Interviewer: Hello, Dr. King. It is an honor to talk with you today. I hope that you can share some of your experiences and shed light on some of the most pressing issues that concern my generation.
Dr. King: It is always a pleasure to talk with today's youth. I have found that our youth is capable of demonstrating courage and faith in change. Young people who participated in the March to Montgomery proved to the world that they could stand up for what they believed in, what they thought was right. Even though we were beset with adversity, we continued to believe that our voices needed to be heard. Even though our attempt was met with violence, we did not strike back in anger or malice. We showed the world that we needed was love not hate.
Interviewer: I think that you taught the public a powerful lesson. Why do you think that non-violence is an effective form of protest?
Dr. King: Violence can never be the answer. Violence only begets more violence. We are then trapped in a never-ending cycle that furthers hate and diminishes our understanding of each other. Non-violence is an effective form of protest because it demonstrates humankind's highest abilities -- the ability to love, to forgive and to hold on to their ideals. Through non-violence, you prove to your adversary the strength of your commitment and your indomitable will. By withstanding violence and refraining from striking back or retaliating, you show your adversary that there is nothing on earth that can you hold you back. Non-violence is a very powerful form of confrontation.
Interviewer: What can you say about the violence in our community of black males?
Dr. King: It is disheartening to see black males committing acts of violence, especially against one another. In a way, it is a form of protest, the one nearest to them. I see that through violence they are communicating their rage against racism, poverty and an unjust society. But viol...