Quote Response Paragraph

Martin Luther King Jr.’s words, “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people,” is a significant statement that’s importance comes across in our every day lives. This message Is strongly demonstrated in the novel The Secret Life of Bees by Kidd Monk. In this novel, the character Rosaleen Daise, a strong hearted black women, is arrested for pouring snuff spit on three white men's shoes. The police officer that arrests Rosaleen is Avery Gaston, his nickname is “Shoe”. He drives Rosaleen to the police station.When they arrive at the jail, the three men are waiting. They demand that Rosaleen apologize. When she refuses, one hits her on the head with a flashlight. Mr. Gaston says nothing. Once Rosaleen is put in a jail cell, Mr. Gaston lets the three men into the cell. They beat up Rosaleen and once again Mr Gatson says and does nothing to stop them. Rosaleen ends up with severe injuries and is taken to the hospital. Avery Gatson doesn't directly hurt Rosaleen but he let it happen. His silence hurt Rosaleen more than her injuries. Even if you are an innocent bystander and watch injustices happen before your eyes, you are becoming part of the problem instead of providing a solution.