Conquering Evil With Words

Edmund Burk said, “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.” The truth of this quote is evident in history. Those who have broken the silence through free speech have conquered the evils they faced and made a change.  It is essential for Americans to exercise their right to free speech and not give in to passivity. Freedom of speech is a treasured right and was used by Martin Luther King Jr. and William Wilberforce to make great changes in history.

Free speech is among the most valued of American freedoms and in the world as well. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech…” America’s founding fathers realized free speech is a God-given right, and it is essential to a democracy. These rights had been present in the English Bill of Rights, but the founding fathers gave more rights and freedoms to the citizens. They knew people are the voice and foundation of America (“First Amendment”). Freedom of speech is a strong point in human rights documents. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, along with the European Convention on Human Rights, show the importance of freedom of expression and speech. A freedom with such value needs to be exercised (“What is the Role of Speech” 1). Even so, freedoms come with limits. People need to respect their own rights and the rights of others. It is their duty to exercise their rights but also to be aware of the rights of others. Martin Luther King Jr. used his right to free speech to accomplish the task before him (“First Amendment”). Such an important freedom needs to be exercised and respected.

Martin Luther King Jr. and William Wilberforce used freedom of speech to fight for their beliefs. Martin Luther King Jr. impacted the nation politically and socially through his voice. His words made great changes that would not have occurred had he sat back and been passive and silent. The 14^th Amendment, defining citizenship and guaranteeing all basic liberties, was ratified in 1868. However, segregation did not become illegal until 1954. Even then, it was a hard fought battle to change the nation’s ways. Eighty-six years passed from the ratification of the 14^th Amendment to segregation becoming illegal. King helped accomplish this with his voice as his only weapon (LaMace). Furthermore, William Wilberforce was a 19^th century member of British Parliament and an advocate for ending slave trade and abolishing slavery. He was considered a part of “One of the turning events in the history of the world.” Even slave traders saw his influence and spirit and viewed him as a threat. Wilberforce’s accomplishments were extraordinary, and he used his free speech to attain them. Slavery was finally abolished in England, and this influenced American’s abolition as well (Hancock 12-19). Wilberforce was persistent in seeing abolition through. England’s Abolition Bill passed right before his death (Carrol). These two great figures made huge, game-changing influences by speaking out.

William Wilberforce was tenacious and not passive. Wilberforce restrained himself from all worldly things, such as drinking and even social events, to dedicate all of his time to his cause. He said he would “Never rest until [he] had effected its abolition.” Not only was Wilberforce determined, but he overcame the walls that blocked his way. He was an extremely sick man, yet he still pressed on. Passivity did not threaten Wilberforce. It would have been easy to give up once it became hard, especially when not only the British nation, but his own body, was fighting against him. However, he did not sit back or even wait for another to rise up and be a voice. As Wilberforce stated, “…It shall never be said that William Wilberforce is silent while the slaves require his help.” His bills continued to be defeated in Parliament, but it did not stop him. When slave trade was finally abolished, he did not see his victory as the end of the battle. Instead, he pressed on until slavery was completely abolished—26 years after the ending of slave trade. Though Wilberforce was not able to remain in Parliament through all this time because of his failing heath, he still played an active part through one of his books and by campaigning. Wilberforce died a few days after his lifelong work was finally accomplished when the Abolition Bill was passed. Thomas Foxwell Buxton said, “The day which was the termination of his labors was the termination of his life.” William Wilberforce’s persistent attitude allowed him to make changes whereas passivity would have only encouraged evil to thrive (Hancock 15-19).

King and Wilberforce fought for their causes, but also to bring back morals—both were driven by more than just their own opinions. King truly saw the importance of speaking out. He said, “A time comes when silence is betrayal.” Nevertheless, King did not just believe in speaking out, but he felt called to be a voice for the weak. He saw a loss of morals in the American society and their need to be brought back. He contributed this to the “Silence of Congress, and the apathy of citizens” (Berger 38-43). Wilberforce also felt called to change and reestablish the morals of the English society of his time. In regards to this he said, “…Some reformer of the nation’s morals, who should raise his voice in the high places of the land…” He too, saw the importance of speaking out. Wilberforce was influential in reestablishing England’s morals along with his accomplishments of Abolition. People like John Newton and Wilberforce himself felt that God was using Wilberforce to benefit the nation. Because of this, Wilberforce was truly able to be relentless and not be conformed to the world (Hancock 15-19). Nevertheless, even though the influence of Wilberforce and King are clear, some believe the nonviolent movement is not as strong today. Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Gandhi, influencer of King, said their movement was “Fading into oblivion through silence.” Nevertheless, Geoffrey Canada said, “…Their movements are alive” (Scheinin 1A+). Whether or not their movements are alive depends on Americans rising up, using their voices instead of fists, and keeping them alive. If the nation lets itself slip into passivity, the movements will die. As leaders of history-changing movements, King and Wilberforce saw the importance of speaking out and felt called by God to do so.

The course of history would have been exceedingly different had the voices of two men not risen above passive silence. Looking to King and Wilberforce as examples, Americans should use freedom of speech and speak out. It is obvious freedom of speech is a valued freedom. Had King and Wilberforce not spoken out, they would have not accomplished sustaining civil rights and abolishing slavery in England. Without them, it is not known when the barriers of such issues would have broken through. However, the call to speak out is clear. Let Americans raise their voices and conquer evil with words.

Works Cited

Berger, Rose Marie. “Dreaming America.” Sojoumes 26(4). 4 April 2007:38-43.

Carrol, Nicole. “William Wilberforce and William Cobbett: Reformers in Conflict in Early 19^th –

Century Britain.” Voces Novae 2.2 2010: n.pag. Web. 9 Jan. 2015.

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“First Amendment: Freedom of Speech (1791).” Bill of Rights Institute. Bill of Rights Institute,

2010. Web. 20 Jan. 2015.

Hancock, Christopher D. “The ‘Shrimp’ who Stopped Slavery.” Christian History 1997: 12-19.

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LaMance, Ken. “Understanding the 14^th Amendment.” LegalMatch. LegalMatch, 1999-2015.

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Scheinin, Richard. “Like a Candle in the Wind.” San Jose Mercury News 1 Fed 1998: 1A+. SIRS

Issue Researcher. Web. 7 Jan. 2015.

U.S. Constitution. Amend. I.

“What is the Role of Speech in a Democratic Society and Where are Its Limits?” YouthMedia,

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