Analysis Of Martin Luther King Letter From Birmingham Jail

1283 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The effect of racism

Christine Resey Horn POLS101 Derek Carver 5/1/14 Martin Luther King “Letter from Birmingham Jail” What put King behind bars? Martin Luther King was placed behind bars for his bravery. He stood up for the sake of his people, for a better lifestyle, and for equality. As stated, “Martin Luther King was arrested and sent to jail because he and others were protesting the treatments of blacks in Birmingham, Alabama.” He was put into jail for committing a very thoughtful act that he knew would one day make a difference in the world. What Is King attempting to do with this famous letter? In Martin Luther King’s “Letter to Birmingham” he spoke his mind out on a subject that concerned a vast amount of people within the black community. He attempted to bring justice into a society full of hidden tensions and unjust laws. With this famous letter, King’s plan was to defend his people from living a segregated lifestyle. It backed up his actions on what he planned to do for his people, and what he hopes will continue further into the future. In Martin Luther King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963), he states, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” (Martin Luther King, 1963). Simply put, King’s attempt was to protect everyone, not just his own. Just like a drop of water in a river bank, one tiny affect will cause a ripple to undisturbed areas elsewhere. He hoped that everyone would one day be looked at as equal rather than African Americans being considered “animals” or even “outsiders” while whites are considered “respected human beings” receiving special treatments wherever they went. It isn’t an act of equality whatsoever. In this letter, King’s intentions were to inform society in hopes that people will stand by his side ... ... middle of paper ... ...s that were being done, in which he believed was unfair; it was his way of trying to prove a point to everyone that “unjust laws are not laws at all” (King, 1963) Things that were being done in the South were mainly based on unjust laws. They were all wrapped around hatred rather than equal sense and seeing that everyone is human and everyone is the same, regardless of what skin tone people may be. Reference Page King's Letter From Birmingham Jail. (n.d.). . Retrieved , from http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/king/aa_king_jail_2.html Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]. (n.d.). Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]. Retrieved May 13, 2014, from http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html The American Civil Rights Movement: The Media. (2003, October 9). . Retrieved May 1, 2014, from http://histclo.com/essay/war/acr/acr-media.html

Show More
Related

  • Rhetorical Devices Used In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    504 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this excerpt, King conveys the prejudiced feelings that every African American would feel in this kind of society, which causes the reader to automatically feel sympathy towards the cause. Martin Luther King Jr.’s approach towards ending segregation was not only tactful, it was forthright in the ideals of racial equality. His argument holds such strong logic, that it seems like it is unchallengeable. This letter is solid proof of the intelligence and passion that contributed greatly towards African Americans gaining the rights they fought for, and rightfully deserve.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Letter From Birmingham Jail

    718 Words  | 2 Pages

    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested on April 12, 1963, in Birmingham, for having a protest without a proper permit. On the exact day King was arrested, eight clergymen from Alabama wrote a letter called “A Call for Unity.” The letter called for termination of civil activities and demonstrations and designated King an “outsider” and saying that outsiders were the problems in Birmingham and not the blacks that are from there. On April 16 King wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, which was his responds to his fellow clergymen. He wrote the letter as a means to convince the clergymen and the white moderate that the nonviolent demonstrations that had got him arrested, were a necessity and to enlighten them on why the segregation laws in the southern states needed to be changed. In “Letter from Birmingham Jail” King uses logos, pathos, and ethos to persuade the clergymen and convince them in assisting him in putting an end to segregation laws of blacks in Birmingham, Alabama.

    Read More

  • Ethos Pathos Logos In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    836 Words  | 2 Pages

    In 1963, when African-Americans were fighting for black and white equality, Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” While confined in the Birmingham jail, King felt the need to respond to a letter published in the local newspaper. This letter criticized King’s intentions during his visit by saying they were untimely. As a way to defend his actions, King put together a number of arguments and beliefs that proved why taking direct action was necessary during a time of racial discrimination. Furthermore, to persuade his audience, King had to gain trust and share the emotional connection he had with his people.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    757 Words  | 2 Pages

    In 1963 on April 16th, Martin Luther King Jr, who was in the Birmingham jail for non-violent protesting wrote a letter in response to a statement from eight white Clergymen, in which they stated that his recent activities were “unwise and untimely.” In this letter King proceeds to state his purpose and reasons for his timing and his protests and powerfully he does so. He most obviously directs the letter to the Clergymen but there seems to be a many different audiences he wishes to enlighten on his thoughts. From what I gather he wants public figures and everyday men to read his letter, and by doing so he hopes to raise awareness for the cruel acts that have been done to the blacks. King gets his point across, that segregation is unfair and morally not right and that man has a responsibility to act against unjust laws, by using many different strategies throughout the letter. He uses logos, pathos, and ethos to do so. While using these devices he shows emotion, gives logic to his reasoning’s and gives credibility as well.

    Read More

  • What Is The Rhetorical Situation In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    1005 Words  | 3 Pages

    The letter was written during the 1960’s when people, white people in particular, believed that segregating African Americans was civil and humane. Furthermore, white people thought that African Americans were an inferior race. King includes the following in his letter: “I doubt that you would so quickly commend the policemen if you were to observe their ugly and inhumane treatment of Negroes here in the city jail; if you were to watch them push and curse old Negro women and young Negro girls…” (p.187) Martin Luther King’s purpose of writing is to address this occasion of racism and cruelty towards African Americans living in the United States of America. In the letter, King attempts to appeal to multiple audiences. His first major audience is the eight Alabama clergymen. King’s letter is a direct response to them and their belief that the non-violent protests occurring in the city create tension and are unlawful. Another audience is the white moderate who does not take a stance on the issue of African Americans having basic human rights. By

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King, Jr.

    708 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the "Letter from a Birmingham Jail", Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. responds to an article by eight clergymen, in which he explains the racial injustice in Birmingham, and reasons why King's organization is protesting for Civil Rights. He introduces himself and his actions at the beginning of his letter. He states that the purpose of his direct action protest is to open the door for negotiation on the Civil Rights. He tries to convince his audience by providing evidence in order to gain his audience to be involved in his movement and support him. He also highlights police actions against nonviolent Negros and crimes against humanity in Birmingham city jail.

    Read More

  • King's Refutation Toward the Clergymen

    1493 Words  | 3 Pages

    Martin Luther King, Jr. is known to be a civil rights activist, humanitarian, a father, and a clergyman. He is well known for fighting for the equal rights of colored people and ending discrimination. King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail is an important part of history that showed King’s opinion of a letter that he happened to read in the newspaper written by a group of clergyman. In this letter, the group of clergyman report that colored people, also known as black people, are being violent towards Birmingham City. Also, the clergymen believed the time that will allow segregation to be diminished was not happening anytime soon because it is not convenient. King refuted the clergymen’s argument in a variety of ways using tactics of argumentation and persuasion like appeal to emotion through real life examples, appeal to logic, and even articulating certain phrases through metaphors and word choice. Many of these different tactics of argumentation and persuasion made his letter very effective and is now seen as a great piece that is looked upon highly today.

    Read More

  • Allusion In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    671 Words  | 2 Pages

    Letter From Birmingham Jail was a thoroughly written letter by Martin Luther King Jr. It was written in response to a group of clergymen who criticized and questioned King’s actions in Birmingham. The letter explicates that people have the right to break unjust laws in a nonviolent manner just as King intended to do. King also took the central components of the criticism and addressed them separately within the letter. King used numerous rhetorical devices to structure his letter and make it appeal more to the audience.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham Jail '

    769 Words  | 2 Pages

    Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail", was written to answer a critical "Call For Unity" by a group of clergymen in Birmingham. The clergymen were critical of King for "interloping" in the activities of their city. Dr. King said that he had every right to fight unfairness in the country that he lived in. The letter he wrote, in response to the "Call for Unity", and a statement that he would battle racial inequality wherever it was. The "Letter from Birmingham Jail" was the main point in his life. In this letter, he perfectly described his reasons why he felt this way, appealing to logic, emotion, and ethics.

    Read More

  • A Letter From Birmingham Jail By Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

    658 Words  | 2 Pages

    After being arrested in downtown Birmingham on a Good Friday, Reverend Martian Luther King Jr. wrote his famous letter, “A Letter From Birmingham Jail” responding to the criticism demonstrated by eight prominent white clergymen. This letter has been found important through out history because it expresses King’s feelings towards the un-just event and it is an example of a well-written argument.

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis

    1377 Words  | 3 Pages

    King clears up any idea that he’s just someone who has broken the law for no reason. He does this by saying; “I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” (Para 15) This statement tells us that Dr. King is simply adhering to his moral responsibility by doing as he’s supposed to. He knows that following a one-sided makes no sense, and it would be submitting to evil. He even goes on to quote St. Augustine, declaring that, “an unjust law is no law at all.” (Para 15) Therefore, the segregation laws that were implemented in Birmingham at the time were by St. Augustine’s logic, no law at

    Read More

  • King's Letter From Birmingham Jail By Martin Luther King

    1595 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Mr. Luther King's Letter From Birmingham Jail

    408 Words  | 1 Pages

    King writes the letter to defend his organization's actions and the letter is also an appeal to the people, both the white and black American society, the social, political, and religious community, and the whole of American society to encourage desegregation and encourage solidarity and equality among all Americans, with no stratifications according to racial differences. King's letter from Birmingham Jail addresses the American society, particularly the political and religious community of the American society.

    Read More

  • Taking a Look at Plato and Utilitarianism

    1146 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are very few documents in the history of the United States that share the social impact of Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter from Birmingham jail. The aim of Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter was to illustrate the unwillingness of the American South to create positive change because it was afraid of redefining its beliefs, afraid of tension; defining peace as the lack of racial tension instead of the presence of justice and truth. In essence, the letter was a challenge to American society to look within itself and create change.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham Jail

    1413 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 1963, Birmingham was one of the most segregated cities in the South, so civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. brought his campaign of nonviolent resistance to Birmingham. After leading a demonstration on April 12, 1963, King was arrested for violating demonstration ordinances. Shortly after, eight white clergymen in Birmingham sent out a public statement claiming that although they support desegregation, they advise against anymore protests advocated by King, stating that the “demonstrations are unwise and untimely” (Carpenter et al,). While in jail, King took an opportunity to continue his campaign by responding to these eight white clergymen. In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” King uses religious and philosophical allusions to

    Read More

More about Analysis Of Martin Luther King Letter From Birmingham Jail

Open Document