Albert Boutwell Character Analysis in Why We Can’t Wait

Albert Boutwell was the mayor of Birmingham, Alabama from 1963 to 1967. Like Bull Connor—his opponent in the mayoral race—he was a segregationist, though he was a little less aggressive and adamant about the issue. Still, Dr. King worries in Why We Can’t Wait that Boutwell’s administration won’t bring any kind of change to Birmingham, which is why he and his fellow organizers decided not to postpone the direct-action campaign in favor of giving Boutwell a chance.

Albert Boutwell Character Timeline in Why We Can’t Wait

The timeline below shows where the character Albert Boutwell appears in Why We Can’t Wait. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Unity, Community Organizing, and Leadership Theme Icon

...a local election taking place on March 5th. The top candidates were Bull Connor, Albert Boutwell, and Tom King. All of them were segregationists, and because Dr. King and the others... (full context)

Complacency, Ignorance, and the Status Quo Theme Icon

...clear winner, meaning that there would be a run-off election between Bull Connor and Albert Boutwell in early April. Once again, Dr. King and the others were forced to delay, losing... (full context)

History, Progress, and Change Theme Icon

Albert Boutwell won the run-off election. Although the press heralded his victory as a “new day” in... (full context)

Some influential Black leaders in Birmingham wanted to give Boutwell’s administration the chance to bring about change, hoping he would be more just than Bull... (full context)

...incoming city government would do to address racism in Birmingham. But Dr. King knows that Boutwell has the same segregationist ideas as the previous administration, so waiting for him to act... (full context)