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ANALYSIS OF dR. kING'S lETTER FORM bIRMINGHAM JAIL
ANALYSIS OF dR. kING'S lETTER FORM bIRMINGHAM JAIL
Martin luther king jr impact on the civil rights movement
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1. What stands out to you from MLK's letter? (strongly agree? anything you disagree with?) I agree with what MLK had to say. What stands out to me is how forgiving MLK was toward the whites. 2. Why does MLK feel like the movement cannot wait? “Justice too long delayed is justice denied”- MLK. The blacks have been waiting for more than 340 years for equal rights and it was time for justice to take place. 3. How does MLK view himself in relation to white "moderates" and black extremists? He views himself as following God's law as his duty as a Christian. He acts with love and justice towards the whites in order to gain equality for all blacks. 4. What does MLK warn may happen if the non-violent movement doesn't see results? He warns that if
...hat had to be changed. If King had not written this letter he would not have had the opportunity to change the views of segregation. To change the minds of a reader is a hard thing to do. I felt that Martin Luther king was a master in the art of persuasion.
With the end of the Civil war, many blacks felt that they would start reaping the benefits that had been denied from them for years. Being able to vote, own land, have a voice in political affairs were all goals that they felt were reachable. The era of Reconstruction was the “miracle” they had been searching for. But the South wasn’t going down without a fight and blacks would have to wait at least 100 years for Freedom Summer to arrive to receive the “miracle” they wanted. 100 years it took for equality to become more than just a word but a way of life for blacks. But they did enjoy some privileges that weren’t available to them.
“As we walk, we must make a pledge that we shall always march ahead.”(MLK , I have a Dream Speech). Martin Luther King JR. was a remarkable man. He helped the community like no other did. He is a great character and role model towards all African Americans and others. He shows bravery, kindness, and has the eyes to make change happen. He was an inspiration to many less fortunate people than him, and people who had more than him. Do we have the bravery and courage that this man had? Do we have the eyes for change? MLK had something many didn’t. MLK made a change because something was bothering him in his community, he brought people together, was an inspiration to many because of his patience, and had a dream.
Martin Luther King believed in integration, he believed that everyone, blacks and whites should live and work together as equals. ‘I have a dream that … one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.' He held hope that one day black and white Americans would be united as one nation. This approach was crucial for engaging the white community. King was best able to expres...
He is addressing the clergymen directly with his letter, but he is also addressing the readers that will see it after the letter has been distributed to another person. He openly criticizes the clergymen and the other Christians that are supposed to be supporting the good cause and seeing that this isn’t what God would want. King says he is disappointed in the “white moderate, who is more devoted to order than to justice”(King 3). He is saying that is disappointed with the whites because they are more worried about following the laws that were set for them, than doing what is right. King also understands what history has said about African Americans, but he wants to show the readers that what the law has been is wrong (Osborn
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was written to address the public criticism he and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference received from eight clergymen. In his letter, King shows off his fiery emotion throughout his letter. However, King does not force his beliefs upon his readers. Rather, he hopes that his readers will see his perspective on the situation through an emotional appeal. If the readers are able to recognize the injustice and inequality suffered by the African American community, perhaps they can. The fourteenth and fifteenth paragraphs were a true testament to his passion and ambition for equal rights.
I believe the letter also sought to solidify his position on the injustice created by segregation and illustrate the lack of action not only of the white moderate, but also the complacent black citizens. In addition, it was important to make light of the single-minded comments of the white religious leaders when referring to their worry about the demonstrations; without focusing on why the demonstrations came about. They were looking at the effects and not the causes. Also, Martin Luther King says that “…freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” Important distinctions to make for those that are not compelled by the injustice of segregation; mainly the complacent black citizens and the white moderate. Ultimately, the letter is a call to action; a call to the people of the American South to change their beliefs and change their society. Also, an example of how difficult it is to achieve change when resistance is demonstrated by individuals and society at large.
While addressing the clergymen’s public statement, King successfully encouraged his followers to stay in a hopeful and devoted state of mind despite the clergymen’s advice to cease demonstrations and marches. This is the reason why this letter is so important to the civil rights movement. It proved that although King was arrested, he remained hopeful in his boycotts, his sit-ins, and his demonstrations, because he believed in a better future for society.
' It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity... We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists that, 'justice too long delayed is justice denied '," (King). At the time, African Americans had been denied their constitutional and God-given rights for 340 years. While nations in Asia and Africa work steadily towards political independence, the U.S. is still fighting over segregation.
Martin Luther King has hardly gotten into why the Negroes should have equal rights and is already bringing the Lord onto his side. While he can count on this having a lasting effect on the black Baptist community, the same assumption cannot be made pertaining to the white population. Keeping in mind that the audience he must now sway are traditional americans, the only common trait amongst them that can be safely assumed is their patriotism. He makes a desperate attempt to incorporate ideals of patriotism such as freedom in his final statement
Martin Luther King Jr. is known for his use of religion to justify actions, with this letter as a prime example. He believes that the morality of laws should be put into question to see if they are just, where the measurement of morality comes from an inner scale that is balanced by religion. Martin Luther King Jr. was a revolutionary, inciting nonviolent change in America through government protests, not conforming to the rules and norms has set for him to accept his poor condition in life. He says, “...segregation is not only politically, economically, and sociologically unsound, it is morally wrong and sinful.” Therefore, he believes that the government’s rule is not legitimate unless it follows his perception of what is just, which is fueled by religious beliefs. This causes independent action because he senses a problem in life, and feels like he must serve a greater purpose to be able to solve
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" is a very effective letter. Through an intriguing opening, his ability to discredit his oppressor's words and create detailed yet clear responses, effectively integrate the quotes and examples of others to help illustrate his points, his descriptive logical and emotional appeals and his strong, confident closing, King created a letter that is powerful enough to provoke thoughts inside any person that reads it.
MLK depicted gruesome imagery throughout his letter in order to force the white clergymen to feel the Negros pain. For instance, he mentions how Negros have tried many times to negotiate, and were left with ‘Broken promises, blasted hopes.’(King) Whites had always told the Negros to wait, that their segregation will end eventually. MLK describes the word ‘wait’ as it “rings in the ear of every Negro with a piercing familiarity,” (King), “It’s easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say ‘wait’.”(King) MLK’s choice of poignant wording to describe the Negros pain and suffering is effectively what helps deliver those feelings onto the white clergymen. While gruesome imagery is placed throughout his letter, MLK also dedicates an entire section of his letter solely to gain their understanding. “When you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters with impunity; when you see the vast majority of your twenty million Negro
He uses logos, pathos and ethos to show the passion behind his cause. This letter opened eyes to people of that time. Segregation is unjust and the laws should not bend just for color. He quotes St. Augustine, “an unjust law is no law at all.” This quote sums up the whole letter and its purpose: laws should be just for all and that when it is not, it is man’s job to seek justice, peacefully.
MLK would always preach about the nonviolent way being better and this was true because it showed the white moderates that they meant no harm. Whenever violence broke out they would be able to easily tell who was the one who started it. His methods inspired the Cngress of Rational Equality and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee to ride a bus throughout the southern states to see if there were any problems and if they had any desegregated buses. In Alabama they encountered a white mob who lit the bus on fire and beat the passengers. This made world news so it started the conversation and encouraged JFK to take action. JFK then started brings up a strong civil rights bill to congress called the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that banned different voting standards for blacks and whites, witheld federal funds from public/provate programs that practiced discrimination, and banned discrimination based on religion,sex,or national origin by employers and unions. MLK's peaceful method was the effective in inspiring change in