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Martin Luther King Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis

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In 1963, Civil Rights activist and minister Martin Luther King was arrested in Birmingham, Alabama on charges of demonstrating without a license. By King’s own admission, he was there because injustice was there, and King believed “Injustice anywhere is a thread to justice everywhere” (448). He is writing to other ministers, answering criticism that he is too extreme in his behavior, and pushing too hard and too fast for change. Dr. King explains that he has read the recent statement published by clergymen in a Birmingham newspaper, where they described the activities he had done in that city as “unwise and untimely” (447). Though he seldom responds to criticisms, he thinks the men are “of genuine good will” (447), and they deserve an answer. He answers their criticism in his letter by appealing to them on ethical, emotional, and logical grounds. …show more content…

These values can be cultural or religious. King wanted to get other preachers to work with him and he started with “My Dear Fellow Clergymen” (447) to make a connection with them. He ensures the clergymen do not get offended, and at the same time he makes them believe he is looking at the situation from a logical standpoint where he defended his actions. King makes connection with the clergymen by showing continue respect. He also tells them that he is one of them and that he is addressing his concerns by writing them back. As a busy man he can’t write to everybody but he is giving them the attention and importance they

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