Mlk Letter from Jail

In Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail, he eloquently explains his reasons for non-violent protest and demonstrations which he refers to as "direct action". He clarifies that he was invited to Birmingham and that he means to "live up to his promise" of engaging in his nonviolent direct-action program. He makes a bold but truthful statement early on in the letter that he is present because there "is injustice here". He articulately quotes historical figures such as Socrates, St Thomas Aquinas, Thomas Jefferson, and John from the Bible to prove his point that segregation and the violent ways "the Negro community" is being treated is unjust and sinful.

One of my favorite quotes and its explanation is included here. "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere". He was speaking of how the Supreme Court had already deemed segregation as unconstitutional, yet the state of Alabama continued to foster it. I can easily see that quote being utilized in the nursing profession. Similar to the saying, "One bad apple can spoil the bunch". Meaning that one unprofessional nurse on a floor/unit can make the whole unit appear unprofessional and/or influences those nurses who are professional in all aspects of what they do. I also find it interesting that, according to Chitty and Black (2011), Mary Eliza Mahoney was training to become a nursing in New England two decades prior to the Supreme Court decision in 1954. How different the north and the south were then and continue to be even a half a century later.

Dr. King's explanation of the four basic steps to a nonviolent campaign is also useful in the nursing profession. The four steps are: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action. Whether it be citing a health professional for substance abuse, advocating for nursing salaries and better patient rations, or fostering better communication and education between doctors and their patients, those four steps could be utilized. An example of injustice I have seen has been when I heard doctors tell their patients, "You have a little water on your lungs and we're going to prescribe you some Lasix so we can pull that off". Yet the doctors fail to tell the patient they have congestive heart failure and/or educate them on how the "water on their lungs" originated.

Another favorite quote, "Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outside anywhere within its bounds." It ties in with Yoder-Wise (2011) chapter 9 on cultural diversity in health care. The United States has always been known and should continue to be known as a 'melting pot'. My personal and professional feeling is that anyone that comes to the USA should be treated fairly, regardless of race, culture, ethnicity, and/or religion. If treated unfairly, then they are "victims of a broken promise" according The Constitution. Dr. King

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