Question 50

Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote the text.

The extract reflects the thoughts and philosophies of Martin Luther King, Jr., emphasizing the interconnectedness of communities and the necessity to address injustice wherever it occurs.

A) Fannie Lou Hamer

Fannie Lou Hamer was a significant civil rights leader known for her work in voter registration and her advocacy for African American rights. However, the specific themes and references in the extract, particularly the connection to the gospel and the call for aid, align more closely with King's ideology than Hamer's focus on voting rights.

B) Anne Braden

Anne Braden was an activist and journalist who focused on racial and economic justice. While she contributed to civil rights discourse, the language and biblical references in the extract are more characteristic of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s eloquent oratory style and theological grounding.

C) Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass was a prominent abolitionist and advocate for civil rights in the 19th century. While he championed justice and equality, the context and phrasing in the extract do not reflect Douglass's style or the historical period in which he wrote, making it unlikely that he authored this text.

D) John Lewis

John Lewis was a key figure in the civil rights movement and a powerful advocate for justice. Although he shared similar goals with King, the specific theological references and the style of the extract suggest it is more aligned with King's writings, particularly his emphasis on the gospel of freedom.

E) Martin Luther King, Jr.

The extract clearly articulates the idea of interconnectedness among communities and the moral imperative to fight injustice, themes central to King’s philosophy. His use of biblical references and the mention of the "Macedonian call for aid" directly reflect his writings and speeches.

Conclusion

Martin Luther King, Jr. is definitively the author of the text, as it encapsulates his beliefs about justice, community, and moral responsibility. The other options, while notable figures in the civil rights movement, do not exhibit the same blend of theological insight and social urgency that characterizes King's work, making them less likely to be the correct answer.