Question

I have earnestly opposed violent tension, but there is a type of constructive, nonviolent tension which is necessary for growth.

How does King support this claim in the rest of his letter?
by providing examples of recent nonviolent sit-ins
by quoting Socrates and establishing historical precedent
by chronicling the history of violent tension throughout the South
by presenting a visual image of a world in which equality reigns

Answer 1

by quoting Socrates and establishing historical precedent

King explicitly compares nonviolent tension to the “creative” tension Socrates used to force people to confront truth, and he cites historical and philosophical examples to justify nonviolent direct action.