,"
- 3. Martin Luther King Jr., "Letter from Birmingham Jail" (American Friends Service Committee, 1963), 6
- 4. Ibid., 7.
- 5. Ibid., 7.
- 6. Ibid., 6.
- 7. Ibid., 11
- 8. Ibid., 9.
- 9. Ibid., 9.
- 10. Ibid, 4.
- 11. KVUE 24 News Report, Video (1999; Austin, TX).
- 12. Martin Luther King Jr., "Letter from Birmingham Jail" (American Friends Service Committee, 1963), 13
Works Cited
King, Martin Luther Jr. "Letter from Birmingham Jail." American Friends Service Committee, 1963.
KVUE 24 News Report. Video. 1999; Austin, TX.
1A Responses to Others
To: Cheryl Joseph
Date: 09-27-2005 15:34
Subject "At a young age, she came to the realization that she did not possess the features that made other girls in her neighborhood known or well-liked, such as light skin, fragile features, or a small body."
I think some sentence-rearranging would enhance the second paragraph. Most importantly, i think the sentences about the father can be placed at the beginning of the paragraph. Those sentences might also work well if they were combined or shortened in some way. Next would come the sentences about "separation from her community".
The part about Barbara's new life at school should be a separate paragraph. Here's a revision of a two sentences and a reworking of the paragraph structure:
"At a young age, she came to the realization that she did not possess the features that made other girls in her neighborhood known or well-liked, such as light skin, fragile features, or a small body."
I think could be shortened and clarified to something like this:
"At a young age, she realized that she did not possess the neighborhood girls' attractive qualities such as light skin, fragile features, or a small body."
In the next sentence, "Instead, she would have to compensate for her appearance with a non-physical characteristic." Barbara's vocal mastery sounds more like a arduous task than a "gift" or "talent". You might consider rewording it like this:
"Fortunately, she would soon discover a talent that would change her life forever."
Then, you can make the next sentence the beginning of a new paragraph if you take out "luckily".
An overall question you might want to address is what makes you feel compassionate or sympathetic for Barbara, and what makes you feel connected to her.
To: Eleanore Knox
Date: 09-27-2005 16:31
Subject "I attempted to sound as though I understood all that her name implied, as I thought guilty about all of the other members who had deliberately signed up in hopes of getting to meet her."
Hey Eleanor,
You're paper was really fun to read! The only general/conceptual idea I think you may consider working on is the short discussion of the nature of past and present ghosts. Is the idea of past and present really that closely connected to the idea of the influence of ghosts that you segue into?
I suggest the following revision to the sentence i quoted in the subject:
Attempting to sound as though I actually knew enough about Ann Richards to be excited, I thought guiltily about the other members who had been filled with hope when they signed up for a chance to meet her.
Also, I know this is kind of silly, and i know you most likely do not eat live goldfish, but, you might want to change "goldfish" to "goldfish crackers". Maybe this rather hilarious image only popped into my head because I knew a guy who actually ate a live goldfish (i went to an all-guys school where things like that happen...). I just wouldn't want anyone to misunderstand you.
Forum: Susan Shaffer
Date: 09-30-2005 17:33
Subject I later told Professor Williams of the incident and he was profoundly upset that such a thing could happen and apologized profusely for him.
I later described the incident to Professor Williams who was profoundly upset and appologized profusely for his colleague.
(I just thought the "him" was slightly ambiguous)
I thought the paper was excellent. You really mapped your ideas--and the ideas of the ghosts--thoroughly. Speaking of maps, you might want to consider drawing a visual map of your journey. It might be a useful visual aid. But, I couldn't really think of anything you could leave out or put in to your paper.
To: Thomas Lopez
Date: 09-30-2005 17:51
Subject Without any real option after receiving my summons to the Dean¿s office, I left my room on the second floor of Prather dormitory, walked down 21st street and up the south mall to Dean Parlin¿s office in the English Building.
Upon receiving a summons to the Dean's office, I left my second-floor room in Prather dormatory and walked to Dean Parlin's office in the English Building on the south mall.
I suggest that you re-think your introduction. It should establish strongly that the narrator is not you, but a student from the 40's. The first three sentences don't have any significance for the rest of your story. If nothing else, you can scrap the first paragraph completely and just start with, "It has been almost six years....".
To: May Flam
Date: 09-30-2005 19:34
Subject It seemed like a friendly and social place in which to live.
You can drop the "in which": It seemed like a friendly and social place to live.
After your return from MIT, you stop at Jessen Auditorium. But, it seems that nothing really happens there. Is it necessary to spend so much time at that place?
To: Ben Gustafsson
Date: 09-30-2005 19:17
Subject At last I arrived at a big wooden door inside of which I heard the scrambling of chairs and low voices.
At last I arrived at a big wooden door through which I heard the scrambling of chairs and low voices.
Ben, I think you should find a way to connect your initial paragraphs about Yale into the conclusion of the paper. It seems like you had ideas forming, but they weren't complete by the end of the paper.
To: Anush Emelianova
Date: 09-30-2005 20:01
Subject His eyesight returned in 1913, fortunately enabling him to enter Balliol College at Oxford ¿ with the aid of a magnifying glass
Fortunately, his eyesight improved in 1913, enabling him to enter Balliol College at Oxford with the aid of a magnifying glass
I think "fortunately" should be at the beginning of the sentence because it should modify "his eyesight returned" rather than "enabling". I think "improved" would be a better word choice than "returned" because his sight didn't entirely return. Also, the dash is unnecessary.
I want to know what Anush is feeling and thinking. And, of course I mean this solely in the context of your paper. Your philosophical discussion is really intriguing, but what are you going to do now? What have you learned in your spiritual journey by talking to Mr. Huxley?
To: Laura Anderson
Date: 09-30-2005 18:20
Subject I sat down rather nervously that day in the class which had started meeting over a week ago; I had gotten in off the waitlist the day before. Another thing that had happened the day before was that I had gotten an email from an English advisor telling me
I really enjoyed reading your paper Laura. I actually laughed out loud during parts of it.
These are the sentences for which I am giving suggested revisions:
I sat down rather nervously that day in the class which had started meeting over a week ago; I had gotten in off the waitlist the day before. Another thing that had happened the day before was that I had gotten an email from an English advisor telling me that I didn¿t have the prerequisites for the class I was now enrolled in.
And here are the suggested revisions. Do what you please with them:
I sat down rather nervously for my first creative writing class, which had started meeting over a week ago. The day before, I had gotten off the class's waitlist and, almost simultaneously, received an email letting me know that I didn't have the prerequisites for the class I was now enrolled in.
And now for more global changes:
I think everything that goes before "I sat down rather nervously..." should go after "The 20-person group was deathly silent as Professor Casares called roll."
P2B
Martin Luther King, Jr. Bot
To find Dr. King, find your way to the MLK statue located at UT. His spirit often inhabits the bronze sculpture.
MLK Statue Room:
On the brightest day of summer the sun seems to bleach the world around you into a white, hot, heat that pulsates against your retinas. The light seems to dance in shades of red and brown on the skin of a motionless character before you. Finally you recognize the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. standing in the east mall. The reflection of sun on bronze, your memories of elementary school history class, and maybe even a trace of King's spirit make the statue appear lifelike. His outreached hand extends toward you as a beacon of compassion, solidarity and what is more palpable -- hope. His robes, the robes of a preacher seem to move in the wind, reminding you of true moral uprightness. You can almost hear King's powerful vocal cords repeat the quotes around the base of the statue which remind onlookers of the civil rights struggle to which he gave his life.
The quotes on the statue:
"I have a dream"
"Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed."
"A man who won't die for something is not fit to live."
"We will meet your physical force with soul force."
The students walking around the statue add to its lively energy. King's spirit has become part of the university. As you come to realize this, you move closer to the civil rights leader and begin asking him questions...
(Click on the description of Martin Luther King Jr. for suggested topics of conversation)
Martin Luther King Jr. Bot
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I feel so blessed that you have come to talk to me on such a fine day.
If it doesn't bore you, ask me for some biographical information such as when and where I was BORN, my various LEADERSHIP roles and other accomplishments, and don't forget to inquire about my ASSASSINATION.
Make sure to ask me about segregationist BIRMINGHAM, Alabama and my stay in Birmingham JAIL. And don't forget to ask how a STATUE of me ended up at the University of Texas.
If you are too uncomfortable striking up a conversation with a reverend, I dropped a note near my statue with more topics.
May God bless you all,
Reverend King
Keywords:
letter:
I'm glad that you have asked about my "Letter from Birmingham Jail". When I was arrested in BIRMINGHAM, I had a lot of free time in jail. As a response to a letter called "A CALL FOR UNITY," I analyzed the reality of segregation and defended NONVIOLENT PROTEST and its role in attaining a just society. [5]
jail, Birmingham jail:
In April of 1963, I was arrested and jailed for peacefully protesting in Birmingham, Alabama. But, you better believe I used my free time to my advantage! I responded to a statement made by eight clergymen called "A CALL FOR UNITY," which admitted that social injustice did exist, but asked that it be resolved in the courts rather than on the streets. I have heard that my "LETTER from Birmingham Jail" has gotten pretty famous since then... [2]
birmingham:
In May of 1962, I went to Birmingham, Alabama to assist with the civil rights movement in the heavily segregated city. I initially ran workshops on NONVIOLENT protest, and eventually led nonviolent SIT-INS and marches. Boy, you would never guess how the white segregationists RESPONDed to our peaceful efforts! [2]
respond:
The white segregationists responded with violent attacks on the marchers. They even attacked our churches with bombs, the worst of which killed four little innocent girls. After one peaceful protest in April of 1963, I was arrested and jailed. Fortunately, I was able to use my time in the BIRMINGHAM JAIL productively... [2]
A Call for Unity
Eight clergymen wrote a statement called "A Call for Unity," which admitted that social injustice did exist, but asked that it be resolved in the courts rather than on the streets. In essence, these respectable men asked me to WAIT. Wait! Don't even get me started on that awful word! [5]
wait:
*I guess it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say wait. But...when you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six-year-old daughter why she can't go to the public amusement park that has just been advertised on television, and see tears welling up in her little eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children, and see the depressing clouds of inferiority begin to form in her little mental sky, and see her begin to distort her little personality by unconsciously developing a bitterness toward white people...then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait.* [1]
statue:
My statue in the east mall of the University of Texas originated in the dreams of three students in 1987. They wanted to bring some balance to a campus where statues of Confederate leaders proudly stood. Five years later, students took a serious step toward the realization of the original dream when they planned a method of financing the sculpture. It was interesting how they FINANCEd it... [4]
finance:
Students who wanted my statue added to the UT campus envisioned a method of financing the sculpture. They suggested that one dollar be added to the tuition of every student each semester to fund it. The student body responded overwhelmingly favorably to this financing plan. On September 24, 1999, the sculpture was officially dedicated during a ceremony that included a speech by my son, Martin Luther King III. I was so proud of him. You know, those students who took the initiative to begin the MLK statue fund remind me of the students who participated in SIT-INS. The youth in this great nation should learn from the examples these fine students set. [4]
assassinated, assassination
Shortly after 6 p.m. on April 4, 1968, I was assassinated by James Earl Ray. I had been talking with my associates on the balcony of the Hotel Lorraine when I was shot.
National Civil Rights Museum
At the site of my assassination in Memphis, Tennessee, the National Civil Rights museum now reminds visitors of the movement I lived and died for. This is one of my favorite places to "haunt". I am proud that my message has lived on to this day.
University of Texas, UT
In 1999, a bronze STATUE of me was put in the east mall of the University of Texas. How my statue got there an interesting story...
nonviolence, nonviolent, nonviolent protest
I had admired Mahatma Gandhi's principles of nonviolent resistance for many years. However, this type of protest was very difficult. I would have to ask my fellow activists, 'Are you able to accept blows without retaliating?' [1]. The question seems almost unnatural. How is justice to be won without such retaliation? You must understand, my friend, that strength is not shown with the fist, but with the unfaltering will.
Sit
The sit-in movement was an excellent use of NONVIOLENT RESISTANCE to cause positive change. African American students organized these protests against segregation. The students would peacefully request to be served at segregated restaurants and fill the restaurant to capacity so that it would get no other business. White students and other sympathizers often joined in these nonviolent protests.
leadership,
After being appointed pastor of a Baptist church in Montgomery, Alabama, i became involved with with various civil rights activist groups. I led a campaign of NONVIOLENT RESISTANCE by staging protests such as SIT-INS and bus boycotts.
born
I was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta Georgia. I was the son and grandson of Baptist preachers who greatly influenced my CAREER choice. [2,3]
career, education
I graduated from Morehouse College in 1948 when I was only nineteen with a degree in sociology. Initially, my goal was to become a doctor or lawyer, but my father encouraged me to continue in the family tradition and enter the Baptist ministry. So, I went to Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania. While working on my doctorate at Boston University, I became the pastor of a Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. From that point on, I seemed to be recruited for various LEADERSHIP roles for the civil rights movement. [2, 3]
1964:
In 1964, my efforts in the civil rights struggle were finally rewarded with a Nobel Peace Prize. The passing of the Civil Rights Act in the same year was an even more rewarding victory. However, despite the successes of this year, the struggle for civil rights was far from over. [3]
Works Cited
1. Martin Luther King Jr., "Letter from Birmingham Jail" (American Friends Service Committee, 1963), 6
2. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed., s.v. "Martin Luther King Jr.," http://find.galegroup.com/gvrl/infomark.do?.
3. Who's Who in the Twentieth Century, s.v. "King, Jr, Martin Luther," http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?.
4. KVUE 24 News Report, Video (1999; Austin, TX).
5. Keith D. Miller and Emily M. Lewis, "Letter From Birmingham Jail," The Concise Oxford Companion to African American Literature, ed. William L. Andrews, Frances Smith Foster, and Trudier Harris, (Oxford University Press, 2001), http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t52.e355.
2A Responses to Others
To: Cheryl Joseph
Date: 11-13-2005 20:37
Author: DILLON, BRIAN ANDREW <briandillon@mail.utexas.edu>
Subject Re: Interplay of Place: Barbara Jordan
When we hear stories, we realize that narratives are a powerful form of communication, expressing emotions, reactions and experiences in a personal way that increases the listener¿s ability to relate to and learn from the narrator¿s encounters.
You might want to revise the verb and adjective "number agreement" in this sentence:
When we hear stories, we realize that narratives are powerful forms of communication which express emotions, reactions and experiences in personal ways that increase the listeners ability to relate to and learn from the narrator's encounters.
It was good that you integrated many aspects of our class into your project. However, I think you should use the ideas of "The Mystery" and "sense of place" more carefully. These themes, which we have talked about in class, have not been defined or confined to mean one specific thing. They imply ideas with multitudes of interpretations and meanings based on the context in which they are used. Sometimes you used a theme from class without providing much of a context. For example, the sentence, "By promoting this unique outlook on life, Patten was essential promoting 'The Mystery'" boils down the idea of the mystery into one simple term. The Mystery by nature is much more complex than that. Instead of simply referencing the mystery, try to explore this theme in your narrative about Barbara Jordan's life.
To: Puja Parekh
Date: 11-13-2005 21:36
Author: DILLON, BRIAN ANDREW <briandillon@mail.utexas.edu>
Subject Re: Ask Robert Rodriguez to come out and play!
Hey Puja,
Robert Rodriguez is quite an interesting guy. You picked out alot of great facts about his life to integrate into your bot. I especially liked your music. I actually went back to the room once because I had the melody stuck in my head!
For the keyword "Troublemaker", the sentence "Personal space is part of the reason I came back home to Texas." might need to be revised. It seems to be the need for personal space, not some evil, club swinging goblin called personal space, that influenced Robert to go back to Texas. Here is a possible revisions:
My need for personal space is part of the reason I came back home to Texas.
To: Ben Gustafsson
Date: 11-13-2005 20:15
Author: DILLON, BRIAN ANDREW <briandillon@mail.utexas.edu>
Subject Upon your appearance in the room he casts a scornful look up at you and says coldly my lectures are not for tourists [3].
Hey Ben,
the sentence:
Upon your appearance in the room he casts a scornful look up at you and says coldly my lectures are not for tourists [3].
should have quotes like this:
Upon your appearance in the room he casts a scornful look up at you and says coldly 'my lectures are not for tourists' [3].
When I tried most of the keywords, I only got a random reply. Check that out and make sure all the keywords have been entered correctly.
Also, I think you should make the keywords flow more naturally. Anticipate the possible natural conversations. While your bot listed a few facts, I felt deprived of my interactive internet experience.
To: May Flam
Date: 11-14-2005 09:36
Author: DILLON, BRIAN ANDREW <briandillon@mail.utexas.edu>
Subject Re: Speck (again)
Hey May,
Since you asked for it, I'm just going to write my ideas for your paper as i read it.
You wrote:
Though I enjoyed this enticing language and the author¿s ideas, I felt that I needed a rest. The novel had led me to ponder my own living situation.
I think you should instead write:
Though I enjoyed this enticing language and the author¿s ideas, I felt that I needed a rest to ponder my own living situation.
This clearly shows that the reason you need rest is to ponder.
I think you need to reconsider using the terms "sense of home" and "sense of place" because you haven't really described for the reader what these ideas mean. Instead, craft your writing to explore the idea of a sense of place. This would still provide the same connection to our class, but the outside reader would be able to follow more easily.
"Maybe I am just here because of perfectionism and type-A tendencies which in no way relate to my life¿s meaning."
I'm not really sure what that means or how it relates to the context.
The idea of home seems important, so make sure you use the word carefully. You say "I have done a good job making this once-nasty room into my home" then you say "I might not feel at home here yet." This seems to be a contradiction. Just be careful so you will be able to make your point more clearly later on.
I don't think you say that the people who pass by have "dumb faces." Try looking for a synonym. Would stolid work? That also implies dependability, but maybe these emotionless people are, in fact, dependable to a certain extent.
In the paragraph starting "I had had a lot on my mind at this time" you should move the sentence "Only an architect could inspire me to like Austin, I figured" to right after "...I felt that Mr. Speck could help me find it."
"This perspective could be used in other fields, I deliberated." I don't think "deliberated" is the right word.
I liked the quote about the tramway from the introduction. Try to tie that into the conclusion to make your paper seem more connected.
Great paper, May. I want to go see Baker House at MIT now!
Peace,
Brian.
To: Susan Shaffer
Date: 11-13-2005 22:04
Author: DILLON, BRIAN ANDREW <briandillon@mail.utexas.edu>
Subject Re: Sweatt goes botty
Hi Susan,
I am not sure if we are supposed to correct sentences for our fellow student's moo projects, but just in case we are, i picked the easiest edit:
The schools extensive holdings of legal archives include the 1980 edition of the Tarlton Law Library.
Needs to be:
The school's....
Your bot was excellent. Capitalizing the keywords is the best innovation I have seen for bot-coversation in the MOO.
I noticed that on one response you had two keywords capitalized, meaning that the bot-conversation could take different courses. I think this kind of technique could unlock the bot's capabilities. Usually, bot-programmers seem to think of their keywords very linearly, so that the conversation follows a very distinct course. However, I think adding more keyword choices to each response would make the bot seem infinitely more "intelligent". Try doing this a little bit. See if you can connect all of your keywords in a web-like structure.
To: Noel Wells
Date: 11-13-2005 23:15
Author: DILLON, BRIAN ANDREW <briandillon@mail.utexas.edu>
Subject She's about to burst out of her skin, and matters aren't helped when Owen boldly reaches for her hand and gives her a boyish, yet mischievous
She's about to burst out of her skin, and matters aren't helped when Owen boldly reaches for her hand and gives her a boyish, yet mischievous
look.
The phrase "matters aren't helped" is too conventional. Try something like, "...and is further flustered when..."
I loved your script, Noel. It was really enjoyable to read, and the "its all just a dream!" ending was executed marvelously. Its hard to say adding anything would be an improvement, since the timing and momentum of your project is a major asset. However, maybe you could reveal more of your own goals in your dialog with Owen Wilson. Also, what kind of effect does he have on you?
To: Thomas Lopez
Date: 11-13-2005 23:33
Author: DILLON, BRIAN ANDREW <briandillon@mail.utexas.edu>
Subject The red book sat on his desk with a beautiful white tree on its front cover.
The red book sat on his desk with a beautiful white tree on its front cover.
This sentence is ambiguous because it appears that the desk has a white tree on its cover. Revise it something like this:
On his desk sat the red book with a beautiful white tree on its front cover.
I'm glad you were able to experiement with this type of narrative form, but I don't think you develop your central theme--the power of storytelling--enough. Try cutting out alot of the frame-story and try to explain exactly why stories are so important. It might help you to come up with a thesis, and work around that.
To:
Date: 11-13-2005 22:48
Author: DILLON, BRIAN ANDREW <briandillon@mail.utexas.edu>
Subject Nebrija was shocked, but enjoying the scandalizing gossip thoroughly.
Rachel, darling,
I absolutely loved your charming, historically accurate tale of Zacuto and Nebrija. You certainly have a knack for writing engaging prose. As a side note, I am not sure if that is how to spell "knack".
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I noticed that the sentence:
Nebrija was shocked, but enjoying the scandalizing gossip thoroughly.
could use a few verb tense corrections. Namely, "enjoying" should be "enjoyed". Should "scandalizing" be "scandalous"?
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Also, I wanted to call attention to this sentence (a quotation from Nebrija):
¿That audacious man must have had the right friends! April 3rd¿ but isn¿t that the day of¿ the day of the expulsion?¿
Perhaps the "must have had" should be simply "must have" because it seems that Colombus would still have these friends and probably still require the support of these friends.
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Another sentence:
The scallop shell had been donned proudly by centuries of pilgrims on their search for discovery, religiosity, and a greater connection with God.
I initially wanted to change "search" to "searches" to agree with "pilgrims". But, then, i figured the sentence should go something like this:
The scallop shell had been donned proudly by centuries of pilgrims searching for salvation and a closer relationship with God.
OR
Centuries of pilgrims searching for salvation and a closer relationship with God proudly donned the scallop shell.
I thought that a "search for discovery" was kind of redundant, and "religiosity" is a bit awkward, even if it is, technically, a word. Salvation seems like a good substitution since that was the very reason the Pilgrims went on pilgrimages.
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Just a small suggestion on this sentence:
As if imbued with the power of their devotion, the image held him transfixed, and a slight shiver passed through him.
To attribute more power to the image, you could rewrite the sentence thus:
As if imbued with the power of their devotion, the image held him transfixed and sent a slight shiver through him.
BAM! That's one powerful image!
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Another:
His attention was again draw to the surprising weight of the tiny wrapped parcel in his open palm.
Make this more active:
The surprising weight of the tiny wrapped parcel in his open palm once again demanded his attention.
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His eyes are red, whether from the smoke or the wine bottle in his hand it is hard to tell.
Suggested revision:
It is unclear whether his eyes are red from the smoke or the wine bottle in his hand.
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Rachel, I really enjoyed your paper. I can not suggest a general change that could improve your excellent paper. I tried to make up for my lack of such a suggestion by providing extra grammatical revisions. Perhaps one thing you could focus on as you revise your paper is creating an active voice. Like that image of the seashell, try to imbue all of your words with power by replacing passive verbs with active ones.