Why We Can't Wait

King describes nonviolence as "the sword that heals" (16). What does this phrase mean, and why does King believe that nonviolence rather than armed revolt is the best way for African-Americans to achieve their political goals?

Many of the important figures described in the book, including King himself, are ministers. Why are so many ministers involved in the Civil Rights Movement in the South?

King makes frequent use of rhetorical appeals to persuade his audience. Identify and analyze his use of appeals to emotion, reason, and character in one of the chapters from the book.