Martin Luther King Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis

The strain of racial segregation was getting to its boiling point in 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama. After being arrested for his part in the Birmingham Campaign, King wrote rhetorical appeal letter in response to “A Call for Unity”, written by eight white clergymen from Alabama.

Finally, racism was a major theme, and it was even the cause of the letter’s writing. For example, Dr. King said that though “it is unfortunate that so-called demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham at this time, but . . . it is even more unfortunate that the white power structure of this city left the Negro community with no other alternative” (78), describing how it was racism that forced his actions which led him to be jailed. Dr. King further described the immense racism present at the time by noting that “There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than in any other city in this nation” (78).

Martin Luther King in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” argues that “a just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law” (110). King believes that God creates man in his own image, and for that reason King dedicated his life to fight for the equality of all American, and for the civil rights. According to King unfair laws have never had any presence of a single gain in civil rights without legal determination or nonviolent pressure. The support of some laws causes people much displeasure with the constitutional law surrounding abortion. King states the four stages of protesting injustices to black people, which were: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist, negotiation, self-purification, and direct action. These same principles should be applied to protect the babies that have no voice simply because the baby has yet to be born. Anti-abortion protests has been effective because protesters have influenced changes in some state laws which also has created awareness on the topic and has even get more people saying the unborn is a baby instead of a fetus.

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.

During the course of living human being are subjected to many controversial arguments and ethical stations. Education in concept of ethical reasoning and in the fundamentals of the principles are important for one to be skilled in ethical reasoning. Ethical reasoning is a very important element in human nature of living either professionally or individually. Ethical reasoning offers critics with the capability to represent viewpoints, ideas and make judgement. Moreover ethical reasoning enable critics’ to consciously give examination for them to reach a solution that does not harm anybody else. Ethical reasoning can be defined as arguing the wrong and the right of human behavior.

Credibility and ethics are one of the first things noted in King’s letter, and the presentation of it helps the reader to carry on reading the letter with open-mindedness and trust that King will continue to sincerely explain the reasons for the letter and the protest. Also, he establishes his credibility in the second paragraph by responding to the clergymen’s view that he was an outsider coming in. Similarly, King institutes his credibility by revealing that he is the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference which was an organization working in every southern state. Martin Luther King Jr. also appeals to ethos by even stating the clergymen’s views throughout his letter, which, of course embodies the alternative to his views. People have respect and trust for King which is proof of his reliability, as one man writes, “I believe Luther's actions truly reflect his belief that all people should be equal. His actions also show his commitment to the movement and the fact that this man was a leader” (Akerman 1).

Dr. King takes a stance expressing the corruptive issues circling in society. While he addresses the letter to his fellow clergymen, he primarily intends to speak to the public while specifically involving minorities. The minorities are being spoken to directly without being called out by the references and examples that Dr. King chose to use. The simple yet horrifying symbols of the time period such as segregated bathrooms and simply not being able to attend somewhere due to the color of one’s skin was thoroughly represented with the everyday struggles of a minority. Since the references used in the letter relate to the minorities, the majority are then being called out to secondly. The minorities are able to feel that their points are coming

Every immigrant man, woman, or child has a story to tell, whether they travel alone or together, they have a reason to travel and start a new beginning. If a immigrant travels to America from a foreign country, they aren't always treated equally or fairly. Martin Luther King Jr. writes in his essay, "Letter from Birmingham Jail", about various topics regarding equality. Even though King writes about African-Americans and equal rights in America, he's writing about every person who is not welcomed in their country. He would have helped anyone in any country who was treated unfairly, "Had I lived in Germany at the time, I would have aided and comforted my Jewish brothers"(King 227). Immigrants face the same issue that King had to deal with during his time. There are five main issues that prevent immigrants from being accepted; equality, justice, oppression, freedom, and the advantages and disadvantages to allowing immigration.

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.

:"Letter from Birmingham Jail" is a powerful piece of writing that graces the writings by Martin Luther. Part of the power lies in the use of rhetorical devices such as ethos, logos, and pathos in the letter. Luther used these stylistic devices and literary approaches to express his message, intention and express the mood of the letter making a masterpiece like no other letters before.

“”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

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.

In this letter Martin Luther King responds to the criticism he received from several Clergymen which basically articulated that Mr. King should withhold from any further acts of demonstration for the Negro community. Mr. King goes on to explain how although the clergymen feel his actions were “unwise and untimely”, he has taken the proper steps in trying to provide peace among the Negro and white communities. However, he states how the empty promises and absence of change that the Negro community was assured would never actually ensue, leading to Martin Luther King pursuing further and more extreme actions.

40th President Ronald Regan once said that ‘peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means’, --Dr. King certainly proves this to be factual! In Dr. Martin Luther King Junior's "Letter From Birmingham Jail", Dr. King's makes use of logical arguments directed towards the whites, clergymen, and the general public in order to educate the reader about the strategy of nonviolent resistance to racism—and how they are not causing any troubles by nonviolently protesting for racial justice and equality for African Americans. By doing so, Dr. King successfully persuades the reader to understand that what he is doing by nonviolently protesting is justifiable, and that the tension created by these nonviolent forms

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” was a letter written by Martin Luther King Jr. in the year 1963 while he was imprisoned for his protests against the segregation and treatment of black citizens in Birmingham, Alabama. This letter was written in response to the clergyman who criticized Martin Luther King Jr.’s work and presence while he was in Birmingham. The letter was written in a very carefully thought out structure, it involved the statement or opinion of those against the protest [clergyman] followed by Martin Luther King Jr.’s rebuttal and the reason for that specific concern. King also used appeals to emotion and authority to emphasize his point. Although King’s actions and beliefs were a very crucial step in equality his passion and fight continued to be pursued whether it was Vietnam Veterans Against the War who fought for their belief that the war was causing destruction rather than benefitting anyone or the animal rights activists who fight for their beliefs that animals should live freely without abuse or cruelty.