Analysis Of Reverend Edward K. Braxton's Speech

“Black lives matter,””White lives matter,””All lives matter” are proclamations manufactured by numerous anti-racism organizations today. Failing to squander racism, the United States continues to make bounds towards racial equality. Preceding the American Revolution racism plagued the world and continues to corrupt the world today. Today activist comparable to Martin Luther King, Jr. continue to combat racism and seek an end, to all, racism. In effort to clear the obfuscated minds of the clergymen King stains Letter from a Birmingham Jail with pathos, allusion, and antithesis to explain the cruel, unjust , harsh reality of the world in the time.

In “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. resolutely responds to eight clergymen who question his methods of protest against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. Specifically, in paragraphs 12-14, Dr. King explains why his protests are indeed being done in a timely manner to obtain the “constitutional and God-given rights” (A Portable Anthology, page 207) that Africans have been restricted of for over 340 years. Dr. King’s argument, combined with his strategic use of rhetorical devices to enhance it, helps create a palpable feeling of understanding that captivates the audience into seeing America through his vision.

The Annual Address, written by Joseph Jackson, discusses the issues regarding discrimination and racism. It was written and delivered at the 84th Annual Session of the National Baptist Movement. Although persuading the audience is not challenging, having knowledge of what one is talking about, making personal connections, and having a good reputation as a writer or a speaker may not only persuade the audience, but empower and inspire, just like how Jackson writes his Annual Address. Jackson goes beyond thinking inside the box and effectively connects with the audience emotionally and establishes trust through his reputation as a black activist in order to argue to fight for equality and

Well known speaker, writer, and so much more, Martin Luther King Jr., in his letter, Letter from Birmingham Jail, provides a powerful and insightful look into what it is like being a black person during the time when America was in a battle, so to speak, against segregation. Kings purpose is to provide his readers, eight clergymen whom called his actions “unwise and untimely” (King 800), with an insight on what it is like trying to make a change in the world through peaceful negotiation but continually getting little to no result. He provides a compelling tone in order to gain the sympathy of the eight clergymen he was as addressing along with all his present and even future readers.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “A Letter From Birmingham Jail,” depicts the fight for equality by African Americans during the civil rights movement. In this letter, King uses tone, rhetorical questions, and allusions to discuss the racial segregation sweeping the nation. King’s letter is a response to “A Call For Unity,” a condemning message written by eight white clergymen who frowned upon the peaceful protests conducted by many African Americans. Although Dr. King is presently seen as an American hero, during the civil rights movement he was simply seen as just another negro attempting to break the social norm. “A Letter From Birmingham Jail,” counters the arguments made by the clergymen in a very effective way by appealing to their

His letter built up a defense that was well thought out, respectful, peaceful, and nearly impossible for the Clergymen to disagree with. Considering the recent chaos of widespread racial hate crime in the United States, King’s words of wisdom from this piece could come in handy today. Currently, King’s call for peaceful intervention for racial equality is being forgotten and drowned out by violence and mayhem; but if only all could look back on his words and use them to view society today, maybe they could spread equality like King did. King’s message to the Alabama clergymen still stands true today: justice for all cannot be held until all strongly support each

In “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King, Jr. refutes the condemnatory claims made by eight white Alabama clergymen. By appealing to ethos, logos, and pathos King argues that he is not an outsider and that the experience of African Americans in segregated Birmingham warrants well-intentioned demonstration and civil disobedience. In doing so, he calls attention to the clergymen’s hypocrisy and firmly garners their respect and understanding.

Unlike DiAngelo’s White Privilege essay, a group of religious authorities under the umbrella of Christian Churches Together in the U.S.A. wrote a response letter to Dr. Reverend King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” First quoting a portion of Dr. King’s letter then responding to the quote, the group takes a Biblical stance on the racial issues that continue to preside in modern day American culture. Beginning the essay, the group differentiates between merely acting upon the symptoms of racism. “... (a) superficial kind of social analysis…” and discovering and fixing the root of the racial. By investigating the racial issues at hand and striving towards Dr. King’s dream of a community of equal opportunities for all races, then the conversation of racial inequality can begin. Realizing that fostering a multiracial community centered around radical love that forsakes “safety of our social order,” we, as the Christian body need to develop a society that eliminates the social prejudices currently penetrate into every aspect of

Martin Luther King Jr. wrote this letter to defend the actions of his organization. The letter addresses the clergymen by replying to them in that letter , he also addresses the white moderates that sympathize with King but don’t do anything to stick up for the black community. While jailed for standing up for what he believed in and moral standing, King had time to address criticism and time to clarify the purpose of the movement. Marting Luther King Jr. addressed the attemps at negations and how the movement came to the point of taking action with protests and sit-ins. King experiences first hand brutality from officrs and the bias aplication of the law, he felt the desperate need for change and the anger amongst the blacks. Negations were attempted but the agreemnts of removing the negative signs display around business were ignored, governments only wanted to silence the problem and not try to solve it. Anger and frustrations built by the disconnected white church, privileged classes and criticisms with lack of understanding. King knew the anger would eventually lash out and rather use that energy by peacefully protesting before it turned into viokence. In this letter King presented his belief with logic, history, facts and why things must and will change.

Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly” (King 1). Martin Luther King, Jr. established his duty as a leader to be in Birmingham, first for organizational ties, and second, because the injustice in Birmingham indirectly affected African Americans everywhere. Additionally, Osborn addressed the way Dr. King was titled in the response from the clergymen. “The statement to which King was responding, signed by eight leaders representing various religious faiths, had in fact not even mentioned him or acknowledged his identity as a pastor, certainly not as an equal” (26). This excerpt examined the fact that although the target of the clergymen’s letter was apparent, the men remained so adamantly immoral that they refused to even slightly regard Reverend King as an equal. This disgrace has no obvious effect on Mr. King, for he introduces himself as an equal, despite the opinions of the clergymen. “Thus, from the outset, King asserts his identity and claims his seat at their table, whether welcome or not . . . .” (Osborn 26). Through careful placement of adjectives here and there, King efficiently labels himself as an equal. “I also hope that circumstances will soon make it possible for me to meet each of you, not as an integrationist or a civil rights leader, but as a fellow clergyman and a Christian brother” (7). The words “fellow clergyman” and “Christian brother,” especially, help Dr. Martin Luther King,

King criticizes, “the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as irrelevant social club…” (King 58). This statement warns the church to make a difference or it will become irrelevant. This draws fear, as the phrase “judgment of God” refers to God’s wrath and the consequences placed upon those who cause injustice. By calling the Church, “an irrelevant social club,” King criticizes the church for becoming a club where people joke rather than follow Christ’s word. Lastly, King uses pathos by describing the injustice done to African Americans during their peaceful protests, “I don’t believe you would have so warmly commended the police if you had seen its angry violent dogs literary biting six unarmed, nonviolent Negroes”(King 59). This example awakens emotion, and urges the reader to help those in need.

Martin Luther King Jr. compassionately responds to eight criticizing clergymen in “Letter from Birmingham Jail”. Refuting the opposition posed by the catholic church, King retorts in a non-confrontational manner, raising many topics to defend his nonviolent protest. King utilizes his time in jail to accurately represent the African American perspective, and the struggles that motivate them.

American Baptist minister and civil right activist, Martin Luther King Jr., wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail” (1963), argues in response to a public statement of concern made by eight white religious leaders of the South. Martin Luther King Jr. illustrates how racism in the United States has prevented African Americans the right to be treated equally in society, and uses examples of the brutality African Americans faced and that would continue if there were no changes made. King’s purpose of the letter is to open the eyes of the white moderates to the changes needed to make the United States a fair and equal place for everyone to live, regardless of race. King uses a persuasive, respectful tone to show the clergymen and interested civilians that his view is logical. In this paper, I will analyze the use of logos and pathos to increase the credibility of King’s argument.

In the introduction of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” King responds to the clergymen’s criticism about his non-violent actions in Birmingham as “unwise and untimely” As he justifies why his actions were not “unwise or untimely” King addresses the bigger issue of blacks suffering from racism and lack of equality and the need to take action for justice. To convey his arguments King uses quotations, allusions and pathos to effectively support his argument and to carefully refute what his opposition is saying. Throughout his piece, King uses quotes said by famous historical figures to support his central claim that black oppression needs to be addressed. King quotes St. Augustine, a highly respected religious figure, “an

Grace and restraint, two qualities largely absent from our current public discourse, are passionately exhibited in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” Dr. King, jailed for participating in Birmingham protests, writes the letter in response to members of the local white clergy who have characterized his activities as “unwise and untimely” (paragraph 1). Beginning by explaining that he has traveled to Birmingham because it rife with injustice he proclaims, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (paragraph 4). Birmingham has proven itself to be a haven for segregation and racial brutality and his repeated attempts to negotiate with city leaders have been futile, leaving direct action or nonviolent protests