What Is Mlk Thesis In Letter From Birmingham Jail

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In the “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, author Martin Luther King, is writing the clergymen, white moderate, ministers, police etc. to respond to all criticisms they have and to tell them why he is in Birmingham. In doing so he lets them know that they have no other choice but to employ direct action towards segregation. When it comes to the injustices that African Americans are facing not only in Birmingham but everywhere with segregation. He goes over them with the upmost intelligence and respect. When the clergymen complain and call his actions extreme. King begins to emphasize how he was sad that they thought of him that way but wasn’t anymore until he thought it over. He explains to them about two forces and how he stands in the middle of …show more content…

King does not deny he is denying breaking laws but challenges them by saying that laws can be broken if they are unjust. He talks about an early bishop of a Christian Church by the name of St. Augustine. Who also believes that you can break laws that are unjust. He then gives ways to differentiate the two. “Unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with moral law.” “Any law that uplifts human personality is unjust.” He supports this by giving evidence as to why the segregation law is unjust. “All segregation distorts the soul and damages the personality.” He then compares unjust law to him not having a permit. King argues that he didn’t need one because he is protesting for the end of segregation in a peaceful …show more content…

King says that he thought white moderate would understand the tension in the South was needed. That we needed growth from the pretending that there was peace between everyone. He also states that tension has always been there he is just bringing it to light. He says the white moderate always say that they agree with you just to say they don’t like direct action and that’s the only reason they can’t help you. He then talks about why it is acceptable for them to create these tensions by talking about Jesus and how he was perceived evil. Then brought up one person who wrote something to him saying that “All Christians know that the colored people will receive equal rights eventually, but it is possible that you are in too great a religious hurry.” He feels it is the duties of African Americans to work through the works of god this way they can get what they want out of life. King addresses the churches because he is disappointed in them for not taking his side. He believed that they would help them get justice and have the strength to march with them. But instead they didn’t they just choose to ignore the problems and keep their heads down. “So often the contemporary church is weak, ineffable voice with an uncertain sound.” He advocates instead of following the new ways in which churches act they should follow the old standard. So they can influence the

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