The White Moderate

MLK Jr. discusses the white moderate in the final paragraph of the Letter from Birmingham Jail. He speaks of the dangers they pose and the road blocks they represent. The concept it not out of date. After the election, I saw many people blaming those who voted for third party candidates like Jill Stein. In reality, it is the 36% of Americans that did not vote that are the real issue. It is no surpise that republicans will always vote for republican, and democrats will always vote for democrats. The moderate/centrists have the ability to take charge and vote, they have the ability to pick a side and sway the numbers. Their political efficacy is so low that they would rather throw away their influence upon the government than spend a couple hours waiting in line. It is a matter of confidence in our government -- which is unsurpisingly low -- and education in politics. The White Moderate chooses to turn over onto its back and expose its soft white underbelly, caring not for the consequences that may arise from its indifference. It reaches farther than just voting turnout. To repeat verbatim what MLK Jr. said, when the moderate tell us that they agree with the cause but don't like the way we go about it, they are working against it. Knowingly or not, they are siding with the oppressor. To once again repeat MLK, he stated that historically "wait" has always really meant "never". He stood by taking action and so should we. Why is it that we sit and cry out about the injustice in our pink suits with our tiny little signs.