Analysis Of Martin Luther King Letter From Birmingham Jail

When it comes to racism, any person of any skin color or ethnic background can commit the immoral act of racism. However, as shown in Dr. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” it is often African Americans who have prejudices held against them. This is true today as well as around 55 years ago when “Letter” was written. King’s response letter to the critiques of eight clergymen was able to assume “a multitude of perspectives.”(Patton 1) Dr. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” is effective at convincing the audience of the urgency and necessity of the Civil Rights Movement because he uses his own credibility as a Reverend, addressing the religious men and others of the white majority who do not believe his cause is justified, and

In this essay, I will be writing my perspectives and my interpretations of Dr. King's writing, “Letter From A Birmingham Jail”.

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” is written by Martin Luther King Jr. from the Birmingham jail after he was imprisoned for being a participant in a nonviolent campaign against segregation. It was written in regards to the statement made by the white clergymen of the South. He employs rhetorical devices in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” to develop the central idea of how action can no longer be delayed in regards to the oppression of the African American community by appealing to the white clergymen. King makes several sub-claims to support this central idea emphasizing that the need for action is now.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was imprisoned in Birmingham jail because of his contribution and participation in nonviolent demonstrations opposing the segregation championed by the southern leaders. The essay explores his longhand letter in response to civic statement of alarm and threats from the letter written by white religious leaders.

Every writer needs an inspiration to craft a brilliant literary piece. Whether this inspiration is tangible or intangible, it is still necessary. Some forms of inspiration come as passionate love while others appeal as injustice. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" was a response to "A Call for Unity" by eight white clergymen. His inspiration for writing the letter was the clergymen's unjust proposals and the letter allowed him to present his rebuttal. Martin Luther King Jr. effectively crafted his counter argument by first directly addressing his audience, the clergymen, and then using logos, pathos, and ethos to refute his opponent's statements and present his own perspective.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested on April 16, 1963 he wrote a letter to fellow clergymen about his present at Birmingham. Dr. King in the first two pages uses biblical reference to impact why he is compelled to protest of the mistreatment of African-American. As to King state that he has organizational ties, as he was asked to come to Birmingham and, was giving a nonviolent protest. Also he says “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” Dr. King is saying if injustice is done by anyone it can be done to everyone. King also express that peaceful demonstrations create attention rather than the attention to the Negro community. Dr King conveys that “There has been more unsolved bombings at Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than in any city in the nation” King expresses why it was a necessity for him to be there and conveys that leaders sought to negotiate with city officials but negotiations were never engaged. City officials can't even make good faith resolutions with the priests to ensure equality in the Negro community.

In his essay “Letter from Birmingham Jail” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was addressing some fellow clergy-man that were questioning his actions that landed him in the Birmingham jail. In this letter Dr. King expressed several values that were worth giving his life for. He, masterfully, supported these values using Scriptural and secular examples. I will discuss only two of the values: Righteous Justice and Peaceful Action.

A long time ago before he had a "dream", Martin Luther King Jr., taught many minorities how to be brave and soldier on through the words of God. He made him self aware of religion and politics in order to ensure he could lead the people to triumph through peace showing he was educated, knowing what needed to be done in order to help fix segregation. His article "Letter from Birmingham Jail," proved that though he was such a strong figure in American society many had no idea he was way more to American history and segregation other than his I had a dream speech. He was revered in American Society because he saw the need to be the change that society at the time needed. Through his vast knowledge of religion, politics and the people

Fighting for freedom is fighting a war where there are no treaties or compromises. Yet the bloody truth is that in the end there is only one victor. In the Letter from Birmingham Jail Martin Luther King Jr. eloquently brings to the forefront of the readers mind that not only is it time for this particular war, but it is long pass due. The brutal truth of this letter written in the margins of a newspaper spun from a web of lies shows the need for action in the aspect of freedom and prosperity. Not only does King rally together a group of people with the many allusions to how past always repeats itself but the indispensable references to authorities that effect everyone and the heart wrenching use of pathos keep the reader enticed to go onto

Dr. Martin Luther King wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in response to seven clergymen who misinterpreted peaceful protests by the Southern Christian Leadership. Dr. King, being the president of the Southern Christian Leadership, organized these peaceful protests for part of the black community of Alabama, which were desperate for change. King’s definitive goal for his letter to the clergymen was to explain what he, and majority of the blacks in Alabama, were experiencing. He wanted to give them insight on the actuality of the amount of oppression received by blacks from whites, including the police officers that were ultimately supposed to enforce legal equality. The clergymen claimed that Dr. King and his colleagues were outsiders that had no real business in Birmingham, Alabama. In King’s response, he counters by stating the reason for his appearance. He states that he was invited to Birmingham by the Alabama Christian Movement, on behalf of the African Americans that resided there. He went to Birmingham to confront the racial injustices that lived there. He and his associates had peaceful marches and sit-ins in order to gain the attention of the white community; however, their gatherings and protests, not approved by the city, were unpermitted, thus against the law. King acknowledges that they were breaking a law, but the fact that blacks were being so mistreated by whites caused him to make the sacrifice of disregarding that unjust law in order to gain the oppressor’s attention. He also argues that people of color should be able to have a peaceful protest, and should be supported by the rest of the community because they are protesting equality and justice. Dr. King argued that the Birmingham government failed to compromise with the African American community on rights that they were very much entitled to. After witnessing this firsthand, he acknowledged the clergymen to clarify his intentions, as well as to address the amount of obvious oppression that blacks were forced to face.

“”Wait!" It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. This "Wait" has almost always meant "Never." We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that “justice too long delayed is justice denied."” Martin Luther King Jr. has sought justice and equality for African Americans, those trapped within injustice, through peaceful protests and campaigns. During a time of racism and segregation, he was a key figure in the American civil rights movement. On April 16, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. sent the “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”, while incarcerated in jail, in response to the criticism that many of the white clergymen had heaped upon the peaceful campaigns and, indirectly, the work that Martin Luther King Jr. had

Topic: Read Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” (in your Nexus book) and Brent Staples’s “Black Men and Public Space.” What do these works say about racism, prejudice, and bias? Have we made any progress in these areas since their publication? What problems do you still see and what solutions can you offer?

Throughout history, there have been many significant documents and speeches that enlighten and inform us on what is and was happening during those times. Abraham Lincoln’s speech, The Perpetuation of our Political Institutions, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s Letter from Birmingham Jail are two important pieces of history. In Lincoln’s speech he speaks about the dangers of slavery in the United States and warned everybody that people who disrespected American laws could destroy the United States. On the other hand, Martin Luther King Jr. defended the strategy of nonviolent resistance to racism, and argued that people have a moral responsibility to break unjust laws. Based on these facts, Martin Luther King Jr does not agree with Lincoln’s counsel.

Martin Luther King junior’s letter from the Birmingham jail is a letter that is peculiar and consequently, it attracts the attention of many readers. Having written it in the year 1963 while Luther was serving his jail term after being arrested for parading without a permit from the local authorities, the author had applied writing styles that made it seem more of literature than a mere letter (King, 2012:177). This paper will discuss the contents of Luther’s letter and the reasons why it remains relevant in the modern setting of our civilized society.

After being arrested in Birmingham on Good Friday of 1963 for his participation in a peaceful anti-segregation march, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote “A Letter From Birmingham Jail” which later became one of his most famous pieces of writing. His letter is a response to the criticism demonstrated by eight prominent white clergymen. These clergymen accused King of civil disobedience and using severe measures that provoke hatred and violence, and advised all those who were in support of King and his demonstrations to withdrawal.