The Only Road to Freedom, Essay Example

Martin Luther King Jr. was a beacon of hope for the down trodden. In his articulate speeches and selfless acts of defiance against the face of oppression, racism and tyranny, made him one of the greatest leaders of a generation. In his speech, Nonviolence: The Only Road to Freedom, he postulates that the path to realizing freedom, is through non-violent and peaceful defiance against an oppressive system.

King questions the generally held notion that nonviolent resistance is a sign of cowardice. He questions the need for the black community to fight back against the white community as a result of the oppression and segregation they experience at the hands of their counterparts. He postulates that nonviolent resistance is the most effective form of resistance. This is because it is a guide that regulates and guarantees social justice.

He advocates that nonviolent resistance is not aimed at humiliating those they oppose. This is because this form of resistance wages battle against forces of evil as opposed to individuals. Nonviolent resistance is an ideological battle tool as opposed to the physical violent tools employed by those they oppose.

He underscores that one has to be willing to suffer to undertake a nonviolent path to resistance. This is derived from the inherent quality of love that is a prerequisite for a nonviolent approach to resistance. Through public suffering, one ascertains the right path and intensity of challenging the system. At the end of the day, the universe is on the side of justice.

In conclusion, Martin Luther King Jr., in this speech highlights the importance of a nonviolent path towards resistance. In order to effectively challenge an oppressive system, he highlights the required characters and traits that one should ideally develop. He ascertains his experiences in choosing a nonviolent path to resistance.