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Encounter With Martin Luther King Jr. By Maya Angelou

1016 Words5 Pages

By Martin Luther King. was a brave man who fought like a lion against many who supported racism and segregation, Martin Luther King also had a soft place for everyone, even despite their social or economic status. In the story of Encounter with Martin Luther King Jr. by Maya Angelou, we see how an intimidating person could have a kind heart towards not only those who were high in society, but those who were suffering immensely, regardless of race. This short story also provides analysis into how someone can go through hard things, and have the strength to endure hardships when they are motivated by the right thing. The story further teaches us that to endure hardships, one must stay optimistic, respect others and not be blinded by rage, and boldly stand …show more content…

This happens when Angelou describes her brother, Bailey, to King. Bailey is in jail and in a deprived state. King expounded the following in response, “We must save the Baileys of the world. Never give up on him. Never deny him the truth. And remember, he is freer than those who hold him in bars” (Angelou 263). This last sentence shows King’s recognition of a person who has much more potential than those who hold him. He is optimistic and hopeful to see him change, and free others who are captive. He further clarifies “And remember, we are not alone”. There are a lot of good people in this nation. White people who love the right and are willing to stand up and be counted” (Angelou 264). When hardships came in regards to unfair treatment against other people, King stayed optimistic. This allowed him to work with others, and know that despite the oppression, there would always be a glimmer of hope and righteousness. King recognised that there would always be good people that would fight for what was right.. This is a valuable lesson that society can learn. Many unfortunately give up far too easily, and do not see the good in

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On page 1 of “Letters From Birmingham Jail”, King appeals to his audience by stating, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. The words “injustice” and “justice” provide contrasting ideas to emphasize its prevalence. This maneuver is used to appeal to the emotions of those that are not regularly met with injustice. The purpose of this is to induce a sense of guilt and fear to those who float comfortably and quietly amidst the recurring acts of injustice victimizing the black community of Birmingham and across the country. This rhetorical maneuver is aimed at to those who “sit idly” and turn the other cheek when injustice occurs to others.

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And in order for the activists to make a change against the discrimination in the South, they need to struggle and sacrifice, not sit idly by and twiddle their thumbs. King also claims that his cause is not a bad one, and that he is in fact the middle ground. King reasons that if he wasn’t there and taking action, there would be more violence

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Even after 340 years, the word “wait” is still a familiar ring in the Negroes’ ears. As a matter of fact, from the publishing of this letter, it was nearly 100 years since the Emancipation Proclamation, the document signed by President Abraham Lincoln, stating the freeing of slaves throughout the United States. Even with the slavery abolishment in 1864, the Negroes still must “wait” for their rights of equality. The main point King is exclaiming through this section of the letter is “why wait?”

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The United States of America was not always as free as it claimed to be. For instance, black people were once subject to segregation and discrimination. As the leader of the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, “Letter from Birmingham Jail” to respond to his fellow clergymen and their statements that criticized the demonstrations that put him in the jail cell he was writing from. All in all, King’s letter sheds light on the struggles against racial inequality through the persuasive styles of ethos, pathos, and logos. Judging from his letter from Birmingham jail, it is obvious that Martin Luther King Jr. is living in a time of racial inequality and discrimination.

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King was inspiring person who change lives. The body of his work is something another man, may not achieve. He was isolated in cell with limited supply to create this letter. But perhaps, such a setting made his work seem all the more impressive due to the fact that his words were able to reach out and affect so many out there outside the unforgiving bars confining him. Martin Luther king uses several strategies to argue that all me should be treated equal.

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Yet that was over 50 years ago, and many people only see him as benefactor of the past and not a source of relevancy to their current lives. Today in 2016, we still struggle with inequalities rooted in prejudice, hostilities and fear. For example, black people not only make up a good source of the incarcerated population, but they are jailed at several times the rate of whites. Studies also prove that Black people are more likely to be shot by cops. However, King states that “freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed”, (Letter from Birmingham Jail, 1963).

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King passionately worked for a society where his children would not be judged by their race “but by the content of their character,” which impactfully and emotionally expresses what the world could look like without segregation (King). Also, the brutality of racism caused African Americans to be “stripped of their selfhood,” and because of this, all activists will not be satisfied until equal justice is given to all (King). Through the moving pathos usages, King paints a picture of the society he dreams about, in which African Americans live equally with white people, with this equality will come social development and will create a better future where all people can share their thoughts openly without any preventions. Although brutal segregation dived the deep south, the prejudices also played an integral role in fueling the fire of activism that burned in activists’ hearts as the urgency and tensions lived on in the South. Moreover, Martin Luther King had a beautiful dream of an equal society that he passionately dreamt and tirelessly strived to achieve regardless of the almost hopeless

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Yet, King does not display any hatred. His overall tone is passionate, assertive, and respectful. King has so much love for the people willing to support his cause, and the agony that they suffer will not go unnoticed. “I don't believe you would have so warmly commended the police force if you had seen its angry violent dogs literally biting six unarmed, nonviolent Negroes. I don't believe you would so quickly commend the policemen if you would observe their ugly and inhuman treatment of Negroes here in the city jail; if you would watch them push and curse old Negro women and young Negro girls; if you would see them slap and kick old Negro men and young boys, if you would observe them, as they did on two occasions, refusing to give us food because we wanted to sing our grace together.”

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He places the strong authority of the declaration on his side to show how the American people are in contradiction to their own “sacred obligation” and the Negros have gotten a “bad check.” A metaphor representing the unfulfilled promise of human rights for the African Americans. King skillfully evokes an emotional response from all races with the use of religion: “Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” By doing this he finds a common ground that brings black and whites closer with a common belief in God they share, as well as the mention of

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King also states “[t]here will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights.”, in this King informs everyone that the equal rights movement will not give up and will persevere until they are granted their rights that they were promised. King also explains that it would be detrimental for America to ignore the importance and determination of the movement. King uses these phrases to empower the movement and forewarn the opposers of the coming “... whirlwind revolt ...” to “... shake the foundation of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” (600), this message being central to his point of equal justice and equal rights, for everyone, which I believe gave the movement a boost in strength and endurance to power through adversity and gain the suffrage and rights they

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