I watched the short documentary, At The River I Stand, which focused on the final protests leading up to the death of Martin Luther King Jr. The protests were initially successful in gaining the attention of the Mayor/Community but not as successful at creating change. However, with persistence they eventually helped to achieve the sanitation workers’ goal. The first large protest got a little out of hand when MLK could not be there right away and was exhausted when he was there. The crowd became rowdy and several windows were smashed, and I think this created some extra tension between the sanitation workers and the city officials. However, the workers’ regrouped and reorganized, and remained persistent in their nonviolent movement. They attempted to negotiate with the Mayor and city council, and even after they were set up and lied to, they remained nonviolent and continued to press on for their cause. It was only after MLK’s assassination, though, that their peaceful protest was truly recognized and appreciated. When MLK, a man who dedicated his life to nonviolence, was violently killed, it seemed to awaken the community. The unjust murder of MLK forced them to realize that their treatment of the sanitation workers and the black community was unjust as well. I was moved when the clergy of Memphis marched into the Mayor’s office and confessed to their wrongdoings and mistreatment of their fellow community members, and professed their solidarity with the black community.

The exhaustion of Martin Luther King Jr. really made an impression on me while I was watching the film. It showed that nonviolence certainly is not passive or a resistance to act. It took just as much strategy, planning, and energy to organize these nonviolent movements as would a war or other violent strategies. In fact, it likely took even more energy, as King and his supporters had to constantly think of creative alternatives to violence while still enduring obstacles and oppression. I think the documentary also highlighted the importance of a strong, charismatic leader in nonviolent movements. When MLK was late and exhausted, the protest went a little off track, but later he was able to reenergize and encourage the Memphis black community to continue on despite their setbacks. Even in the wake of his death, the community marched in his honor and remained nonviolent. If the leader of the movement had not been so dedicated to spreading peace or as involved with the community, I think that a shooting might have sparked a violent response amongst the oppressed. However, MLK had done such a wonderful job of preaching peace to the people, that they were able to carry on without him and were inspired to keep his dream alive.