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Tone Of Letter From Birmingham Jail

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On April 16 of 1953, Martin Luther King Junior wrote an astonishing letter to the clergymen of Alabama. That day, King led an anti-segregation protest in hopes to end the cruel treatment of African Americans specifically in Birmingham, Alabama. While he was peacefully protesting, King and others were imprisoned in Birmingham City Jail. Here, King wrote about the horrendous and bitter behavior towards African Americans in the south. Throughout the memorandum, King will parade a formal but personal tone and ventilate the ghastly behavior of white moderates. Most people can agree that laws are made to be followed. However, one of the main points of King’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail” was that it was essential to defy unmerited statues. “ A just …show more content…

Yet, King does not display any hatred. His overall tone is passionate, assertive, and respectful. King has so much love for the people willing to support his cause, and the agony that they suffer will not go unnoticed. “I don't believe you would have so warmly commended the police force if you had seen its angry violent dogs literally biting six unarmed, nonviolent Negroes. I don't believe you would so quickly commend the policemen if you would observe their ugly and inhuman treatment of Negroes here in the city jail; if you would watch them push and curse old Negro women and young Negro girls; if you would see them slap and kick old Negro men and young boys, if you would observe them, as they did on two occasions, refusing to give us food because we wanted to sing our grace together.” (King 5) The quote illustrates the heartache King feels for his people being so mistreated, unable to collectively celebrate their god and attacked while mellow. Many times in his letter, King depicts passionate tones discussing the treatment of African Americans and his Christian morals. Along with being passionate, King is also very assertive in his letter. “... I must honestly reiterate that I have been disappointed with the church. I do not say that as one of those negative critics who can always find something wrong with the church. I say it as a minister of the gospel who loves the church, who was nurtured in its bosom, who has been sustained by its Spiritual blessings, and who will remain true to it as long as the cord of life shall strengthen.” (King 5) King calls out the Christian churches of the south for not advocating for the black community who were predominantly Christian. He exclaims that many Christian leaders are his outright opponents and some are just too fearful to understand or support the freedom movement. At the end of his letter, King makes sure to add an apology for

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