ipl-logo

Letter From Birmingham Jail In The 1960s

448 Words2 Pages

The “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is set in a time of disturbing unrest, caused by racial issues between the blacks and whites of America. The year of 1963 went down as a rough year in the terms of violence, segregation, and living life everyday in an unpeaceful manner. Other than Martin Luther’s letter, many events also happened that shaped history as we have it today. During the months of April through August, Birmingham, AL and other towns had riots, speeches, and civil abruptness. The historical context represented in this time is shown greatly in not only the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” but in the news daily. April 16th, 1963 was the day Martin Luther King Jr. decided to write a letter while being in prison in the Birmingham Jail. He talks about issues that bring up controversy among black and whites during this time period of the 1960’s. It clearly shows the violence and mistreat of people was more harsh than I feel people in this day could imagine. In the letter, Martin Luther declares, “But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sister and brothers at whim..” (90). That is enough said and just one example …show more content…

Corky said speaking on the unrest in Alabama that, “from May 2nd to May 10th 1963, the nation bore witness as police in Birmingham, Ala, aimed high-powered hoses and sicced snarling dogs on black men, women and even children who just wanted one thing- to be treated the same as white Americans (par. 1). May 4th created a light in some people’s minds. The “Connor’s Cops” made the decision to take down “whites only signs” and to make hiring for blacks higher. King describes this time as a “moment of great victory” (par. 4). On August 28th Martin Luther King Jr. I Have a Dream Speech was made. This was, if not one of the greatest speeches ever made to man. It had an impact on so many people in different walks of

Show More
Related

Letter From Birmingham Jail Primary Sources

232 Words | 1 Pages

Others might say all leaders are rebels because they perform illegal actions to get what they want. For example, King, Martin Luther Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail, states, “But I am sure that if I had lived in Germany during this time, I would have aided and comforted my Jewish brothers even though it was illegal.” This means Mr.King would’ve helped unexplored Jews in Hitler 's Germany even if it meant going against the law. This shows Mr.King, a leader representing rebellion as he states he wouldn 't have a problem braking authority. Nevertheless not all leaders are rebels.

Read More

Summary Of Letter From Birmingham Jail

380 Words | 2 Pages

Martin Luther King Jr., who is a civil rights activist, wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail” on April 16, 1963 when he was arrested for being in Birmingham civil rights demonstrations to fight for justice. He wrote this letter to respond to eight white clergymen who criticized his demonstrations as “unwise and untimely” (601). In this letter, he explained the reason and purpose of him being in Birmingham to clarify the criticism. He also mentioned about the basic steps towards any nonviolent campaign that need to go through and describe each steps that they took in Birmingham. Lastly, he distinguished the difference between the two types of laws; just and unjust laws.

Read More

Mlk Letter From Birmingham Jail

254 Words | 2 Pages

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail, which was written in April 16, 1963, is a passionate letter that addresses racial segregation and all the injustices to the black American society. He writes this letter as a response to the eight clergymen, but it also became one of the most influential letters in defense of nonviolent movement ever written. Birmingham was one of the most segregated cities in the country and the most violent. Even after segregation was found to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1954. In Birmingham, white and black Americans were very much separate with “white only” hotels, restaurants, and even bathrooms.

Read More

What Is Mlk's Argument In Letter From Birmingham Jail

333 Words | 2 Pages

In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, Martin Luther King, Jr. is responding to criticism of the peaceful protests and sit-in’s that were taking place in Birmingham, which led to his being arrested and the reason that he was in jail. He first responds to the accusation of being an “outsider” by setting the stage for his being in Birmingham due to being invited because of his ties to the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights organization and due to the fact that he is president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Next, Martin Luther King expands on his moral beliefs that there is “injustice” in the way that Birmingham is “the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States”.

Read More

Rhetorical Analysis Of A Letter From Birmingham Jail

552 Words | 3 Pages

“A Letter from Birmingham Jail” written by Martin Luther King was an extremely influential letter that was articulated and presented into a masterpiece. The most important understanding is the core meaning of the letter that King wrote was emotional, but most of all an argument. On April 12, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. was incarcerated in Birmingham, Alabama, for protesting against the racial segregation that was taking place at the time. Injustice was taking place in Birmingham, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was invited to help and support the protests of this segregated city. King was considered an “outsider” for doing such actions.

Read More

How Does King Show Racial Tension In Letter From Birmingham Jail

352 Words | 2 Pages

Riddled with racial tension and a lack of equal rights, the 1950-60s exposed the truth behind segregation. In a letter written by Doctor Martin Luther King, “Letter from Birmingham Jail” King attacks the idea of racial inequality, and exposes the plights met by black families and individuals. In this letter, King uses excellent examples of imagery to show the racial discrimination being experienced. During this time of discrimination, the struggle for racial equality was prevalent, and extremely brutal. Given the circumstances of this time, discrimination turned into violence due to racial motivation.

Read More

Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter From Birmingham Jail

561 Words | 3 Pages

The year of 1963 was a hard time for Martin Luther King Jr. and the black community, as they faced brutal violence and heavy segregation.

Read More

Summary Of Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham Jail

895 Words | 4 Pages

In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. led a peaceful movement in Birmingham, Alabama. The purpose of the demonstration was to bring awareness and end to racial disparity in Birmingham. Later that night, King and his followers were detained by city authorities. While in custody, King wrote the famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” This letter voiced out his disappointment in the criticisms, and oppositions that the general public and clergy peers obtained.

Read More

Dr. Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham Jail

1002 Words | 5 Pages

On April 12, 1963, eight clergymen wrote an open letter, “A Call for Unity”. In this published letter, the clergymen expressed their strong disapproval of the civil rights demonstrations taking place in Birmingham, Alabama. That same day, civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested for protesting without a permit. In his short eleven-day jail sentence, Dr. King directly responded to the clergymen with a letter of his own. In his letter, Dr. King informed his readers about the protests in Birmingham.

Read More

Summary Of A Letter From Birmingham Jail

979 Words | 4 Pages

A Letter from Birmingham Jail Summary In “A Letter from Birmingham Jail” (1963) Martin Luther King Jr. states who he is, why he is in Birmingham, and that action is needed in response to the letter “A Call for Unity” signed by eight clergymen. He felt the need to respond to them because they were “men of good intentions” but don’t understand the brutality in Birmingham or why the Southern Christian Leadership Conference took direct action. King talks about how he would have rather negotiated; but when no action is taken from the negotiation the direct action gets the white moderates attention to negotiate as they call him an “extremist”; which king felt was a little out reached because its apart of our civil rights. Informing the clergymen

Read More

Letter From Birmingham Jail By Martin Luther King Jr.

957 Words | 4 Pages

“Letter from Jail” On April 16, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a letter to the eight clergymen while he was incarcerated. Dr. King wrote this letter to address one of the biggest issues in Birmingham, Alabama and other areas within the United States. The “Letter from Birmingham Jail” discussed the great injustices that were happening during that time towards the black community. Dr. King wanted everyone to have the same equal rights as the white community, he also went into further details about the struggles that African Americans were going through for so many years, which he felt like it could change. Martin Luther King Jr’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, expressed his beliefs and his actions about the Human Rights Movement.

Read More

Analysis Of Martin Luther King Letter From Birmingham Jail

1522 Words | 7 Pages

King believed that if he could just go to Birmingham, and protest non-violently, that he could make a difference. On April 16, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. was imprisoned, in Birmingham, for protesting the civil rights of Black Americans. While in jail, he began writing a letter addressing the clergymen. His main audience in writing this letter was to the eight clergymen who criticized his actions and also the majority of the population as well. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail”, argues that injustice

Read More

Theme Of Injustice In Letter From Birmingham Jail

829 Words | 4 Pages

Injustices in Birmingham While sitting in the Birmingham jail in 1963, Martin Luther King Jr., writes a powerful and emotional letter to the clergymen of Birmingham. In his letter, he responds to the harsh criticism and injustices he received for simply protesting peacefully without a permit. King states in his letter, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

Read More

How Does King Use Anaphora In Letter From Birmingham Jail

1332 Words | 6 Pages

During a time of violence, segregation, and racism, few people had the courage to speak out against it. Few people had the bravery to go against what the masses believed, and fewer had the authority to do so. One of these few people was Martin Luther King Jr. and one of the ways in which he spoke out was through a letter written while imprisoned. King was imprisoned by Bull Connor, a police chief in Birmingham, Alabama in the 1960’s for not having a license to parade or protest. While in jail, King received a letter written by eight Alabama clergymen who pleaded for African Americans to stop protesting and wait for segregation to happen on its own.

Read More

The I Have A Dream Speech By Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

160 Words | 1 Pages

On August 28, 1963, a speech was given by Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist preacher and a doctor, he was also an African American male who wanted his four children to have freedom. His speech took place in front of the Lincoln Memorial to make a bigger statement then just standing on the street stating that African Americans needed to be treated equal to whites. This speech is known as the “I Have a Dream”, this moment was the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. African Americans were supposed to be free for over 100 years because of Abraham Lincoln signing his Emancipation Proclamation, but never they received full freedom.

Read More

More about Letter From Birmingham Jail In The 1960s

Related Topics

Open Document