Dr. Martin Luther King, a prominent figure in the Civil Rights movement, was a man of integrity. King advocated that nonviolent civil disobedience was the way to achieve racial justice in the fight for desegregation. He, along with the members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, would hold many demonstrations and marches, as well as nonviolent, public disobedience of unjust laws, throughout his desegregation journey. Each time they would form to stand for their rights, King knew that there would be consequences. They ranged from public backlash to the harshest punishment of jail time. In Kings most famous writings, “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, his audience, which was then his fellow clergymen, get an insight as to what civil disobedience, moderates, and race meant to him. As defined, civil disobedience is a nonviolent, public refusal to obey allegedly unjust laws. From behind the bars of the Birmingham, Alabama jail, King defends his timing and need to help the African Americans of Birmingham stand up for their civil right to be equal as all of the other community members, meaning to be equal to the white population. He explains to the clergymen that “We …show more content…
Although he was defending a racially charged question his fellow clergymen questioned, King’s argument seldom categorized the racial issue of segregation as a “Black and White” issue; however it was presented on the basis of what was moral or “just”. To demonstrate that his civil disobedience was that of a moral issue, King states in his letter “Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself, and that I what has happened to the American Negro.”(King137-138) He has taken the racial charge out of the situation by referring to the fellow American Negro as “oppressed people” as opposed to using racial terms. His tack in words opens his thoughts from being focused on one race to all
He is composed, collective, and calm when writing his letter to the clergymen, and effectively used stirring diction and syntax to enlighten his audience on his mission towards racial justice that God Himself approves of. His letter is a testimonial to a black person’s life in America, where “we [black americans] creep at horse and buggy pace toward gaining a cup of coffee at a lunch counter” (para 13). His letter was history in the making with every stroke of the pen. It truly showed that the pen is mightier than the the
In his Letter from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. makes a sound and effective argument against Southern clergymen that the actions performed by him leading to his imprisonment were justified. His argument is effective because he used references from the Bible that the clergymen are familiar with to argue to them that breaking a law is just if the law is unjust. For example, King argued the idea that disobeying unjust laws can be justified by referencing three biblical figures that disobeyed an unjust law and survived their punishment through divine intervention (21). King also strengthened his argument by refuting the clergymen’s opinions that his actions were too extreme.
In “Letter from Birmingham Jail” Martin Luther King Jr responds to his fellow clergymen criticism by arguing that all people have a moral obligation to fight injustice. He educates people about the racial tension and injustice in Birmingham to show that racism has influenced the rest of the United States. King also differentiates between just and unjust laws in order to justify civil disobedience and having to break the state’s law when necessary. He states that African Americans can no longer wait for justice but they must band together to argue for their rights in nonviolent way. King writes this letter to defend civil disobedience so that the racial injustice that African Americans have been enduring can come to an end.
In Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was this line, “We must use time creatively, and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.” King was the leader of the African-American Civil Rights Movement as well as an activist for humanitarian causes. King wrote this influential letter after hearing that his fellow clergymen thought his actions were, “unwise and untimely” and while sitting in a jail cell. The letter reflects on all the reasons why these men of faith should realize the injustice of racism.
“We are absorbed in an inescapable network of mutuality, combining a single apparel of destiny”. Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister and enthusiast who was an individual of the most prominent rulers in the civil rights campaign from 1955 until his slaying in 1968. Dr. King printed a letter to a group of clergymen illustrating his position for peaceable direct action in the text Dr. Ruler uses three rhetorical appeals to convince the ministers that his conduct was appropriate. Dr. King uses pathos initially of his report saying “while confined in this place in the Birmingham city Jail” his hard luck story was shown here proverb “confined” show that he feels trapped. Another example Dr. Ruler states “But since I feel you are men of real goodwill what your criticisms sincerely describe”.
Slavery had been abolished by the time Martin Luther King Jr. had grown up, but the aftermath was still being sorted out, with him leading the charge to fix the wrongs committed against African Americans. After a peaceful protest, he was sent to Birmingham Jail, where he would write a letter. He could’ve paused to answer criticisms but he didn’t, only wrote the letter to appeal to the masses whose rights were limited and lives were under constant bereavement. This letter would apply to these masses, and in turn, call upon their humanity, morals, and ethics. MLK went on to state the reasons he was in Birmingham at all.
This letter was sent by Martin Luther King Junior from Birmingham jail to a group of Alabama clergymen in order to petition for the removal of many racist segregation laws that plagued the black communities in the 1900s such as segregation in public areas such as water fountains, bus stations and luncheon counters. King was arrested because of the many non-violent protests and sit-ins that he coordinated. King's protests were viewed as being extremist which led to him being arrested multiple times. He was well aware of the risks he was taking, but King never gave up hope because he did not wish to see justice for blacks be delayed any longer. King makes multiple attempts to establish a common ground with the clergymen by making many religious
In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter to fellow clergy after he was arrested for civil disobedience in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Martin Luther King not only talks about his views on the reaction of people who are considered lower class but ones who also have a higher rank. Dr. King explains that he believes that there were many unjust reasons that he was placed in jail, but also understood his consequences of his actions. We as Americans not only African Americans but all races from then to this day and age now still commend and respect all of the sacrifices Dr. King made. Although today he would be disappointed as we witness everything he fought for arise again at this time. Dr. King described the difference between just and unjust laws
While in solitary confinement for nearly 8 days, reverend and social justice activist, Martin Luther King Jr., wrote his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail in response to the criticism he received for his non-violent protests. Several clergy who negatively critiqued King’s approach of seeking justice, wrote A Call for Unity, arguing that his protests were senseless and improper. Within the article, the clergymen provide nine different critiques that asserted how King’s protest are invalid, uneffective, and simply unintelligent in the fight for obtaining justice and equity for individuals of color. His letter has become one of the most profound pieces of literature of the 20th century, as King uses vivid examples and eloquent rhetorical devices to counter all nine arguments.
In Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” he is addressing the Clergymen, more specifically the white church and its leadership who criticized his efforts in the civil rights movement, by calling his demonstrations unwise and untimely. He is also simultaneously addressing the national audience as well in letting them know of the injustices of the time. It was 1963, and Martin Luther King Jr. wrote this letter from inside a jail cell. He had been arrested during an anti-segregation march for not having a valid parading permit in Birmingham, Alabama. In this letter he addresses the criticisms that were brought forth to him.
Response to “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr. In Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, he responded to statements written in a Birmingham newspaper that criticized his actions in the city. He undermined these disapprovals by explaining his belief in nonviolent direct action. King also went on to give opinions on other topics, such as, the lack of support from white moderates and white churches. He used technique and structure to develop his ideas and justify his methods.
In 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. was sent to jail because of a peaceful protest, protesting treatments of blacks in Birmingham. Before the protest a court ordered that protests couldn’t be held in Birmingham. While being held in Birmingham, King wrote what came to be known as the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” Not even King himself could predict how much of an impact this letter would have on the Civil Rights Movement. In the letter kind defended Kings beliefs on Nonviolent Protests, King also counters the accusations of him breaking laws by categorizing segregation laws into just and unjust laws. King uses this principle to help persuade others to join him in his acts of civil disobedience.
Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential leaders of his time and played a crucial role in the African-American Civil Rights movement. Luther was a charismatic leader who took a firm stand against the oppressive and racist regime of the United States (US), devoting much of his life towards uniting the segregated African-American community of the US. His efforts to consolidate and harmonise the US into one country for all is reflected in many of his writings and speeches spanning his career. As a leader of his people, King took the stand to take radical measures to overcome the false promises of the sovereign government that had been addressing the issues of racial segregation through unimplemented transparent laws that did nothing to change the grim realities of the society. Hence, King’s works always had the recurring theme of the unity and strength of combined willpower.
Martin Luther King uses allusion in “Letter from Birmingham Jail” to add greater meaning to the cause he is defending. Dr. King includes many biblical references in his writing to compare the similarities between actions in the bible and his. For instance, Martin Luther King says “like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid.” Since Martin Luther King King is writing his letter to clergymen, his religious allusions are used to appeal to them; specifically, Dr. King brings up the point that certain tension is caused by people who have been subjected to grievances and believe “...that the white man is an incurable ‘devil.’” In saying this, Martin Luther King tells the clergymen that their sanctimonious acts and racial
Violence cannot solve everything because in the aftermath, both parties suffer severely. We the people can effectively solve problems without losing a drop of blood, which is called civil disobedience. Instead of attacking directly, people can deteriorate the society insidiously through political, economic, or social means. Civil disobedience produces immense impact only if a group of people actively preach the idea and accept consequences of their actions. Everyone can write a speech and talk about what they believe is right for the society, but it is not easily accomplished if words are not backed up by action.