Rhetorical Analysis Of Letter From Birmingham Jail

In the early 1960s the Negro community in Birmingham Alabama experienced an immense amount of racial injustice through the acts of segregation. A religious group in the community, more commonly known as the Eight White Clergymen, published "A Call For Unity" in the local paper. In this letter, the Clergymen argued against the public demonstrations taking place in Birmingham and further provided the community with alternative options. In direct response to the Clergymen Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote the "Letter from Birmingham Jail." In this letter, King's intentions are to answer the Clergymen's' "criticisms" in "patient" and "reasonable" terms. To convey his points, King rationally addresses the Clergymen's concerns with "outsiders" involving

King also claims to initiate change individuals must break "unjust" laws. In support of his argument, King provides a sufficient amount of reasonable and credible evidence for his audience.
First, King addresses the Clergymen's concerns against "outsiders" with cogent and adequate support. He explains his "organizational ties" in Birmingham, and how he was "invited" there. Mentioning these organizations he is affiliated with provides significant importance, because it indirectly suggests he shouldn't be considered an "outsider" in Birmingham due to these ties. Additionally, this helps build his credibility among his audience, because it clarifies that he isn't oblivious to the local issues. Another way King builds his credibility is through a metaphor in which he compares himself to the Apostle Paul. King affirms "… just as the Apostle Paul left his village...and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ... I [am] compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own hometown." By providing this comparison King proves to

He laments the Clergymen's ideas "[deal] merely with effects and [don't] grapple with underlying causes." The "underlying causes" is a reference to the segregation taking place in the community of Birmingham, and suggests the demonstrations are only an effect of the racial inequality. The truth in King's belief strengthens his argument, because it offers a new perspective for his audience. Yet, he still expresses a sense of agreement with the Clergymen's claim that the demonstrations are "unfortunate." Nevertheless, the Negro community resulted to the demonstrations, because they were left with "no alternative." He supports this concept of having "no alternative" by listing the various attempts they've made before they ultimately resorted to the public demonstrations; which, have all ended in a failed effort. This list provides an efficient amount of evidence that proves the Negro community previously attempted the Clergymen's suggestions of "local negotiation" and legal recourse but failed. In addition to this, King reveals their plan in detail and addresses why resorting to the demonstrations is necessary, rather than "unwise." By indirectly addressing the issues the Clergymen stated, King strengthens his argument and leaves no room for the Clergymen to further enforce their ideas. However, in a