On April 16th, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. writes one of the most powerful and influential pieces in the nation’s history. King writes his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” after being sentenced to jail for protesting the mistreatment of blacks in Birmingham, Alabama. King passionately writes to defend fighting against racism to his fellow clergymen and responds to their concerns about taking direct action. To make his argument, King utilizes a series of literary nonfiction forms to provide a realistic image to his audience. Through doing this, King makes his argument stronger and more appealing to his audience.
He points out that Birmingham is the most likely divided and racist city in the United States. The author explains that Birmingham has many unsettle attacks towards African American (King, par. 8). Martin Luther King, Jr. states that when an opportunity appeared to talk to the economic
Prejudice is a major issue that has dominated the society for years. Many have spoken up against this discrimination, making their voices heard over the views of numerous people. Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights activist in the mid-1900s, spoke and acted strongly against injustice against African Americans. In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” he uses powerful and eloquent language to display an ardent desire to influence people’s judgments and to encourage others to join him in making the society one of equality and justice rather than one of bias and hatred. Martin Luther King Jr. uses rhetorical strategies, purposeful word arrangement, and other literary devices to passionately express criticism against injustice.
If Not Now, When? During the 1960s, racial segregation was an ongoing problem in the United States. Martin Luther King Jr. recognized this problem and decided to take action against it. King wanted to make a difference in the racial segregation that was going on by hosting nonviolent campaigns, but by doing so, sparked a response from the clergymen: a group of religious leaders.
In terms of legacies, Martin Luther King Jr. is an example of someone whose legacy has left an impact on a great many fields. The first to come to mind for most would be civil rights activism, as he was an instrumental figure in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. However, Martin Luther King Jr is an extremely influential figure in the field of oration and rhetoric. His Letter from Birmingham Jail is a work that he wrote while incarcerated in the Birmingham City Jail in response to criticism from Alabama clergymen. This letter is a prime example of King’s expertise in constructing persuasive rhetoric that appealed to the masses at large.
After establishing creditability, King shifts to explaining the grievances of African American through pathos. He gives examples of personal experience to bring forth the real truth of racism in Birmingham. He pushes for acceptance, oppression, and change for African Americans. If he did not push for those things, racism will still be an unsolved problem today. King stated, “Negroes have experienced grossly unjust treatment in the courts”.(IN TEXT CITATION)
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a very empowering speech in August 28, 1963 and an informative letter in the margins of a newspaper on April 16, 1963. Dr. King took his time to speak out for every African Americans rights, that made him known as the leader of the Civil Rights Movement. The speech that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr wrote “I have a Dream” gives a pathos feel, building ups emotions towards real equality for each and every person, and not just separate, but equal living conditions. It also gives a logos appeal. The speech also called for Civil and Economic Rights.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter from Birmingham Jail opened the eyes of members around the world and he exposed them to his opinion on just laws. Along with just laws, he also provided the clergymen with what unjust laws are and what they lead to. His assertions are accurate and they provide us with a clear notion on to why the world should agree with his beliefs. King is the reason as to why today everyone is considered equal, and his memory should be honored for standing up for what he believed
The “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is set in a time of disturbing unrest, caused by racial issues between the blacks and whites of America. The year of 1963 went down as a rough year in the terms of violence, segregation, and living life everyday in an unpeaceful manner. Other than Martin Luther’s letter, many events also happened that shaped history as we have it today. During the months of April through August, Birmingham, AL and other towns had riots, speeches, and civil abruptness. The historical context represented in this time is shown greatly in not only the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” but in the news daily.
My Personal Response to the Letter from Birmingham Jail A letter excoriating Dr. King and praising the city’s prejudiced police force was issued by a group of Clergymen. While currently in jail at Birmingham as a victim of racism King addresses everybody with intend to bring injustice and aim to stop it for the good of all mankind. Dr. King wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail” a focus on ethic discrimination as a response to follow clergy men. Dr. King compared Socrates as an important thinker which he created tension to inspire mankind to grow with this current tension that everybody is facing but, encourages nonviolence.
On 06/09/2018 at approximately 0435 Officer Sultemeier #969 was doing an hourly jail check in the woman’s wing. I Officer Zagada #967 stayed in booking to try to finish up updating our Classification log. Then, I overheard Officer Sultemeier speak to dispatch about two females coming out of Day Room 6. I Officer Zagada called officer Sultemeier over the radio and asked him “why are you bringing out two girls.”
No one is a stranger to the reality of racial profiling in the police force. Police brutality is not a new topic within American culture but it seems, for the past decade, it afflicts the black community above all else. With the senseless death of black adolescents, black men, and black women increasing and in a highly publicized way, there has to be a solution to the growing problem. But the Jim Crow laws extends beyond the criminal justice system into every aspect of democratic society in America. The criminal justice system increasingly serves as a universal home for punishment and control that focuses predominantly on black and brown and poor people.
Although the United States government is currently engaged in stopping foreign civil rights atrocities, it turns a blind eye to violence acted out against African Americans within its borders (PR N., 2014, para. 4). In South Carolina, the “rebel flag hangs] from the state house walls” (Bryan, 1994, line 2), serving as a constant reminder of the institutionalized racism that reflects U.S. social tensions today. Similarly, training officers, in Ferguson learn to “see communities of color as war zones and to behave like occupiers” (Warren, 2014, para. 3). In fact, human rights violations on African Americans continues to linger after centuries of persecution and racism (PR N., 2014, para. 4).
The problem that occurs with these innovative ideas for change is that ideas often clash and many people of color do not agree on the way in which the change should be implemented. Due to this conflict arises. Marcus Garvey and W.E.B. DuBois had different opinions about black oppression and the ways to approach the issue. In this essay, the two activists, Garvey and Dubois will be compared on their differing views of black oppression.
An obvious view portrayed within the script is that Caucasian’s must hold all authoritative positions within society and further enforce their superiority upon African Americans, guaranteed through the certainty of exclusive Caucasian voting. Another outlook expressed was that throughout history, Caucasians have been a more dominant and distinguished race. Enforcing upon the belief that they must administer positions of power and socially dominant. The value withheld for bearing white blood was viewed as profoundly significant and that it shouldn’t be hindered through conceiving. Further deterring understanding and acceptance of African Americans.