A time to break silence

 

Jamyl Bey

Engw_1101

Prof. Young

Essay 2

4/9/15

A Time to Break Silence

The speech given by Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4 in 1967, entitled “Beyond Vietnam a Time to Break Silence” in New York City peacefully protests America’s involvement in the Vietnam War and the way that America was going about it.  One point that King makes in his speech is that it is time for Americans to protest their government’s wrongdoing in Vietnam and break the silence. Another American who urges fellow countrymen to break their silence about an American civil issue is the character John Brown from James McBride’s novel The Good Lord Bird. He speaks out on ending slavery, which, in his eyes, is a sin against the Lord. Both, King and Brown, are examples of men who decided to break their silence because of the fact that innocent lives were being taken without a justified cause while the American government stayed silent and allowed it to happen.

Martin Luther King protested against the loss of innocent lives when he delivered his speech on April 4, 1967. In it he said, “I have moved to break the betrayal of my own silences and to speak from the burnings of my own heart, as I have called for radical departures from the destruction of Vietnam, many persons have questioned me about the wisdom of my path” (Martin Luther king Jr.). Here, King shows it is time to break his silence about the war in Vietnam and his country’s wrongdoing. He wants America to find a new path than the one it is currently on since this one only brings destruction. His point is also that since he is an American, it is his duty to speak out when something urges him to even though some might question why he is doing it. King holds himself to a high moral code when he breaks his silence on Vietnam.

Brown is another man who holds himself to high morals and ethics due to his religion, which he shows when he openly rejects slavery even at the risk of having to kill those who support it and attack him.  Early on in the novel, he makes his stance against slavery in the tavern. “Free the slave from the tyranny of sin! And scatter the sinners as stubble so that the slave shall forever be free” (McBride 12). Brown means the white man when he refers to “the tyranny of sin” (12). In his view, the white man has sinned by enslaving others since all are free who liver under the Lord. He believes in abolishing slavery so that all slaves can live free forever and the white men can start his path to redemption and finding the Lord.

King believes that America’s path to redemption starts by addressing the American government and the American people when he says to them.  “Now, it should be incandescently clear that no one who has any concern for the integrity and life of America today can ignore the present war” (King Jr.).  King indirectly criticizes his government for ignoring the war and not showing concern for American soldiers who are losing their lives in Vietnam. He also speaks out when saying that America’s character is being questioned by the decision to continue on with the fighting in Vietnam. He is also saying that those in America who care about this country should be addressing the war and the fact that it needs to stop.

Unlike King, Brown takes more of a any means necessary approach to accomplish what he intends to do, which is freeing the slaves even if it means creating a makeshift government. “In the name of the Provisional Government of the United States, I, President John Brown emeritus elected, E pluribus unum, with all rights and privileges hereto, selected by a Congress of your brethren, I hearby pronounces you is all free. Go in peace, my brother Negroes!”(McBride 382).  Brown takes action since he believes if the government will not abolish slavery, then he will assume the role as President and do it for this failed government.  Whereas King calls on the government to correct itself, Brown attempts to correct it himself.   

In conclusion, when is it a good time to break silence it is good to break silence when something goes against your moral and ethical or religious code. Then you should speak against it like King and Brown did.  Of course there are different ways to go about you can chose the peaceful way like Martin Luther King Jr. Or you can chose the any means necessary way like John Brown did. No matter which way pick time to break silence in today’s society.  Break your silence against innocent people being killed.  Break the silence of the injustice of the American legal system.  Also the fact that even in today’s society racism is still relevant.  So as a country it is time for us to stand up together and break our silence.