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britannica - americana
Address given by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as one of the Gay
Lectures. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
(typscript made
after a recording). Louisville (Kentucky) 19 April 1961. Famous speech
delivered at the Theological Seminary of the Southern Baptists, the
only institution of this cult to invite King to speak, at the height of the
civil rights movement [the Seminary had admitted people of color ten
years before, in violation of the law of the State]. King reflects on the
question of the Church on the borderline of racial tension, as the old
order fades and the new one emerges. He discusses the evolution of
American legislation, and recommends that believers adopt a global
perspective. The Church must make explicit the radical opposition
between the philosophy of segregation, and that of Christianity and
democracy, and finally encourage men to enter this new age with
creative goodwill in their hearts. He adds longhand a note of hope:
« With this faith we will be able to adjourn the councils of despair and
bring new light into the dark chambers of pessimism. »
The Churches and the Struggle for Human Freedom. International
Convention of Christian Churches
(titles added by Martin Luther
King). Dallas (Texas) 25 September 1966. Important speech delivered at
the International Convention of Christian Churches, condemning the
spiritual poverty of America, land of great scientific and technological
wealth, who has not yet learned the art of walking on earth in a brotherly
fashion! The survival of the country depends on the elimination of this
moral delay, especially in the area of racial injustice. He calls on the
churches to rediscover their prophetic zeal, to make people understand
the irrationality of racism, to take the initiative of social reforms against
injustices and indignities, including in the field of economic justice.
The most powerful instrument of the black community to achieve total
emancipation in America is that of nonviolent resistance. King pleads
for love, that is, for selfless and indulgent understanding. Churches,
not the Law, can bring men to true integration...
Sold with
an invoice signed by Martin Luther King for the credit card
purchase of gas at Standard Oil, Atlanta 5 June 1967.
The Churches and the Struggle for Human Freedom. International
Convention of Christian Churches
(les titres sont ajoutés à la main
par Martin Luther King). Dallas (Texas) 25 septembre 1966. Important
discours au Congrès international des Églises, dénonçant la pauvreté
spirituelle manifestée dans une Amérique de grande richesse
scientifique et technologique, qui n’a pas encore appris l’art de marcher
sur terre fraternellement ! La survie du pays dépend de l’élimination
de ce retard moral, surtout dans le domaine de l’injustice raciale.
Il en appelle aux Églises : qu’elles retrouvent leur zèle prophétique,
qu’elles fassent comprendre l’irrationalité du racisme, qu’elles prennent
l’initiative des réformes sociales contre les injustices et les indignités,
y compris dans le domaine de la justice économique… L’instrument
le plus puissant de la communauté noire pour obtenir l’émancipation
totale en Amérique est celui de la résistance non-violente. King plaide
pour l’amour, c’est-à-dire pour la compréhension désintéressée et
indulgente… Les Églises, et non la Loi, peuvent amener les hommes
à la véritable intégration…
On joint
un reçu signé pour l’achat d’essence de la Standard Oil par
carte de crédit, Atlanta 5 juin 1967.
KING MARTIN LUTHER JUNIOR
(1929-1968).
2 TYPSCRIPTS with autograph CORRECTIONS and
ADDENDA, 1961-1966 ; 10 pages in-4 format, typed
document and carbon-copied ; 38 pages in-4 format typed
document (traces of rust from paper clip and staples;
dampstains); in English.
8 000 / 10 000 €
Two important speeches corrected by Martin Luther King.
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