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Summary Of Letter From Birmingham Jail

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The “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was written by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963. He wrote this essay in jail after he was arrested for protesting at a lunch counter for segregation. The purpose of this essay was to respond to a statement made by eight clergy members that declared his actions in the fight for equal rights as “unwise and untimely”. In this essay Martin Luther King Jr. made sure that he remained calm and wrote down his response that would remind the men how wise and just he was. His word choice was one that expressed his thoughts and emotions in great detail and allowed the reader to experience the pain that he has felt for his entire life. Even though King’s words are wise and well put together that allow the reader to experience …show more content…

Throughout this topic Martin explained the right he and his followers had to disobey the laws set by the government. He started off by clarifying the fact that there are just and unjust laws. Just laws are laws that agree with moral laws or god’s law. These are laws that treats people equally and acts as a law that everyone should follow. Unjust laws are laws that go against or disagree with god’s law. After defining this clear difference between laws, Martin then went on to explain why the law they went against was right. Because the law set a segregation between the people, it created unfair treatment towards a certain set of the population making it an unjust law. Unjust laws are allowed to be disobeyed to show that you still support …show more content…

King believed that he was in the middle of those involved in this fight on segregation. He saw some Negros believed it was not worth the fight and simply adjusted to segregation, and the others were so fed up with the system that they developed a violent hatred to the whites. He was not an extremist because in fact he was the very middle of the situation with a view that they should attain equality, but do so in a nonviolent way. While explaining the difference between the true characteristics of extremist and whether or not that should be counted as a terrible trait, King added the point that it is not about whether or not we are extremist, but if we are extremist for hat or for

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In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Dr. King professes his disappointment with the white moderates for calling him an extremist for his schemes. At first, in paragraph 27, King does not deny the fact-by using anaphora- that there are some Negros who “advocate violence”, but he also asserts that there are even more for “nonviolent protest”(King 28). In making this comment, King urges for people to look at his acts of nonviolent protesting . Indeed the insignificant amount of violence will be more looked upon than the nonviolence; however, there are numerous acts nonvilence that should surpass this. Additionally, in paragraph 31, King states how at first he despised the label but then “gained [...] satisfaction” from it.

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Martin Luther King Jr.’s primary purpose in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is to justify his presence and involvement in the peaceful protests taking place in Birmingham as well as to condemn the world of unjust segregation and racism. By employing logos continuously in his writing, King develops and contributes to his position in support of peaceful protests and direct action programs that are meant to bring to African Americans the “unalienable rights” that they are being denied. He writes the letter in 1936 from his prison cell in Birmingham jail, replying to a public letter written by several clergymen. His well-thought written logic appeals to the intended audience but also indirectly addresses the divided nation.

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539 Words | 3 Pages

In the letter,” Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King responds to eight clergymen who harshly criticize his movement in Birmingham. He explains to them why he got involved in the segregational affairs of Birmingham, his non-violent direct action approach on segregation, and in general his beliefs on segregated America. As a person of a non-white race I commend Martin Luther King Jr. on his actions and bravery in the Civil Rights Movement. Due to his diligence, today I can say that I can enter whatever restaurant of my choice and go to school with children that are white or black. This letter allows me to see more than words on paper, but imagery of the struggle and pain of those who fight against unjust laws.

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544 Words | 3 Pages

Just laws apply to everyone, but unjust laws do not apply to everyone. So segregation laws are unjust. He also use example to show that some law can be just on paper, but applied unjustly. Therefore, we must break unjust laws because that shows the highest respect for

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555 Words | 3 Pages

In the letter from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr addresses his audience by defining what qualifies an action or law to be just and unjust. He describes a just law as a “code that squares away with the moral law or the law of God” (King). Then he describes the unjust law as being “a code that is out of the harmony with the moral law” (King). Kings definitions compare well with the dictionary definitions because both agree that just laws are based on a moral code. He uses the strategy of examples and counter examples in order to define both of the words and give his audience a clear understanding of their meaning.

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2081 Words | 9 Pages

In the article “Letter from Birmingham Jail” Martin Luther King Jr. responds to clergymen who described his civil rights activities as “unwise and untimely”. Dr. King argues that while just laws should be obeyed, unjust laws aren’t binding because they go against decent morality and they degrade human lives. He explains the three-hundred-year struggles by African Americans to gain their basic rights and responds to criticism of being an extremist for trying to force change on this matter. Ultimately his reasoning is that those attempting to find a resolution to the injustice and unequal laws of the land should not be punished if they are doing so nonviolently, even if they break some just laws. I argue in favor of this idea that unjust laws

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1040 Words | 5 Pages

In his argument, he says that any law that restores and lighten are just laws, and anything that corrupts or are treats people without respect are immoral. After giving his argument he concludes that segregation is something morally wrong. He is giving all this argument because he is trying to tell authority that he is a good normal citizen. He wants and will follow the just laws, and he also thinks laws are something essential for a world to function. Although he still has already proven his point, he starts to get into the philosophical principle of breaking the laws.

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830 Words | 4 Pages

How was it alright during Nazi Germany to kill jews or in America for white policeman to kill blacks, but illegal to help jews out from being killed or illegal for blacks to be in the same place as whites? In “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King Jr. responds to the clergymen’s statement that King’s actions have been “unwise and untimely” (377). King was a brilliant activist that motivated many to stand up for their rights but many tried stopping him. While fighting for desegregation King was put in jail for parading without a permit. During his incarceration, he wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail” so that he could further explain his actions towards fighting for freedom.

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It is evident that Martin Luther King refers to the meaning of unjust law in order to

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957 Words | 4 Pages

Dr. King wanted to end segregation and he also wanted equal rights for everyone, but he was told by the clergyman that the movement was “unwise” and “untimely”. King explained that there will never be a right time for change in this society with bringing equality and justice to us all. Dr. King was told several times to wait, which prolonged his protest and marches. King became frustrated because people were being mistreated and judged everyday based off the color of their skin. Dr. King felt that segregation was wrong, and he refused to sit back and do nothing.

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564 Words | 3 Pages

While incarcerated in Birmingham jail, Martin Luther King Jr. proposes that there are two types of law. He states that a law can either be just or unjust, and that morals and religious ideals are what determine a just or unjust law. This seems to be a very simple concept to grasp, but Martin Luther King Jr. delves deeper and provides examples. He states that laws concerned with the betterment of human personality are considered just, while anything degrading human personality would be an unjust law. He goes on the say that segregation is a clear example of an unjust law the destroys human personality,and even states that segregation is a sinful act of separation.

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2074 Words | 9 Pages

King brought forth law enforcement, the civil rights movement, and speaks about how it was unjust and just. “An unjust law is a code that a numerical or power majority group compels a minority group to obey but does not make binding on itself. This is difference made legal” (King, 15). An unjust law is simply unfair; it’s a voting criterion and may not be right. [A] just law is a code that a majority compels a minority to follow and that it is willing to follow itself.

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657 Words | 3 Pages

For example, King used metaphors, similes, first person and second person. King goes on and on using vast rhetorical devices. If read out loud and presented on the screen, as it was being read out. You would see for yourself. The many colors will be revealed of all the devices used.

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1721 Words | 7 Pages

In the eyes of Martin Luther King Jr., Justice within a society is achieved through the implementation of just laws. Furthermore, “just laws are regulations that have been created by man that follow the laws of God for man” (“Clergymen’s Letter”). Any law that does not correspond with the ideals of God and morality are considered to be unjust or a form of injustice. King identifies that injustice is clearly evident within the justice system. This injustice can truly be seen through the misconduct imposed toward the African American community.

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825 Words | 4 Pages

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. states, "it is rather strange and paradoxical to find us consciously breaking laws;" this statement corresponds with Dr. King Jr.  agreeing with St. Augustine’s statement that "an unjust law is no law at all." In 1954 during the

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