Renato Ramblas
Monday March 2, 2015
Professor Young
English 1101
Essay 2
A Time to Break Silence
Who
are the people who have the power to speak for those who cannot? The words of the
people cannot be heard if the people in charge don’t allow them to speak. It is up to those who have
the power that can and will represent the people to break our silence. April 4th 1967 Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech entitled “Beyond Vietnam a Time to Break Silence” protesting America’s
involvement in Vietnam. King urges Americans to
speak against the actions of the American government in a peaceful manner
rather than be silent about it. Just
like King others are also breaking silence in order to get their point across
for instance Sibonia
from James McBride’s novel The Good Lord
Bird. She is black woman seeking freedom from slavery for herself
and other African American in America. Being silent will not solve your
problems but letting your voice be heard will promote change.
In
1967, black Americans were not equal in a world run by whites. Although the white
government thinks blacks were indeed equal to whites at this time they were
wrong. If blacks were
equal then why did America have segregated schools and bathrooms? Martin Luther King Jr. protested the lives of innocent Americans
both black and white when he delivered his speech Beyond Vietnam a Time to Break Silence. King states, “I have moved
to break the betrayal of my own silences and to speak from the burning of my
own heart, as I have called for radical departures from the destruction of
Vietnam” (King). Despite
how America made it seem fighting this war in Vietnam was necessary King broke
his silence to reveal that it actually wasn’t. Though many
people believe he should keep his mouth shut, King sees an opportunity to speak
his mind so that it may result in change.
Just
like King Sibonia also sees an opportunity for change. As a slave in Miss Abby’s plantation she is
planning a rebellion against the white man for enslaving her people. Eventually Sibonia does get
caught conspiring to murder whites but it is what she said that was so
impactful. When she was
charged with inciting rebellion Sibonia, declares "I am the woman" (McBride
162) without any fear. Sibonia
is not afraid for her actions in contrast she is proud of it. In her view, being silent
and not admitting to the crime is far worse than what is to come for Sibonia.
Above
all King empathizes as Americans we should stand up for injustice not just overseas
in Vietnam but in our own country as well. When addressing the American people King says “We
are called to speak for the weak, for the voiceless, for the victims of our
nation and for those it calls "enemy," for no document from human
hands can make these humans any less our brothers” (King). As a country a war should
not be the answer to unite the American people for a brief period of time. Americans no matter your
race or color are equal at all times not just in a time of war when we need men
to fight for our army. King
speaks out for the men of color and whites that are working together in Vietnam
“the voiceless” that someday change will occur in America where men of color
and white people could live together and experience the brotherly bond they
have formed fighting for their country.
Unlike
King, Sibonia takes more of a direct approach as she tries to accomplish her goal
as she confronts her enemy face to face. When Sibonia was getting interrogated by whites
because of her actions Sibonia also said “And I am not ashamed or afraid to
confess it” (McBride 163). Sibonia
takes full responsibility for her actions and will not change a thing. Why should Sibonia be afraid
or even be ashamed of her actions? Sibonia was fearless until she died for a
cause that she so dearly cared about. King wanted the government to change through words and
peacefully, Sibonia however attempts to take matters in her own hands and as a
result she died for change.
In conclusion,
Martin Luther King Jr.’s
speech Beyond Vietnam a Time to Break
Silence, he believes no matter your color or race people should speak their
mind because it can lead to change. Speaking up rather than being silent like King and Sibonia have done. Although King promotes a
non-violent approach for the American people while Sibonia doesn’t, they both
want change. In today’s
society people should break their silence. Breaking your silence is not a crime but being
silent should be.
Works Cited
King,
Martin Luther Jr. “Beyond Vietnam a Time to Break Silence.” Clergy and Leyman
Concerned
about Vietnam, Riverside Church, New York City. 4 April 1967. Keynote
Address.
McBride,
James. The Good Lord Bird. New York:
Penguin Group, 2013. Print.
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