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Examples Of Diversity In Letter From Birmingham Jail

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From Discrimination to Diversity You would never guess that Birmingham, Alabama—the beautiful, vibrant, and culturally diverse city that we live in today—was once a city of brutality, hate, and discrimination. In 1963, the South was part of one of the largest movements in history—the Civil Rights Movement. Segregation between white and colored citizens was prevalent, from restaurants and amusement parks to restrooms and water fountains. After being inferior for years, the African American population decided that enough was enough. They soon began participating in nonviolent protests such as boycotting buses, leading sit-ins, marching, and picketing (Cozzens 1). Although the actions were nonviolent, the reactions to them sometimes were not. …show more content…

In reaction to the chaos, eight Alabama clergymen published a public statement asking for the citizens of both races to remain peaceful and live together in an orderly manner. When Martin Luther King, Jr., an activist from Atlanta, Georgia who was currently in the Birmingham City Jail for parading without a permit, saw this letter from the clergymen, he sent a reply in which he addressed the flaws in their argument and explained his reasoning for being in Birmingham. The world we live in today would not be possible if it were not for the determination and passion of Civil Rights activists like him. In “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King, Jr. appeals to the emotions of multiple audiences of 1963, as well as current audiences of 2014, by using meticulous diction, repetition, and vivid imagery to demonstrate his passion for the movement …show more content…

utilizes an appeal to guilt as he calls out the churches for their lack of support. He even explains that some white church members have assisted them in their demonstrations and have even gone so far as to suffer with and for them. King states that he has “wept over the laxity of the church” because “there can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love” (9). This touches the church because he is saying that he loves them, even though they do not support him and show him the same love. All audiences can relate to this, even if no religion is believed in, most everyone believes in the Golden Rule, which says to do unto others as you would have them do unto

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