“A riot is the language of the unheard” was said by Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) many times. “A riot is the language of the unheard” was printed in an Associated Press story on July 29, 1966. “Riots are the language of the unheard” was printed in an Associated Press story on August 11, 1966. “A riot is the desperate language of the unheard” was printed in an Associated Press story on September 8, 1966.
 
     
Wikiquote: Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (15 January 1929 – 4 April 1968) was an American Baptist minister, doctor, civil rights activist, and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize of 1964. He was the husband of Coretta Scott King, and father of Yolanda King and Martin Luther King III.
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The Other America (1968)
Speech at Grosse Pointe High School (March 14, 1968)
I’m absolutely convinced that a riot merely intensifies the fears of the white community while relieving the guilt. And I feel that we must always work with an effective, powerful weapon and method that brings about tangible results. But it is not enough for me to stand before you tonight and condemn riots. It would be morally irresponsible for me to do that without, at the same time, condemning the contingent, intolerable conditions that exist in our society. These conditions are the things that cause individuals to feel that they have no other alternative than to engage in violent rebellions to get attention. And I must say tonight that a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the plight of the negro poor has worsened over the last twelve or fifteen years. It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. And it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice and humanity.
 
Wikiquote: Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder commonly characterized by a group lashing out in a violent public disturbance against authority, property or people.
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I’m absolutely convinced that a riot merely intensifies the fears of the white community while relieving the guilt. And I feel that we must always work with an effective, powerful weapon and method that brings about tangible results. But it is not enough for me to stand before you tonight and condemn riots. It would be morally irresponsible for me to do that without, at the same time, condemning the contingent, intolerable conditions that exist in our society. These conditions are the things that cause individuals to feel that they have no other alternative than to engage in violent rebellions to get attention. And I must say tonight that a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the plight of the negro poor has worsened over the last twelve or fifteen years. It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. And it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice and humanity.
Martin Luther King, Jr., The Other America (14 March 1968)
 
Newspapers.com
29 July 1966, Streator (IL) Times-Press, “King Plans Vigil On Open Housing” (AP, from Chicago), pg. 16, col. 4:
King. chairman of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, also referred to recent riots in a West Side Nero neighborhood.
 
“A riot is the language of the unheard,” he said. “Our summers of riots are caused by winters of delay.”
 
But he condemned violence.
 
Newspapers.com
11 August 1966, Greenwood (MS) Commonwealth, “King Absence Noticeably Slows SCLC Convention” (AP, from Jackson, MS), pg. 1, col. 7:
“Riots are desperation attempts of the poor of our nation to say ‘here am I, do something.’ Riots are the language of the unheard.”
 
Newspapers.com
8 September 1966, Pittsburgh (PA) Post-Gazette, “Atlanta Nero Ministers in Peace Plea” (AP, from Atlanta), pg. 42, cols. 4-6:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, said:
   
“The riot in Atlanta follow the tragic and futile patterns of violence which has loomed over so many of our nation’s cities. A riot can be justified neither on law or practical rounds, however just the grievances of the rioters…
 
“A riot is the desperate language of the unheard.”
 
Twitter
Catie Sadlier
@CASadlier
Replying to @Trevornoah
When the protests were first starting, a friend asked me what I thought about the looting. The first thing I said was, we should be asking “Why” it is happening. Then I shared MLK Jr’s quote, “A riot is the language of the unheard.”  #listen #ChangeTheSystem
1:26 PM · Jun 6, 2020·Twitter Web App