ipl-logo

Does Martin Luther King Jr Mean In Letter From Birmingham Jail

291 Words2 Pages

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and congressman Robert Kennedy tried to inspire people who listened to or read their speeches or letters to stand against segregation worldwide by using powerful words that had meaning behind them. In Dr. King's “Letter From Birmingham Jail” he states, “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” This quote inspires many people who read his letter by providing very powerful words which allow the reader to feel strongly about the stand for freedom. Another way Dr. King used strong words to inspire people is by stating in his “I Have a Dream” speech, “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of

Show More
Related

  • What Does King Jr Mean In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    312 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Summary Of Letter From Birmingham Jail By Martin Luther King

    304 Words  | 2 Pages

    In his "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. expressed his views on unfair laws, which brings a strong moral qualm. He argues that while people have a moral need to rebel against unjust laws, they similarly have a legal obligation to respect just laws. According to King, unjust laws are those that decrease human dignity and create a sense of shame, like segregation laws. King's ability to discern between a just and injust law and understand how the laws are applied makes his case more compelling. He recognizes that certain laws could seem fair on the surface but end up being unfair in practice.

    Read More

  • Summary Of Martin Luther King Letter From Birmingham Jail

    607 Words  | 3 Pages

    Whether it was between the various bombings of African American households, offensive and racist segregational legislation, or the prevalent consistency of discrimination against colored people throughout the entire history of the United States, certain individuals like Martin Luther King Jr. assured their energy would be spent battling against the racial discrimination during the 1960s. Consequently, King’s efforts to non-violently protest still led to his imprisonment in Birmingham City on charges that had violated Alabama’s legislation against mass public demonstrations. While imprisoned at the Birmingham City Jail, King utilized any sort of material to compose his own literary wrath in response to white-clergymen who had previously criticized

    Read More

  • Is Martin Luther King Jr Used In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    434 Words  | 2 Pages

    “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”.

    Read More

  • Does Martin Luther King Jr Mean In Letter To Birmingham Jail

    559 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the Letter to Birmingham, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. explains the difference between just and unjust laws. He began a civil rights movement for the African American community using nonviolent methods while speaking to the masses. His rhetorical speech or letter used persuasive, logic and morals to make his points. His words made man people stop and listen to this man’s words of wisdom for his people. in the opening of the letter, King shows his credentials to the reader, “I think I should indicate why I am here in Birmingham, since you have been influenced by the view which argues against "outsiders coming in.

    Read More

  • Does Martin Luther King Jr Mean In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    692 Words  | 3 Pages

    Birmingham Letter Saint Augustine, an early Christian philosopher, when discussing unjust laws stated “An unjust law is no law at all.” This was from the early 3rd century, yet it is still very relevant in King’s day. Martin Luther King Jr was a pastor and leader in the civil rights movement. He was thrown in jail in Birmingham in 1963. While he was confined in a small cell, he wrote a letter in response to a article the local clergymen wrote about him criticizing his movement.

    Read More

  • Does Martin Luther King Jr Mean In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    585 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King Letter From Birmingham Jail

    788 Words  | 4 Pages

    To ‘fight fire with fire’ is a phrase that insinuates that there is a method to stop oppression with more oppression, and violence with more violence. Although many prominent leaders of the Civil Rights Movement of the sixties believed this to be true, Dr Martin Luther King Jr did not believe in the violence, and instead would lead a movement of peaceful protests throughout the southern United States. Despite this, he and the people who walked beside him were hosed down, beaten by police, and thrown into prison. Whilst locked away in Birmingham Jail in April 1963, Dr King Jr had nothing but time and an open letter from eight bitter clergymen of Birmingham, condemning the protests. In his response, Letter From Birmingham Jail, Dr Martin Luther

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter To Birmingham City Jail

    1685 Words  | 7 Pages

    Some people have claimed that Martin Luther King, Jr. is a 20th century Socrates. Indeed, King compares himself to Socrates at several points in his Letter from the Birmingham City Jail. In this paper I will argue that King is in fact a 20th century Socrates. By a 20th century Socrates, I mean someone who, like Socrates, is committed to practicing their philosophy, pursues just actions, and fights against moral complacency. I will show that King does meet this definition.

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King Jr Criticize In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    351 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Response To Letter From Birmingham Jail By Martin Luther King Jr.

    649 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter From Birmingham Jail

    1302 Words  | 6 Pages

    I believe that paragraphs 9 and 12 from Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” are the strongest paragraphs in this letter of his. These paragraph is so profound and truly explain why segregation is unjust in two short paragraphs. They don’t go into a lot of detail on why segregation is unjust, because they don’t need to. They’re argument is strong enough with how short they are. Since these paragraphs give an easy to understand and short reasoning as to why segregation is unjust, explains what makes a law just or unjust, and show that just laws can be unjust when applied to situations such as segregation, I believe they are the strongest paragraphs in this letter.

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter To Birmingham City Jail

    726 Words  | 3 Pages

    Civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr, in his Letter from Birmingham City Jail, argues against criticism from eight Alabama clergymen, and addresses their concerns. He defends his position, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), against accusations of disturbing the peace in Birmingham, as well as explaining his values and opinions. Throughout the letter, King adopts a strong logical and credible tone, and reinforces his position through the use of strong emotional justifications, in order to appeal to the clergymen and defend his public image. Martin Luther King opens up his Letter from Birmingham City Jail by appealing to the clergymen's emotions, and assuring his peaceful response, which he describes in "patient and

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King's Allusion In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    168 Words  | 1 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Summary Of Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham Jail

    895 Words  | 4 Pages

    In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. led a peaceful movement in Birmingham, Alabama. The purpose of the demonstration was to bring awareness and end to racial disparity in Birmingham. Later that night, King and his followers were detained by city authorities. While in custody, King wrote the famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” This letter voiced out his disappointment in the criticisms, and oppositions that the general public and clergy peers obtained.

    Read More

More about Does Martin Luther King Jr Mean In Letter From Birmingham Jail

Open Document