In the essay "Nonviolence and Racial Justice" (1957), Martin Luther King, Jr., asks, "How is the struggle against the forces of injustice to be waged?" Answer his question by arguing which strategies best helped civil rights activists and activists from current equal rights/justice movements achieve the goal of overcoming injustice. Draw on specific evidence from the civil rights movement to support your answer. Write an essay analyzing the issue raised by the above question and arguing for a specific position. Through a well-developed thesis statement, support your argument by providing textual evidence and examples from the provided articles and sources. Please be sure to cite every piece of evidence you use from the articles. Your essay should be clearly focused, well organized, and carefully written.

The struggle against the forces of injustice, as posed by Martin Luther King, Jr. in "Nonviolence and Racial Justice," is one that has been waged using various strategies throughout history. The most effective strategies in the civil rights movement, which are also relevant and influential in contemporary equal rights and justice movements, are nonviolent protest, civil disobedience, legal action, and coalition building.

Nonviolent protest emerged as a hallmark of the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King, Jr. himself was a proponent of nonviolence, inspired by the philosophy and tactics of Mahatma Gandhi. Nonviolence aimed to create a stark contrast between the peaceful demeanor of protesters and the often brutal response by opponents, which was meant to elicit sympathy and support from the general public and government officials. The success of nonviolent protests is evident in events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Birmingham Campaign. In these instances, activists used peaceful methods to challenge segregation and inequality, leading to significant changes in public policy and national legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Civil disobedience is a form of nonviolent protest where activists intentionally break unjust laws to showcase their illegitimacy. This tactic was central during the civil rights movement, most notably when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This act of defiance, combined with the subsequent year-long boycott, eventually led to a Supreme Court ruling that declared segregation on public buses unconstitutional.

Legal action has also been a critical strategy for overcoming injustice. The NAACP's Legal Defense Fund played a pivotal role in dismantling officially sanctioned segregation through the courts. The landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, where segregated schools were declared unconstitutional, is a prime example of this strategy's power. Using the judicial system to challenge inequality proved to be a strategic approach to effect lasting legislative change.

Lastly, coalition building has been significant for the success of civil rights activists. By forming alliances with various groups and engaging in collaborative efforts, activists gain stronger support bases and wider recognition of their cause. The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963 exemplifies the strength of a diverse coalition, bringing together civil rights organizations, labor groups, and religious leaders to demand economic and civil rights for African Americans.

In sum, the strategies of nonviolent protest, civil disobedience, legal action, and coalition building have been essential for civil rights activists in challenging and overcoming injustice. These methods continue to inspire and guide current equal rights and justice movements to bring about social change.