Summary Of Letter From Birmingham Jail

Heroic Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" was written in response to ministers who were criticizing his actions. King emphasized the need for change and acceptance of black people as soon as possible. He first establishes his credibility to the clergymen in an effective manner. He then appeals to logic to describe the actions happening in Birmingham and everywhere else for black people across the United States as unacceptable. He finally appeals to the reader's emotions by comparing events happening in the United States to more politically advanced nations in the world. Dr. King begins his letter in an authoritative way in order to establish himself and emphasize the importance of his actions in Birmingham. He states his credentials and what he does, "I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference... We have some eighty-five affiliated organizations across the South, and one of them is the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights." He then compares himself to the Apostle Paul in order to recognize the severity of the injustice in Birmingham and to further emphasize the importance of his role. "I [am] compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town. Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid." He finally states what

He expresses the severity of the injustice when he states "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." He the acknowledges the riots but places more importance on the need for justice and equality when he says "It is unfortunate that demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham, but it is even more unfortunate that the city's white power structure left the Negro community with no alternative." Dr.King's use of logic creates an argument that is hard to