MLK's Letter from Birmingham Jail

April 16, 1963

MY DEAR FELLOW CLERGYMEN:

While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling my present activities "unwise and untimely." Seldom do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would have little time for anything other than such correspondence in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work. But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and that your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I want to try to answer your statements in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms.

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Essence of human morality....

"If you ask me to name the proudest distinction of Americans, I would choose
.... the fact that they were the people who created the phrase 'to make
money'. No other language or nation had ever used these words before; men
had always thought of wealth as a static quantity - to be seized, begged,
inherited, shared, looted, or obtained as a favor. Americans were the first
to understand that wealth has to be created. The words 'to make money' hold
the essence of human morality."



~ an Ayn Rand quote

Responsibility is not a one-way street

What a day! A person to whom you have given significant support and attention suddenly decides YOU are a hindrance and an obstacle to their progress. A hurtful feeling for sure. But you know what, this is their template, not yours. You were grounded in being helpful and truthful. Many people want to avoid the truth and lash out as their only means of response. YOU have the right attitude and do not respond negatively to their outburst, step back, give them space, if they come back then progress is being made, if they do not, move on.