I was a young man, an American man, a black man! I fought the fight for freedom & equalization!

I did not fight with my fist!

I did not burn things!

I did not damage other’s property!

I did not riot!

In 1955 I fought against bus segregation

I did not fight with my fist!

I did not burn things!

I did not damage other’s property!

I did not riot!

In 1956 the Supreme Court rules that bus segregation is illegal

I did not fight with my fist!

I did not burn things!

I did not damage other’s property!

I did not riot

I continued my fight against segregation

I did not fight with my fist!

I did not burn things!

I did not damage other’s property!

I did not riot

In 1958 The U.S. Congress passed the first Civil Rights Act since reconstruction

I did not fight with my fist!

I did not burn things!

I did not damage other’s property!

I did not riot

In 1958 I was nearly killed when stabbed by an assailant in Harlem

I did not fight with my fist!

I did not burn things!

I did not damage other’s property!

I did not riot

In 1960 I was arrested during a sit-in waiting to be served at a restaurant

I did not fight with my fist!

I did not burn things!

I did not damage other’s property!

I did not riot

In 1961 The Interstate Commerce Commission bans segregation in interstate travel

I did not fight with my fist!

I did not burn things!

I did not damage other’s property!

I did not riot

In 1962 I was arrested Albany, Georgia fighting freedom

I did not fight with my fist!

I did not burn things!

I did not damage other’s property!

I did not riot

In 1963 I was arrested fighting for freedom

I did not fight with my fist!

I did not burn things!

I did not damage other’s property!

I did not riot

In 1963 Stores, restaurants, and schools will be desegregated & hiring of blacks implemented

I did not fight with my fist!

I did not burn things!

I did not damage other’s property!

I did not riot

In 1964 I was stoned by Black Muslims in Harlem

I did not fight with my fist!

I did not burn things!

I did not damage other’s property!

I did not riot

In 1965 I was arrested fighting for voting rights

I did not fight with my fist!

I did not burn things!

I did not damage other’s property!

I did not riot

In 1965 The President signs the Voting Rights Act into law

I did not fight with my fist!

I did not burn things!

I did not damage other’s property!

I did not riot

In 1968 I was fatally shot

I did not fight with my fist!

I did not burn things!

I did not damage other’s property!

I did not riot

And my work continues today!

What has using your fist gained?

What has burning others property gained?

What has damaging other’s property gained?

What has the riot’s gained?

I was a young man, an American man, a black man! I fought the fight for freedom & equalization! I am Martin Luther King, Jr

Was my death in vaine?

By Ozark Mike