Montgomery Bus Boycott, Essay Example

The following scenario proposes Martin Luther King Jr.’s thought process while conceiving his “Montgomery Bus Boycott” speech in 1955. During this speech, he appeals to the audience by signifying unity and togetherness, references to the significance of God and the country, and demonstrating an understanding of others. Furthermore, he promotes his status as a leader by showing the audience that he has a clear strategy that could be used to help his comrades fight for equal rights and how there will be a strong ending to this problem that will ultimately demonstrate success. In this scenario, Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) consults his wife Coretta Scott King (CSK) about writing this landmark speech.

CSK walks into the room and sees MLK writing.

CSK: You look like you’re busy, what for?

MLK: Have you heard the latest?

CSK: No, what’s happened now?

MLK: A woman named Rosa Parks was arrested. She was sitting at the front of the bus and refused to move once white passengers needed the seat. Rosa was arrested for her bravery and now I intend to let the folks know about this.

CSK: Is she okay?

MLK: It doesn’t look like they’re willing to release her from prison any time soon. I need to let the community know about this. I was asked to lead a boycott of the Montgomery bus company.

CSK: How will you convince everyone to boycott the buses? Doesn’t everyone need them for transportation?

MLK: There’s other ways to get around the neighborhood Coretta. The people have to know that the inconvenience of walking to work is well worth social justice.

CSK: Well, how are you going to convince them of this?

MLK: I’m going to tell them that we need to work together as a community. An individual is weak, but a group is strong. Together, we will show the bus company and anyone else that thinks that they can treat us as lesser persons that they simply will not win. It is only a matter of time.
CSK: How will you do this?

MLK: I have to remind them that Rosa Parks was in the same place as any one of them. She could have been any one of them. They have to understand that by standing up to the bus driver, she stood up for all of us. She stood up for her rights, and our rights. Therefore, it’s only just for us to stand up for her.

CSK: Well, what will happen if that isn’t good enough.

MLK: Maybe the Bible will help them understand. God wants equality for all. He wants all of his children to be treated well. Plus, it’s devastating that Rosa Parks, a woman of excellent character, was treated this way. She has never done anyone wrong, nor would she intend to do any wrong. She’s being punished for a crime that shouldn’t exist and now it is our responsibility to question this existence. If they don’t listen to us, they won’t be listening to God, and then we can be sure that they have no sense of justice.

CSK: If they have no sense of justice, can we take it?

MLK: Not easily, which is why we all need to be in this together. If we cannot make them see justice, we will need to make them redefine justice so that the law can really benefit all.

CSK: This may seem too extreme to some. It’s scary to just go against authority without any concern for what might happen.

MLK: What would happen if we do not act is worse than what will happen if we will. Generations of people will continue to be oppressed and mistreated for simply being born a different color. I intent to appeal to the emotions of the listeners. To remind them of what has happened to them, and how it hasn’t been their faults. To remind them that Rosa Parks was simply acting as any of them might have, and how this landed her in jail. To remind them that if we are not content with how we are being treated, that the only reasonable solution to this problem is to show them our discontent in a manner that requires them to begin to care.

CSK: Will the boycott impact the Montgomery bus company’s finances enough to have a large impact? Whenever I ride the bus, it seems that it is always overcrowded.

MLK: Even if this boycott only hurts them a little bit, it will help them understand that we are not to be reckoned with. If we are able to coordinate a mass boycott of the bus company, we would be able to easily boycott any other discriminatory business in town. It is important for people to understand that we do have power and that we are willing to use it. A peaceful protest is the only way to make sure that our point is understood. We are morale and will not be violent. But, we must make an impact and this seems to be the best way.

CSK: How will you encourage them to follow you?
MLK: The best way is to give them a clear plan. I will provide them with an understanding of the tragedy of Rosa Parks’ imprisonment because of what this means for all of us. Since she was persecuted for riding at the front of the bus, we will focus on abandoning the bus company. While it is possible to do more, if we remain focused, it is more possible that people will come to understand our anger. We will not use the Montgomery bus until Rosa Parks is released.

CSK: How will you convince them that this plan will be successful?

MLK: We will be successful as long as we all remain united and it is important to remind the people of this. If we act as a group, we will have power. We will be able to take the rights that have been given to us by God. He himself will act as a witness to approve of our mission. Everyone must be made aware of the sacrifice that Rosa Parks has made. It is not likely that she knew that she would become a symbol for what is just and right, but she has become one in doing what she thought was best. And we need to stand with her in agreement. We must show Rosa Parks that we support her and will continue to support her despite what happens. In this moment, we must finally grasp the power back so that our families and our friends will proliferate for generations to come.