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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. To the Negro in 1963 nonviolence could symbolize the "gold badge of heroism" rather than what?

2. The first requirement of a volunteer's pledge was to do what daily?

3. According to MLK in "The Sword That Heals," a southern state police officer is rarely punished for what?

4. MLK states that their "army" would sing but not do what?

5. When the city of Birmingham lost a case and had to open public-recreation to all its citizens, what did the authorities do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was the Negro's economic problem compounded by the emergence and growth of automation?

2. What are some of the questions that the girl and boy ask themselves?

3. What does MLK state that Bull Connor prided himself in?

4. What did people have to do after they volunteered and walked up front to shake hands with the leaders of the campaign?

5. What was the first major decision that the planning committee faced when they were discussing "Project C," and what was the conclusion they came to?

6. Which two revolutions in history does MLK liken the civil turmoil and violence of the Negro's "battle" to?

7. In the second section of Bull Connor's Birmingham, what does MLK state that the one threat to the reign of white supremacy in Birmingham was?

8. What were the mass meetings that were held in the Negro community, how many were there, and where were these meetings held?

9. What were the invitational periods at the mass meetings for?

10. What was George Wallace's inauguration vow?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "The Sword That Heals," MLK talks about the Negro population accepting nonviolent direct action. Why does he state that this took a certain sophistication on the part of the Negroes? What things does MLK state were ingrained in them and in society as a whole that made it so hard for the resistance of violence? Why do you think Negroes were ready to do anything for freedom? When they marched they did not back down. Why do you think that is? Do you think the guidance of MLK and other strong leaders helped the Negro population believe in what they were marching for? If so, how?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the book we read about fear and experience this frequently. MLK mention's that Bull Connor's Birmingham had the silent password of fear. The black people were oppressed, so there was fear. Why does MLK say the white citizens were fearful? Why did the thought of change bring fear among Negros and white citizens too? Why and how did Bull Connor strike a sense of fear in the city? What other instances of fear do you find in the book?

Essay Topic 3

The book, Why We Can't Wait, is written by Martin Luther King, Jr. about the time of the civil rights movement during the 1960s in which Birmingham became the center of attention for the nation to watch those "fighting" for freedom. How do you think MLK's perspective on the details of these events affected the reader of the book? How would the details of the events be told differently if we were reading a book by Bull Connor? How about a book by Jesse Jackson? Explain your answers and use evidence from the book to support those answers.

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