Unit 8: Vocabulary from Readings 2

Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states.

Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea.

You deplore the demonstrations taking place in Birmingham.

There can be no gainsaying the fact that racial injustice engulfs this community.

On the basis of these promises, the Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth and the leaders of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights agreed to a moratorium on all demonstrations.

Since we so diligently urge people to obey the Supreme Court’s decision of 1954 outlawing segregation in the public schools, at first glance it may seem rather paradoxical for us consciously to break laws.

In no sense do I advocate evading or defying the law, as would the rabid segregationist. That would lead to anarchy.

Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities, and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.

Then, for the moment that they waved decorously back, they were intimidated.

The passage of one of the redeemed made them consider, however vacantly, the wickedness of the street, their own latent wickedness in sitting where they sat; and made them think of their father, who came home early on Saturdays and who would soon be turning this corner and entering the dark hall below them.

His eyes were struck alive, unmoving, blind with malevolence—she felt, like the pull of the earth at her feet, his longing to witness her perdition.

His eyes were struck alive, unmoving, blind with malevolence—she felt, like the pull of the earth at her feet, his longing to witness her perdition.

Again, as though it might be propitiation, she moved the child in her arms.

Sisters,
where there is cold silence—
no hallelujahs, no hurrahs at all, no handshakes,
no neon red or blue, no smiling faces—prevail.
Prevail across the editors of the world!

But there remain large countries in your eyes.
Shrewd sun.
The civil balance.
The listening secrets.