Skip to content

It is incontestable and deplorable that Negroes have…

“It is incontestable and deplorable that Negroes have committed crimes; but they are derivative crimes. They are born of the greater crimes of the white society.” quote by Martin Luther King, Jr
Download Open image
“It is incontestable and deplorable that Negroes have committed crimes; but they are derivative crimes. They are born of the greater crimes of the white society.”

Martin Luther King, Jr

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He argues that Black criminal behavior stems from systemic oppression by white society.

In simple terms: Black crimes are caused by white racism.

Key Takeaway

Address systemic racism.

Themes

justice racism responsibility

Mood

somber reflective

Type

political historical

When to use this quote

  • legal reform
  • education
  • community outreach
  • policy change

Key Concepts

Systemic oppression crime causation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does systemic oppression shape personal actions?
  • What reforms can reduce such derivative crimes?
A Different Perspective

It may oversimplify complex individual agency.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Martin Luther King, Jr

Explore all 1,210 Martin Luther King, Jr quotes

More Born quotes

Browse all 11,606 Born quotes