's Why We Can't Wait was written and published in 1963. The name of the period of the history when this book was published is called the civil rights movement. During this time in American history was the struggle to desegregate cities in many major southern cities such as Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama where most of the book is centered. .
Why We Can't Wait is an explanation of why the African American population could not wait any longer for desegregation. It is not only an explanation of this question; the book is also a history lesson, documentary in words, and a story of one man's private and public struggle for civil change. However, this book also serves as a document marking how far America has developed since 1963. .
Being a compilation of letters, stories, and experiences the most important letter in the collection is the letter of Dr. King's from the Birmingham jail. Here Dr. King explains his actions in Birmingham, Alabama to some of the clergymen who have criticized his work. During Dr. King's time in Birmingham he campaigned a nonviolent search for desegregation and with it he had an outline to follow. "In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action" (66). Dr. King knew that one could not wait for people to change their attitudes of beliefs, but to help them see the error of their beliefs, this was the main idea of his campaign. .
"For years now I have heard the word "WAIT!" It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. This "wait" has almost always meant "NEVER""(69). It is easy for people who are not being oppressed, such as whites in this book, to tell others that they need to wait. Dr. King and his followers saw their families and friends were the victims of oppression and violence and they knew something had to be done. Martin Luther King had the courage to say this publicly and that is why some many followed him.