1.) Martin Luther King Jr. writes an open letter, which he calls “Letter from Birmingham Jail” to respond to the accusations made about him from clergymen. The letter initiates by King explaining the reasons for his presence in Birmingham and clarifying that he was invited to the city. Next, King defines the steps of a non-violent direct action and provides the reasoning for this approach. King continues to back up this approach by explaining how waiting has not solved anything. Then, a discussion of just versus unjust laws is made to rightfully defend why protestors “break laws.” The last sections focus on King’s disappointment starting with how non-radical white people do not want to deal with the issue. Moreover, he is disappointed in the church and the clergymen who instead of joining his movement insist on making wrongful judgments about it. In conclusion, King states the reasons for his letter being lengthy and the importance of everything he has written.
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Then, he continues to say, “I would have no time for constructive work”, this statement proves he is a credible man whose work is important/powerful. Lastly, he uses the word “fellow” in his opening statement, “My Dear Fellow Clergymen”, to show he is as credible as they are which also establishes equality.
3.) The reasons for Kings presence in Birmingham include; him being the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, he has an office in Birmingham, he was invited by his conference’s local affiliate, and he was called to engage in a nonviolent direct-action program.
4.) The reason why King explains the four steps of a nonviolent campaign is to show the clergymen that his approach is not radical. Moreover, he wants to prove that negotiation is used in his approach, since the clergymen asked “Why direct action… Isn’t negotiation a better