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How Is Martin Luther King Justified In Letter From Birmingham Jail

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In April 1963 Martin Luther King was arrested and jailed in Birmingham, Alabama, for organizing demonstrations against unjust segregation laws. While in jail, he read a letter written by eight clergymen who denounced his demonstrations. King answered the clergymen in a letter now known as "Letters from Birmingham Jail." A study of American history reveals that King was justified in leading demonstrations against unjust segregation (Jim Crow) laws.

To begin, in April 12, 1966 several Alabama Clergymen wrote an open letter to Martin Luther King criticizing his actions during his demonstration in Birmingham, Alabama. The clergymen state that the demonstrations were unnecessary. They argued that they incite hatred and violence (although they were peaceful) and do not contribute to a resolution. They …show more content…

Google images supports the injustices of slavery by providing images showing how harsh and inhumane slaves were treated. On their journey to America, Africans were shoved into the bottom deck of the ship and chained with hundreds of other slaves for several weeks with little food and water. The images show workers of all ages working tirelessly picking cotton while constantly being watched by a white men carrying guns. Slaves were forced to live in old wooden shacks that were covered with dirt and trash. Slaves who misbehaved were inhumanely whipped and were left with vicious cuts.

In response to the Clergymen criticism, Dr. King wrote the "Letter from Birmingham Jail" to address their concerns. Dr. King distinguishes between just and unjust laws, insisting that a person has both a right and responsibility to break unjust laws. He defines just laws as those that uphold human dignity, and unjust laws as those that degrade human personality. For example, segregation is an unjust law because it makes a distinction between different groups of people which makes it morally

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