Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Indeed, it was a noble gesture. But King’s ultimate sacrifice should be measured in terms of perseverance in the face of staunch opposition.

Not only did he die for the dignity and plight of the disadvantaged who were mostly populations of color, he died for the image of America … a promising nation that after a century had yet to live up to its creed.

King theorized that violent resistance would end in unacceptable collateral consequences. His approach was to court the establishment rather than confront it.

William P. Clayborne Jr.Gloucester, Va.
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