The Letter from Birmingham Jail was written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in April of 1963. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of several civil rights activists who were arrested in Birmingham Alabama, after protesting against racial injustices in Alabama. Dr. King wrote this letter in response to a statement titled A Call for Unity, which was published on Good Friday by eight of his fellow clergymen from Alabama. Dr. King uses his letter to eloquently refute the article. In the letter dr. king uses many vivid logos, ethos, and pathos to get his point across. Dr. King writes things in his letter that if any other person even dared to write the people would consider them crazy. Dr. King begins his letter by acknowledging the clergymen who …show more content…
There is no question that racial injustice was most definitely taking place in Alabama, and throughout America. Dr. King uses many other examples like this one. Dr. King explains that they had no other alternatives than to demonstrate and protest against the serious injustices taking place in the United States, especially in the south. In the letter Dr. King states that the white people of Birmingham have left the African Americans with no other alternative. He also states that the city of Birmingham is one of the most segregated cities in the entire United States. Dr. King explains that the African American community in Birmingham had faced unjust treatment with the justice system, and he spoke of unsolved bombings of their homes and churches. “We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and God-given …show more content…
King uses all of these other tools in writing his letter. The most important tool he uses though is an emotional appeal or pathos. Although Dr. King is writing to the clergymen who wrote A Call for Unity, what he writes goes out more than just to the clergymen it is a letter that people read and the words he writes moves the people even some fifty years later. He states in his letter the African Americans, were the victims of a broken promise. Dr. King also says, “Now is the time to lift our national policy from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of human dignity” (King). Reading this makes anyone want to help in some way. Dr. King went even further to say that freedom is not something that is given to the people it is something that must be taken. Dr. King uses words like injustice, oppressed, justice, and disappointment to appeal to the reader’s moral
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote his famous “A Letter from the Birmingham Jail” on April 16, 1963 while he was imprisoned in the Birmingham Jail for being involved in nonviolent protests against segregation. The letter is directed at eight white clergymen from Alabama who were very cynical and critical towards African Americans in one of their statements. Throughout the letter, King maintains an understanding yet persistent tone by arguing the points of the clergymen and providing answers to any counterarguments they may have. In the letter, King outlines the goals of his movement and says that he will fight racial inequality wherever it may be. Dr. King uses the appeal three main rhetorical devices – ethos, logos, and pathos – in order to firmly, yet politely, argue the clergymen on the injustices spoken of in their statement.
The tone set by Dr. King in the part of the letter where he describes “pent-up resentments and latent frustrations,” and where he recognizes the “vital urge” being suppressed, is very passionate. His passion shines through loud and clear. The way Dr. King feels is, in fact, quite clear throughout the entire letter, yet the overriding sense of reason and logic that anyone can relate to is ever apparent. As he describes the unrest he finds in his community, the community as a whole really; he explains that he did not encourage them to “get rid of your [their] discontent” he instead encouraged them to, “make prayer pilgrimages to city hall;… go on freedom rides,… and try to understand why he [they] must do so”; these quotes from the letter point out the ways Dr....
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. First and foremost, King calmly responded to the statement from the clergymen that his non-violent direct action was “unwise and untimely”. King logically does so by describing the situation where the negro leaders tried many times to negotiate with the city fathers to remove racial barriers, but the promises never held true.
It is very poignant of him to write his letter this way. He is in touch with the views of his audience, which makes a greater impact on his readers. Dr. King uses antecdotes to make his readers see the injustice that would continue if there were no changes. It helps his audience to feel that they are a very powerful part of this issue, and that they can make a difference. Dr. King uses imagery in his writing that makes the audience visualize what he has seen.
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.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a pastor, activist, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. Mr. King was a man of honor and respect even in the troubling situations of serving jail time. People who were supposed to support him questioned his actions, Dr. King still stood by what he believed in. In Birmingham, Alabama Dr. King hoped that the white religious leaders will come to his aid but instead found reluctance and opposition. In the “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, Martin Luther King, Jr. refutes his critics claims through the use of passionate tones, metaphors, and allusions.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American Baptist minister and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He wrote the article “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, which was published May 12, 1963 in the New York Post Sunday Magazine. King uses metaphors in the letter to question the audience from a passionate and unpassionate view. Also puts figurative language and a demanding tone to make the audience join his anti-racist movement.
"Martin Luther King Jr.'s letter from Birmingham Jail, which was written in April 16, 1963, is a passionate letter that addresses and responds to the issue and criticism that a group of white clergymen had thrown at him and his pro- black American organization about his and his organization's non- violent demonstrative actions against racial prejudice and injustice among black Americans in Birmingham.
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.
“In spite of my shattered dreams of the past, I came to Birmingham with the hope that the white religious leadership of this community would see the justice of our cause and with deep moral concern serve as the channel through which our just grievances could get to the power structure.” This appeal seems logical enough, the church is typically the first to offer aid and is usually quick to join a cause that benefits mankind. However in the case of Birmingham King said, “But again I have been disappointed.” This is because of the inaction of the southern white church who stood passively as their Christian brethren struggled, this is perhaps the greatest cause of King’s frustration. The idea that Christians would ignore the suffering of those around them was, perhaps, novel to King, who strongly believed in loving thy neighbor as thyself. For him this inaction was possibly similar to a slap in the face, to be ignored by other Christians whom he should have been able to rely on based on principle. King does mention a few noble white churches whom helped in the struggle such as “Reverend Stallings, for your Christian stand this past Sunday in welcoming Negroes to your Baptist Church worship service on a
Martin Luther King Jr begins his essay with “My Dear Fellow Clergyman” in an attempt to form a sense of parity between himself and the men being addressed. More ever, he says that he believes that these criticisms are “sincerely set forth” and the men are “of genuine good”. Through this, he applies a Rogerian tactic, where the writer attempts to find a common ground as an alternative to further dividing the sides. His demonstration of equality due to the inter-connectedness of all people is a central idea of the entire letter. He notes that his “secretaries” can’t answer the amount of tedious “criticisms that cross [his] desk” since “constructive work” requires superior attention. In the informational second paragraph, King, “the president
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
wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail” as a response to a statement by eight fellow clergymen. Martin Luther King Jr.’s tone in the letter starts very restrained and is very calm and gentle. Martin Luther King Jr. uses religion in a very different way compared to both Kennedy and Lincoln. In King 's speech "God"is used to deny the arguments given by the clergymen. Clergymen are arguing that African Americans’ protest should be ordered in a very peaceful and calm way to lead it to negotiation. They are mainly criticizing King and supporting the bigoted police force. King tells there is a sacred reason that he is in birmingham by mentioning there is injustice. He comes up with a very bold quote “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. The quote serves an important role. It justifies why King has come to Birmingham, which is also supported by “Just as the prophets of the eighth century B.C. left their villages and carried their “thus saith the Lord”” (pg 503). It has reference of the “God” and prophets to add more meaning on King’s visit to Birmingham. He also uses “God” to justify the direct actions of African Americans. “Negroes have grossly unjust treatments in the courts” (pg 503) is a one example of showing the social oppression and unequal injustice that African Americans are going through. There are other examples such as humiliating racial signs, bombing in house, and other inhuman acts. He says these acts are against the Christian morality, so the black community is trying to actively improve their situation and surrounding environment. King has been continuously mentioned that the blacks will obey the legal conditions only if it was moral. He uses Hitler and Hungarian Freedom Fighters as example, that “We should never forget that everything Adolf Hitler did in Germany was “legal” and everything that Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was “illegal” (pg 507). He mentions St.Augustine’s quote “an unjust law is no law
Sending a letter to Martin Luther King Jr. was potentially the largest mistake the Eight White Clergymen could have made if they wanted to sustain segregation. They probably did not expect such an eloquent response from an African-American. The letter to King asks him to give up his demonstrations because it only hurts his cause by instigating further hatred and violence. The letter continues on and asks for “...our own Negro community to withdraw support from these demonstrations...” and to instead keep the fight for their rights to the court system and out of the streets. When King replies to this “Call for Unity” he strips the entire letter down and turns it against the authors, making his response over six times longer than the letter. The letter King wrote from Birmingham Jail was a vital turning point in the desegregation movement. If King wasn't arrested then perhaps the letter from the clergymen would have never been authored; however that would also prevent his reply written 24 days prior to the May 10th Birmingham agreement which ended segregation within the city.
When MLK was taken in to custody, he was charged with “parading without a permit”(King), which really means he was doing wrong because it was a parade against segregation. He was holding a peaceful protest on behalf of the people who did not have a voice for themselves, and he was going to stop at nothing to be heard. MLK, while in jail, was receiving criticizing letters from all over about his protest, he never responded to them until he came across one. Eight Alabama clergymen entitled, “A Call For Unity”, which explained that he should be fighting in courts only and not on the street, wrote the letter. When King writes back that taking direct action is the only way to achieve the true civil rights even if it goes against what is morally right.