Ethos Pathos Logos In Letter From Birmingham Jail

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham City Jail” written in 1963 conveys to the citizens of Alabama and the whole world, about the oppression and biases African Americans faced in the 1960’s. Although, he originally addresses the letter to his “…fellow clergymen.” He wrote in a way that was meant to be published on the local newspaper, thus his purpose was to appeal and seek reason to the white community who were against his campaign of non-violent protest. He uses ethos, pathos, and logos, to encourage change and progression from discrimination and segregation, for a truly equal America. Starting with the one of the most discriminate and wealthiest cities in the U.S.; Birmingham, Alabama.
For example, his famous quote that is known by most of his admirers is a great sample of pathos and logic. He says, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere…. whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” (King 3 ¶4) This is a powerful quote that still till this day is used to commemorate the true highlight of his letter. His meaning behind this quote is that if there’s a slight presence of inequality, then that would contradict the significance of the national anthem; “…liberty and justice for ‘all.’” This gives an emotive response to his audience by giving empathy with a saying similar, to “all for one, one

for all.” Creating the notion of unity. The word choice creates an antithesis to create an emphasis about his purpose of the letter. This gives an outline of what is his style of writing; parallel structure. This gives a concise and
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understanding flow to convey his purpose to his audience. It expresses how unique and critical his writing is, because he could have simply said that justice should be pursued all over the nation to protect true American values. Instead, he chose that structure to make it more important and unforgettable.
He later presents more of a logical and sympathetic statement, which shows how ridiculous it is to call people “outsiders”. King then states, “Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.” (King 3 ¶4). This shows a sense of compassion to others who feel like “outsiders.” He is referring that regardless of wherever that person is from or who they are. They can never be an outcast of American society. Due to the fact that they are within the boundaries of America, not to mention African Americans have devoted to build the United States with their blood, sweat, and tears. It is logical that if someone is within a nation, it would not make sense to call someone an “outsider”. He also gains reliability, by showing his support for the people who consider themselves an “outsider.” His tone sounds assertive by his word choice of “never,” usually because never is such a strong and is used rarely. It is a word that writers should spare it and almost under no circumstances use it often.
To illustrate pathos and logic, “Where were they when Governor Wallace gave the clarion call for defiance and hatred?

Where were their voices of support when tired, bruised and weary Negro men and women decided to rise from the dark dungeons of complacency to the bright hills of creative protest?”(King 12) This conveys a prevailing sense of ignorance and racism from an important political figure, representing the racist people of Alabama. Usually politicians, depending what rank, can reflect what type of people live in the state. He refers “they” as the Christians who believes in the equality for every man, yet paradoxically were

not
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there to support the African Americans in the bad times. Imagery and pathos is shown when the author provides a vivid description of blacks being injured with bruises and exhausted. Then King claims that they’ll rise from the “dark dungeons” to “the bright hill of creative protest,” mentioning that with making tactical protest that are effective, for example boycotting stores from having any customers. To bring inevitable attention to the prejudice happening in Alabama. This proves a fact, that people from Alabama are racist.
In addition, he explains the fact of how white supremacist were not allowing African Americans to vote. King addresses his letter to one of the most important and flourishing cities in the Southern United States; Birmingham, Alabama, which happened to be the most prejudice and segregated state in the U.S. He comments: “Throughout the state of Alabama all types of conniving methods are used to prevent Negroes from becoming registered voters and there are some counties without a single Negro registered to vote despite the fact that the Negro constitutes a majority of the population.” (King 6) Alabama endorsed manipulative methods: Jim Crow laws to prevent the African American community to not be registered to vote, despite the majority of the population being African American. Gov. Wallace came into political power, because of the loss of the African American vote. The quote clearly suggests that there was white superiority in Alabama if there were less Caucasians than blacks. This fits in the logical category, because if broken down he states a real fact that politics were overruled by the whites.
King’s text is remembered as one of the best pieces of writing in the 20th century. Due to his great combination of empathy and respectful approach toward his audience to address a serious problem. Especially because he wrote the letter in solitary confinement. He fell into a depression, due to being isolated from contact with other, yet he still managed to pull off a swift, concise, emotive, logic, trustworthy and inspiring message. He shows that since the abolishment
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of slavery, with the approval of the 13th amendment. There will be hurdles to face on this ongoing war, whether it’s explicit or implicit discrimination and separation. The abuse of African Americans in earlier times has led us to face the legacy of mistreatment society has to offer contemporary times. Thankfully people alike King had the courage to stand up and confront the situation in a keen and careful matter.