To get a head start on the required readings for my philosophy class, I found and read Dr. Martin Luther King’s, “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” I must make two admissions before I begin. First, I had no idea that this letter existed. For an African-American to be ignorant of the existence of this letter, let alone having never read it, validates my belief that the American education system diminishes the importance of Dr. King’s contribution to American history. My second confession, is before reading Dr. King’s letter, I tried desperately to understand the connection to Dr. King’s letter and philosophy.  But after reading it, not only was I able to successfully connect the dots, I’ve become forever grateful and humbled for its introduction.

Dr. King makes mention of the philosopher Socrates twice in his response letter to the published statement by eight clergymen in Alabama.  The first time is when King tries to give insight as to why he was leading such a visual and openly non-violent demonstration as opposed to waiting passively for local negotiations and the judicial system to works itself out.

Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal, so must we see the need for nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Letter From a Birmingham Jail. April 16^th, 1963.

 He reminds his fellow clergymen that Socrates felt it necessary to create “tension” in the minds of people. Creating tension in the minds of the masses deemed to be a proven historical approach to invoking enlightenment. It is here that I became aware of how much Dr. King may have been influenced by the philosopher Socrates.

My theory gains strength and validation when King mentions Socrates in his letter for the second time.  King pleads for rationalization from his fellow clergyman regarding their public condemnation for protesting in Alabama. 

Isn’t this like condemning Socrates because his unswerving commitment to truth and his philosophical inquiries precipitated the act by the misguided populace in which they made him drink hemlock?” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Letter From a Birmingham Jail. April 16^th, 1963.

It is obvious that King draws on the philosophy of Socrates.  But this raises a question of how much of an influence did Socrates philosophy plays in King’s civil right movement?  This question can only be answered as I learn more about the life of Socrates and his pupil Plato later.