Is Phil Robertson the most dangerous man in America? Maybe he is. Two people wrote about an interview he had done with “Gentlemen’s Quarterly.” They were both on very different sides of the question. The people from NAACP disagreed with everything he said, and believed he was a dangerous man. However, Mike Buckley agrees with Phil’s answers. They express their opinions, through tone, factual information, and attitude. Although they have very different opinions on the subject, they are both very passionate about their views and they both have plenty of evidence to support their beliefs. The first text, “Why Phil Robertson is the Most Dangerous …show more content…
They may be a little under-informed on what he said, but they are still offended. NAACP states that, “Mr. Robertson claims that, from what he saw, African Americans were happier under Jim Crow.” They then go on to talk about the “lynching[s] and beatings” of blacks that he did not witness, which they did say from what he saw, but they entirely forgot about that he didn’t witness the bad things, therefore he didn’t know about them. They have their historical facts straight, but use them in a poor, misunderstood way. NAACP was also more sophisticated in the wording of their letter to A&E, unlike the first text, which seemed a little snarky at points. Such as telling the audience to go “look it up” when referring to a bible verse and his obvious distaste towards the Robertsons’ appearance (Buckley). Although the NAACP were slightly biased, they stated their opinions in a polite manner, saying things like, “As you may know [...]” and “His words show an unbridled lack of respect for [...] the ongoing challenges members of our communities continue to
In David Walker’s Appeal, David Walker is completely fed up with the treatment of Black men and women in America at the hands of White people. He is tired of the constant dehumanization, brutality, and utter lack of acknowledgment of all of the contributions Black people made to the building of this country. Walker was extremely skillful in his delivery of his Appeal. He used concrete history and the fact that he had “travelled over a considerable portion of these United States, and having, in the course of my travels, taken the most accurate observations of things as they exist” (Walker) to build his credibility. He used the very things that White Americans held so dear to their hearts to point out the sheer hypocrisy in their actions and way of thinking, mainly the Bible and their political documents.
This letter powerfully persuades his points on why he was in Birmingham, why he acted in a non-violent direct action, why the timing was when it was and that segregation needs to end. He uses this letter in order to persuade the clergymen into understanding his reasons for all the above. He uses logos, pathos and ethos to show the passion behind his cause. This letter opened eyes onto people of that time. Segregation is unjust and that 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. Just as peacefully he had done with the non-violent protest.
Pete Maravich was one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His spectacular moves and awesome footwork helped him to get better everyday. His incredible passes and being able to control the court caused his teammates to like him even more. “His playground moves, circus shots, and hotdog passes were considered outrageous during his era” (NBA Encyclopedia Playoff Edition). His love for basketball was instilled by his father Peter “Press” Maravich.
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
Dr. King effectively expresses why his critics are wrong in a passionate tone. He is extremely zealous about the rights that African-Americans have been neglected to have and should have, as well as everyone else. Mr. King was criticized for his “untimely” actions in Birmingham. “This wait has almost always meant ‘never.’” (King 264) Martin Luther King isn’t just a bystander witnessing the injustice; he is a victim and one of the few who is willing to fight for justice well deserved. His tone also evokes similar passion in the audience. The reader will feel that strong passion and by doing so they will realize that Dr. King does know what he is doing. Since Dr. King is directly affected and is relatable, his writing is able to effortlessly capture his determination and courage. All while having a passionate tone he is able to remain a respectable and calm tone throughout his letter. Dr. King’s tone shifts from brusque to a conciliatory manner. His non-aggressive tone benefits Dr. King’s argument and makes it more effective. If Dr. King had written in an hostile tone, the clergymen would feel attacked and would not want to support his cause....
First MLK tells the clergyman straight up that he disagrees, stating “Before closing I feel impelled to mention one other point in your statement that has troubled me profoundly. You warmly commended the Birmingham police force for keeping “order” and “preventing violence.”” He then proceeds to tell them why they are wrong while almost poking at them for a reaction saying “I doubt that you would have so warmly commended the police force if you had seen its dogs sinking their teeth into unarmed, nonviolent Negroes.” King also uses their religion and calls them out, proving them wrong with examples of their own religion as he first says “In your statement you assert that our actions, even though peaceful, must be condemned because they precipitate violence. But is this a logical assertion?” and moves on through repetitions of questions starting with “isn’t this” too eventually bring up their religion when he states “Isn't this like condemning Jesus because his unique God consciousness and never ceasing devotion to God's will precipitated the evil act of
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.
The Report of King’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” a letter addressing eight Alabama Clergymen, depicts King’s response to their public. During the time King articulated his response, Birmingham Jail had imprisoned him for not following the court order to cease his protests against segregation. In his rebuttal against their public statement King masters the art of an argument. King’s mastery of argument shines through when looking at his capability of addressing every side of an argument, his ability to use analogies, and his easily understandable repetition.
Dr. King’s well-known “Letter from Birmingham Jail," was published in The Atlantic as "The Negro Is Your Brother," and was written on 12 of April, 1963 it was in response to a public statement of concern and caution issued by eight white religious leaders of the South. Dr. King and 58 men had marched down into downtown Birmingham to protest against racism and racial segregation laws of the Jim Crow era. As a result, they were all arrested and put into prison by the police. In his letter, Dr. King tells the clergymen that he is upset about their criticisms, and that he has a good reason for his actions. Dr. King emphasizes that there is a need for justice for the black race because they have been oppressed for a long time, and
William Apess then asks his mostly white audience to reexamine their Christian values along with their prejudices. His essay acknowledges that unless the discrimination and prejudices that plague the white man over the other races disappear, then there won’t be peace in the Union.
In his letter, MLK Jr. uses pathos and literary divices to renforce his argument for civil disobedeance. He uses pathos, quoting "we can never forget that everyting Hitler did in Germany was "Legal"...". He says this to justify that just because something is legal doesn't mean it's right. That just because it's legal to mistreat African Americans, doesn't mean it's right. The example of Hitler and the holocaust being legal further solidifies his point. In his letter, he also uses a metaphor, "...who have concluded that the white man is an incurable "devil"...". This tells how the white people is an evil that can't be treated. The Negro people are constantly haunted by the white people and their
King said, “Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the emancipation proclamation.” He used Lincoln in his speech. Lincoln was one of the most powerful and greatest president we ever had. He participated in the civil war which gained trust of America and established freedom. King is trying to invoke Lincoln because Lincoln brought the civil rights towards America. In addition, he also said, “the negro community must not lead us to the distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny.” He referred to the bible and the bible at this time was really popular because everyone was Christian. He is trying to say that the colored and white community should be living together happily.
Jesse Moncell Bethel was born in New York City, New York on July 8, 1922. He was born to Jesse M. Bethel and Ethel Williams. His father left the home when he was only six months old and his mother died when he was only three and a half years old. Being an orphan now, he was raised by his grandmother in Arkansas. He then moved to Oklahoma where his family sharecropped cotton and cornfields. Bethel attended elementary school while in Oklahoma and later graduated from Booker Washington High School there too. Bethel attended Tillotson College in Austin, Texas. He graduated there with a Bachelors of Science degree in chemistry. He later attended graduate school in 1944 at the University of California Berkley.
He expressed his opinion in an interview for a magazine that is internationally recognized, meaning his beliefs and viewpoints are going to be public. As he is one of the publicly known figures, his reactions and comments regarding racial discrimination is thought to be valuable while the magazine is read by people inside and outside the country. Therefore, any insensitive and unsympathetic statement made about racism and social discrimination could be offensive. For instance, the author of the magazine Charles Blow seems to strongly disagree with Robertson’s comments and finds his explanation dishonorable. Just like Blow, the public specially the Africans Americans might find such behavior disrespectful which apparently play a part in social
...conclusion, I am very troubled by his letter, not because I disagree with any of it, in fact, the opposite. I am troubled, because I don’t understand how my very kin-folks, people whom share my same last name (regretfully) could read such a letter and still continue forward with their persecutions. However, as I read the letter I am encouraged, because I know that both of my grandfathers, who were Baptist ministers, did partake in the fight for justice and equality for the black community. As ministers, a Church, and society, we must always seek to keep MLK’s letter relevant. Dr. Roger Olson, refers to the Letter from Birmingham Jail as a modern day prophecy, this letter is too good and too valuable to collect dust in the archives of history. We, as a church and society, should continually study and reference this letter, often, as it is truly invaluable to us.