A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr Chapter Summary & Analysis - Negroes Are Not Moving Too Fast Summary

Negroes Are Not Moving Too Fast Summary and Analysis

Dr. King asserted that America is fortunate that the strength of the Negro protesters was tempered by a sense of responsibility. Myths continue to be perpetuated that could displace the hard fought gains won by the Civil Rights movement. Among the myths was the one that is the Negro moved forward too fast, and happily accepted any gains, dangerously, there would be a white backlash against these gains. The white power structure perpetuated these myths.

New laws changed little for Negro people who were still the poorest of the country, blocked by color and poverty. Charges of moving too fast were vicious and perilous. Token beginnings are not satisfactory ends. The white backlash was not apparent during the March to Washington. Negro leaders spent years teaching protesters to practice nonviolence. The white power structure called upon the Negro to reject violence without providing social change. The theory of...
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