Quotessence
Home / Books / Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?

Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?

Book by Martin Luther King Jr. · 6 quotes · Blacks, African Americans, Whites

Filter quotes by topic

AllBlacksAfrican AmericansWhitesRaceRacismRace RelationsChangeCivil RightsJusticePovertyAmericaPowerWealthCivil Rights MovementEqualityActivismEconomicsPeaceBacklashBitterness

Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? Quotes

“Indeed, one of the great problems that the Negro confronts is his lack of power. From the old plantations of the South to the newer ghettos of the North, the Negro has been confined to a life of voicelessness and powerlessness. Stripped of the right to make decisions concerning his life and destiny, he has been subject to the authoritarian and sometimes whimsical decisions of the white power structure. The plantation and the ghetto were created by those who had power both to confine those who had no power and to perpetuate their powerlessness. The problem of transforming the ghetto is, therefore, a problem of power—a confrontation between the forces of power demanding change and the forces of power dedicated to preserving the status quo.”

ChangePowerStatus QuoAfrican AmericansBlacksRace RelationsPowerlessness
Book:Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?
Create image

“Power, properly understood, is the ability to achieve purpose. It is the strength required to bring about social, political or economic changes. In this sense power is not only desirable but necessary in order to implement the demands of love and justice. One of the greatest problems of history is that the concepts of love and power are usually contrasted as polar opposites. Love is identified with a resignation of power and power with a denial of love. It was this misinterpretation that caused Nietzsche, the philosopher of the “will to power,” to reject the Christian concept of love. It was this same misinterpretation which induced Christian theologians to reject Nietzsche’s philosophy of the “will to power” in the name of the Christian idea of love. What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive and that love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.”

LoveChangeJusticePower
Book:Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?
Create image

“The question now is, do we have the morality and courage required to live together as brothers and not be afraid? One of the most persistent ambiguities we face is that everybody talks about peace as a goal, but among the wielders of power peace is practically nobody’s business. Many men cry “Peace! Peace!” but they refuse to do the things that make for peace. The large power blocs talk passionately of pursuing peace while expanding defense budgets that already bulge, enlarging already awesome armies and devising ever more devastating weapons. Call the roll of those who sing the glad tidings of peace and one’s ears will be surprised by the responding sounds. The heads of all the nations issue clarion calls for peace, yet they come to the peace table accompanied by bands of brigands each bearing unsheathed swords.”

WarPeacePowerBrotherhoodWorld PeaceMilitarism
Book:Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?
Create image