The Compelling Words of Mr. King

“…freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”

    All throughout history, a prevalent theme is that of oppression, and in extension, slavery. All peoples have, at some point in their existence, experienced the degrading blows of arrogant oppressors, insistent that another race is below them due to superficial appearances.  Once a people is conquered, they will undoubtedly stay that way unless they summon resistance. Why would the oppressors free the oppressed if they simply bow their heads in suboordinance? King argues this idea that the rights "must be demanded by the oppressed." I challenge you to think of a single people that were once oppressed, and than, of the free will of the oppressor, are freed. Odds are there are no examples to be summoned, as why would the oppressors free those that are thoroughly subordinate? When Moses merely asked for his people to be set free, he encountered no results. He instead had to do powerfully demand that his people be set free, and free they became. Simply put, there can be no result without an implication of effort.