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Summary Of Letter From Birmingham Jail

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is considered as one of the most influential Civil Rights activists during the twentieth century in a period of prejudices and racism were still prevalent. King fought against discrimination of all people, but often found himself campaigning against the unfair treatment of African Americans during the mid-twentieth century. In 1963, King found himself in an Alabama jail in the city of Birmingham. He was arrested for being a part of a nonviolent demonstration without a permit. King had been protesting because of continuous unfair treatment of African Americans in Birmingham, Alabama. During his stint in jail, King wrote a "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" in which he responded to eight Alabama clergymen who had criticized …show more content…

In the very first line, King states “while confined here in the Birmingham city jail” (King 1) to set an emotional tone by showing that his imprisonment was not warranted. King later explains that the demonstration was justified with another emotional play by claiming the African Americans in the community “were victims of a broken promise” and that their “hopes had been blasted” (King 2). King explains this was because they previously met with the Birmingham economic community in September to negotiate certain conditions to help resolve the racial issues. King asserts the promises of those conditions were not kept. Though King’s use of emotional appeals are abundant, King’s most potent example may come at the end of his letter when …show more content…

Just as he did with emotional appeals, King plays on the clergymen’s ethics in the opening paragraph by stating, “I feel that you are men of genuine good will and that your criticisms are sincerely set forth” (King 1). Rather than immediately discrediting the clergymen’s views, King wisely establishes the foundations for an ethical and cordial letter. This is important. By attacking the clergymen from the start, King risks losing his attended audience for the rest of the letter. But by starting with that quote, King is able to display his credibility. This will help set the tone for the rest of the paper. King additionally displays his credibility by mentioning that “I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference” (King 1). This signals to the clergymen that King’s profession is similar to theirs and they logically should have similar ethical standards. King further drives this idea home at the end of the letter by voicing that he hopes to meet each of the eight clergymen, “not as an integrationist or a civil rights leader but as a fellow clergyman and a Christian brother” (King

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King writes this letter to the clergymen in an assertive and sensible tone without making his views seem confrontational. By doing this, he manages to prove his point clearly while being polite to the clergymen. He knows he doesn’t want to lose his audience because he believes his message is important. Also, his politeness shows that he always takes a nonviolent and non-aggressive approach to his cause, even verbally. For example, Dr. King states, “I hope you are able to see the distinction I am trying to point out.

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Martin Luther King Jr. was imprisoned for doing a peaceful protest in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963 and decided to write a long letter to the clergymen of the town and see why they had just stood by. MLK wrote an excellent letter discussing all of the difficult topics about the race issue in society. MLK stated his letter off with calling out the clergymen’s comments about the demonstrations. He furthers his argument by explaining that the demonstrations were not “untimely and unwise”.

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At the end of his letter he addresses the clergymen " 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 clergymen and a Christian brother" (paragraph 7). This statement makes a claim the king wants to meet these seven clergymen in person and speak about the issues he wrote in this letter. Another rhetorical tool king uses in his letter are similes. This rhetorical tool helps king compare two things and address the point as he sees it. " Over the last few years I have consistently preached that nonviolence demands that the means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek" (paragraph 3).

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Kings letter he decides to use the appeal of their shared beliefs in Christianity. Dr. King's goal is to appeal to their emotions and try to connect with them through shared faith. In the course of this conclusion Dr. King goes on to maintain how he views the Clergymen and how he wants to be viewed by them as well when he asserts that he wants to meet them but not as an "integrationist or a civil-rights leader" but instead perceived as "a fellow clergyman" and "a Christian brother". When Dr. King uses these words he is portraying how he wants to be seen amongst people he wants to consider equal. When taking into consideration these words, it is clear that Dr. King uses them to emphasize his wish of being given the ability to be seen as an equal to these

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If Dr. King does not assert his words, then no one will take him seriously. Without a tone that is tough, then the letter would not have the same effect. Even though King is forceful with his tone, he is also respectful. King answers the complaints calmly and attentively. When the religious leaders say that King and his church are outsiders making their way in, King answers with logic and reason.

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In Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” he is addressing the Clergymen, more specifically the white church and its leadership who criticized his efforts in the civil rights movement, by calling his demonstrations unwise and untimely. He is also simultaneously addressing the national audience as well in letting them know of the injustices of the time. It was 1963, and Martin Luther King Jr. wrote this letter from inside a jail cell. He had been arrested during an anti-segregation march for not having a valid parading permit in Birmingham, Alabama. In this letter he addresses the criticisms that were brought forth to him.

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685 Words | 3 Pages

In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King expresses his opinions and thoughts in response to a letter written by eight clergymen. As a justification of his actions for his recent activities, King was put under scrutiny that his actions were “unwise and untimely”. The main concept King was supporting was that, “Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.”

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King starts the letter by stating where he is and who he is. Dr. King writes, “I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization operating in every southern state.” (King 563). By stating he is the president of a religious leadership conference, Dr. King is inherently letting the people reading that he is credible in a leadership, religious, and responsibility driven aspect. As well as establishing his credentials, later in the letter Dr. King responds to being called an extremist.

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He addresses this letter to eight clergymen. This letter was of mass contribution in helping with the civil rights movement in America. Dr. King uses a great deal of references some biblical some iconic to really bring his point across. All throughout the letter Dr. King’s tone is passionate, respectful yet sarcastic in a way. Dr. King’s tone as he begins

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Dr. king lets the reader know his role as a religious reader through his writings, with that being said this lets Dr. King be seen as a moral, honest, trustworthy person. The letter was written during a time of segregation, and the response was towards religious leaders that were white, so Dr. King calling them “ fellow clergymen” was also using an ethos appeal of being an equal in status. This was important because Dr. King was in jail when the letter was

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Martin Luther King Jr. and other African Americans put themselves through harsh cruelty and dangerous situations to receive what they deserved and what African Americans along with everyone else were entitled to. Martin Luther King Jr. uses many meaningful and interesting quotes in his letter from the Birmingham Jail. In his letter, he discusses injustice and the challenges African Americans were facing during the Birmingham Campaign. For an example, King Jr. demonstrates the hard work African Americans face when he says “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” He uses logical appeals when he uses the term oppressor and oppressed.

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960 Words | 4 Pages

Kings Letter Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested and jailed on April 12, 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama, fifty-two ago years today. He had violated an injunction to block marches in protest of the cities segregation policies. King intended to use Birmingham as a catalyst to launch a campaign against southern segregation towards blacks. King envisioned a massive movement of nonviolent protests that would use the leverage of the Easter holiday boycott to force downtown stores to integrate. While incarcerated, King wrote the “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”

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649 Words | 3 Pages

Response to “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr. In Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, he responded to statements written in a Birmingham newspaper that criticized his actions in the city. He undermined these disapprovals by explaining his belief in nonviolent direct action. King also went on to give opinions on other topics, such as, the lack of support from white moderates and white churches. He used technique and structure to develop his ideas and justify his methods.

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King follows the rest of the letter with more emotional cries, which included the split that had formed within the black community, on the argument of civil rights; Some had begun to settle for segregation, including some of the clergymen who had criticized King. Near the end, he opposes the clergymen's praise toward the Birmingham Police Department, by providing a vivid description of the attack on himself and his fellow protesters, leading up to his arrest. MLK closes his letter by stating his current situation, apologizing for the letter's length, and portraying a deep sense of pity, as he wishes for all to find faith for a better future. Martin Luther King's Letter from Birmingham City Jail makes heavy use of ethos and logos to clarify issues and concerns from his criticizers, but relies even more on the emotional connection that it portrays on the reader.

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Martin Luther King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail addresses his fellow clergymen and others who critiqued him for his actions during this time. The clergymen along with others are addressed in an assertive tone allowing them to fully understand why his actions are justified. Throughout the letter critics are disproved through King’s effective use of diction and selection of detail. Martin Luther King opens the letter stating that the clergymen are being “influenced by the argument of ‘outsiders coming in” consequently he explains the reason for him being in Birmingham. In the opening of his explanation he states the injustices occurring, relating it to the prophets of eighth century B.C.

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