Why We Can't Wait

By: Martin Luther King Jr., Dorothy Cotton - introduction

Narrated by: JD Jackson

Dr. King’s best-selling account of the civil rights movement in Birmingham during the spring and summer of 1963

On April 16, 1963, as the violent events of the Birmingham campaign unfolded in the city’s streets, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., composed a letter from his prison cell in response to local religious leaders’ criticism of the campaign. The resulting piece of extraordinary protest writing, “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” was widely circulated and published in numerous periodicals. After the conclusion of the campaign and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, King further developed the ideas introduced in the letter in Why We Can’t Wait, which tells the story of African American activism in the spring and summer of 1963. During this time, Birmingham, Alabama, was perhaps the most racially segregated city in the United States, but the campaign launched by King, Fred Shuttlesworth, and others demonstrated to the world the power of nonviolent direct action.

Often applauded as King’s most incisive and eloquent book, Why We Can’t Wait recounts the Birmingham campaign in vivid detail, while underscoring why 1963 was such a crucial year for the civil rights movement. Disappointed by the slow pace of school desegregation and civil rights legislation, King observed that by 1963—during which the country celebrated the one-hundredth anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation—Asia and Africa were “moving with jetlike speed toward gaining political independence but we still creep at a horse-and-buggy pace.”

King examines the history of the civil rights struggle, noting tasks that future generations must accomplish to bring about full equality, and asserts that African Americans have already waited over three centuries for civil rights and that it is time to be proactive: “For years now, I have heard the word ‘Wait!’ It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. This ‘Wait’ has almost always meant ‘Never.’ We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that ‘justice too long delayed is justice denied.’”

A King Legacy Series Book

Critic reviews

“No child should graduate from high school without having read this book. In telling the story of the third American Revolution, it is as integral to American history as the Declaration of Independence.”
—Jesse Jackson

Must Read

The words of Dr. MLK are so powerful and thought provoking. This should be required reading for all!

Wow

This was ana amazing book and MLK Jr. was an amazing writer and really encapsulated the movement at that time.

Relevant for all

MLK is the most celebrated American civil rights activist for many reasons, and this book largely explains why. He preaches non-violence as the most effective tool to drive social justice movements in America and in the world. The history of the Civil Rights movement in America is eloquently presented by MLK, who is lyrically masterful at conveying many sides of the complexity of racism in America. Further, the narrator tells the story beautifully. Especially given the tumultuous racial issues currently happening (especially since the George Floyd incident and more), this is a must read book for everyone, especially those looking to affect change.

Insightful

A detailed look behind the curtain and an elaboration of the context of a time we all have heard about but scarcely understand.

Incredible

I’m 35 years old and learnt that I’ve never listened to any of MLK’s speeches in full context nor read much about him. I also grieve that his legacy isn’t taught in schools. As a teenager I don’t think I was in the space to pay much attention. But now as I am paying more attention to the world, notably this nations horrific history, it would have been nice to point to MLK and everyone who’s attending public education know the incredible work and sacrifices he made. The words he has for this time is priceless and precious.