Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis

While imprisoned in Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. received a letter from the local clergymen that condemned his actions calling them rash and extreme, in response Dr. King wrote his own letter back defending his decisions. In his letter from Birmingham Jail, Dr. King introduces the idea of positive extremism as he attempts to convince the clergymen of the need for direct action in Birmingham, by showing the similarities in his own struggles and those faced by countless historical and biblical figures.

Martin Luther King Junior lived between the years of 1929 -1968. He was a Baptist

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies but rather, the silence of our friends. (MLK)” This quote from the inspirational civil rights leader captures the motivation behind his “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” He wrote this letter in 1963--after he had been jailed--in response to southern white clergy who called his actions “unwise and untimely.” Although MLK utilizes many varying appeals and devices, Kairos and anaphora are the most forceful because they pressure the white clergy and stimulate guilt in them.

In the beginning of Kings speech he repeats the words history and 100 years. Although the words are simple and used every day they have a deeper meaning in his speech. The words are used to remind his listeners that one hundred years ago the Emancipation Proclamation was signed to free slaves so they could live equal lives. But, a hundred years later black Americans still live a very segregated life. This emphasizes that even though they were relieved from slavery and promised freedom they are still forced to be treated as second class citizens. Black Americans were not even allowed to use the same facilities as everyone else. For example, they could not use the same restrooms or even be served at the same restaurants unless there was a sign that said they could. If they were caught somewhere that they were prohibited from being they would be verbally harassed, arrested, or even beaten. If a restaurant served black Americans they took the chance of having their restaurant being boycotted or

On April 12, 1963, eight clergyman wrote an open letter, “A Call for Unity”. In this published letter, the clergyman expressed their strong disapproval of the civil rights demonstrations taking place in Birmingham, Alabama. Consequently, that same day, civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested for protesting without a permit. In his short eleven day jail sentence, Dr. King directly responded to the clergymen with a letter of his own. In his letter, Dr. King informed his readers about the protests in Birmingham. He explained why the protesters were civilly infringing racist laws and city ordinances; why the protesters had truth and justice; and how he was thwarted with the clergyman and white moderates in the South who said they supported his cause. In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, Dr. King incorporates biblical and historical allusions to defend the strategy of nonviolent resistance to racism. Dr. King’s allusions gave him credibility with his target audience, the clergymen. Additionally, Dr. King subtly asks rhetorical questions and logical conclusions to force his audience to consider his purpose.

The “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is the letter written by Martin Luther King Jr. to the clergymen of Birmingham, in which he speaks up against the nonviolence demonstration criticisms by white modernists. In it King suggests that Socrates is civilly disobedient, despite Socrates’ assertions of breaking the law in the Crito, the prison conversation between Socrates and his friend Crito days before his death. Socrates repeatedly states that it would be morally wrong for him to escape prison and go against the laws, however, King believes that he is civilly disobedient. I, too, believe that Socrates was in some form rebellious to the law, and that he was misunderstood and rejected by society. The Apology and Crito are two dialogues that discuss the intent of Socrates’ “crimes;” and the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” goes along the reasoning behind King’s claim against Socrates.

Dr. martin Luther king writes a letter addressing his concerns on racism and civil rights in Birmingham jail. He sends it to multiple clergymen who had criticized his peaceful actions. The King emphasizes his dedication to non-violent protests and to not retaliate violently, if met with police resistance. The King addresses the difference between just and unjust laws. He said, people have a right to break unjust laws because it “degrades human personality” and there is a moral obligation to. The King was seen as an extremist and embraced being an extremist if the purpose is morally right. To show compelling evidence he showed famous people who were also considered “extremists.” He mentioned, Abraham Lincolns and Socrates were considered also

A privilege is an aspect that people will rely on to have an advantage over another, which can be completely unjust. Dr. King states in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” that “It is a historical fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily. Individuals may see the moral light and voluntarily give up their unjust posture, but groups tend to be more immoral than individuals.” I strongly agree with this implication. Even to this day groups will not give up their privileges willingly, consequently exhibiting exactly how unjust and inhumane these groups of people that have this “advantage” are and can be. Due to the numerous amount of circumstances leading to this accusation, like political leaders acting selfishly or

Place yourself in the shoes of someone who is not allowed to sit down on a public bus,; who is not permitted to stay in certain motels,; who is not tolerated in the “white only” family amusement park,; that was the painful impediment that African Americans of the 1960’s faced solely due to the melanin in their skin (King 2). Among these African Americans was the reverend, doctor, humanist, husband, and Civil Rights activist, Mr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King was a middle class, black man with a life-long devotion of implementing ethnic equality to African Americans nationwide. Following one of Rev. King’s peaceful protests in Birmingham, Alabama, he was jailed on accounts of “parading without a permit” (King

Paragraph 14 of Letter From Birmingham Jail is such an effective piece of writing because of its use of pathos, logos, repetition, parallel structure, direct address and metaphors. King uses logos to discuss the fact that they have waited for 340 years for their rights. Later on he uses pathos to give different pictures of the injustices African Americans face, to target the clergymen's sense of empathy. King uses repetition in paragraph 14 When he repeats the word "when", he emphasizes the problem about discrimination and injustice, and it also appeals to people's emotions. Every time he mentions "when", it makes the audience feel that the problem always happens which awakens more sympathy.

Live oak lined drives across the Southern United States are often filled with recognizable scenes from the past. Large planation homes with beautiful alleyways and gardens are swept in seas on cotton and sugar cane. Commanding statues of generals in grey salute onlookers and remind visitors and residents alike of the complicated past in the South. Symbols and memorials alike are often vessels for pride or disgust depending on how one chooses to view them. It is easy to get lost in the beauty of the homes or history of the landmarks, but a palpable tension of a marred past can transform these symbols into something sinister.

Example, quote, detail, or fact from the text:Kings notions that a person who breaks an unjust law that restricts people of their said rights is in fact respecting the law and providing justice.

In Letter from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. responds to the clergymen with an effective piece that criticizes their lack of involvement. King’s statement, “Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will,” powerfully summarizes his irritation with not only the clergymen, but with the white moderates (King 267). Personally, I find this quote intriguing because of its complexity. King’s style of writing and structure for this quote specifically emphasize the difference between the people of good will and ill will. The quote also requires a sufficient amount of reflection in order to fully grasp the concept. The quote depends on how one translates “understanding.” Understanding can mean more than just comprehending the topic; understanding can mean having the awareness and initiative to take the appropriate action, and in this case to do the right thing.

King wanted to stir the emotions of the American people who were still holding on to the idea that freedom and equality could exist without having segregation. In the opening statement,

Nobel Peace Prize winner, Martin Luther King Jr. writes “Letter from Birmingham Jail” to address Clergymen during April 16, 1963, after being jailed for parading without a permit. King’s purpose is to have equality, and justice for negroes. He adopts an indignant tone in order to present unjust law that Clergymen were making. In a similar fashion, Jonathan Edwards, a Valedictorian at Yale, writes “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” to address puritans. Edwards purpose is to persuade the Puritans into joining his covenant group. By doing this, he adopts an extremist tone in order to appeal to different religions. Both of these pieces use methods that differ in many ways. We must first analyze these two pieces to decipher which one is more effective. And by doing so we must first define effective-“consistent throughout.” Within the next paragraphs, I’m going to point out all of the things King and Edwards did in their writing. This will not only enhance your thoughts about these two credible men; it will show you the difference within these pieces.