ABSTRACT
The purely literary dimension of these excerpts tends to conceal structures of thought that are definitely philosophical in intent and execution. The legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. is securely enshrined in his leadership and example in establishing basic civil rights for African Americans. However, King also intended to promote the well-being of his people by making the United States a country that was more just in terms of the way individuals of color were treated in the social and economic spheres of society. The purely literary dimension of these excerpts tends to conceal structures of thought that are definitely philosophical in intent and execution. The related concepts of ends and means go back to the Greeks. King then connects means and ends in this context with communism. Although communism is no longer as vibrant or "great" a political force now as it was when King wrote these lines, the example nonetheless remains sharp and relevant.
