Charles Blow Letter From Birmingham Jail

The Letter from a Birmingham Jail is written by Dr. Martin Luther King who addresses the clergyman who criticized him and the decision to protest in Birmingham. I found it a little surprising that he started the letter with “ My dear Fellow Clergymen.” I figured that King should at least be offended or upset that the clergymen questions and criticizes his decisions. However, he addresses them in a formal and polite manner by simply explaining his decisions.
King’s letter and March Book Two both have similar messages and images. In the First Year Reader on page 536, King says “ When you have to concoct an answer for a five- year-old son asking in agonizing pathos: “ Daddy, why do white people treat colored people so mean?” In addition in March Book Two on page 135, a young

Black girl tells a White police officer that she wants “ F’eedom.” These two quotes demonstrates how segregation affects the youth and their ability to develop as young children.

They are curious as to why they are being mistreated at school or in the streets. It’s hard for African American parents to explain to their children about racism and the abuse that goes around. I read an article by columnist Charles Blow titled, Race Relations Out at Republican Debates. When I first observed the title, I knew that race was a topic that was omitted from the debate and should be addressed immediately. He is discussing the lack of awareness that racism received at the republican GOP debate. Actually Blow is quite humerous when he says “Even the Republican front-runner chose Parks. (No, I’m still not using his name because I’m still smarting over the obscenely disproportionate and undeserved media coverage he has received.) When he says this, he is regarding to Republican Trump. In the last paragraph of the article he states that “There is no excuse for the omission of race relations from this debate. None. They should have been asked directly and should have been given time to answer sufficiently.” I agree with Blow because the topic of race is essential and should be discussed by potential people who want to take control of the country.

I Am sure that there were several spectators who questioned, what about race? Candidates delved into the subjects of war and weapons, but not race within America. It’s a bit ironic because candidates like Donald Trump and Ben Carson talk about the race of President Obama and his religion. Yet, candidates failed to talk about growing and expanding race relations across the country. Lastly, Lewis’ speech at the March on Washington was very strong and elaborate. He says “We are tired of being beaten by policeman and we want our freedom now.” This shows the frustration that Lewis’ has over the mistreatment of Blacks by White police officers. Another quote that Lewis’ made is that “We do not want to go to jail, but we will go to jail if this is the price we must pay for love, brotherhood and true peace.” This is significant because it emphasizes the practice of nonviolence and peaceful demonstrations will continue even though African Americans will be beat and imprisoned. Much like King, Lewis’ goal was not to promote violence, but embrace it and use it as a spark to continue their act of nonviolence.