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Tension In Letter From Birmingham Jail

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Segregation formed between 1849 and 1964, splitting whites from black into public and private places. Black Americans did not receive the same privileges or opportunities as White Americans. However, many civil rights activists worked to remove segregation and provide those affected with more options. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of these leaders. Martin Luther King advocated for several tensions, including police violence, in his fight against segregation, which shows that unfair laws should not be upheld. Civil rights leader Martin Luther King opposed segregation. We see in King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, he states, “We had no alternative except to prepare for direct action, whereby we would present our very bodies as a means of laying …show more content…

Moreover, King emphasizes, "Actually, we who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open, where it can be seen and dealt with.” (p. 24) Based on this quote, tension is raised by nonviolent direct action by King and others who supported him. The evidence presented here backs up my assertion that Martin Luther King, Jr., experienced intense stress. He intentionally created this tension because he wanted others to witness it. This evidence demonstrates that King had significant tension that he wanted the public to witness. According to Rosa Parks, “As I sat there, I tried not to think about what might happen. I knew that anything was possible. I could be manhandled or beaten. I could be arrested, ….In fact, if I had let myself think too deeply about what might happen to me, I might have gotten off the bus.” (8) This quotation is significant because it conveys that Rosa Parks did not want to consider what would happen if she refused to give up her seat and the cops arrived. This quotation demonstrates that Rosa Parks would have exited the bus if she had considered what the police may do to her when they arrived. She was unwilling to consider that. She was aware that by retaining her position, she ran the risk of being killed or severely assaulted. That is …show more content…

Martin points out that, “One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a responsibility to disobey unjust laws (15)” Depending on this quote, individuals shouldn't feel justified in abiding by unfair laws. It is an unlawful statute designed to continue the oppression of minorities. The passage demonstrates why people shouldn't be eager to obey or follow anything immoral, as well as unfair laws. King and others spoke out against these unfair laws because they felt it was wrong. This ties into the core idea that individuals should defend what they believe to be ethically correct. King comments, “ I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere (4).” According to this quotation, King believed he was unable to witness the injustice in Birmingham. He was aware that injustice might undermine the necessary, just justice. This quote shows that King would not turn a blind eye to the injustice taking place in Birmingham. He was aware that the unfairness and illegal activity in Birmingham may undo the already accomplished justice. It is evidence that King stood up for what he believed to be morally correct. He didn't give up after one battle. Birmingham was one of the areas he always got back up and went where he was most needed. This illustrates the idea that

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King later writes, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (4). He is justified and had every right to protest in the city of Birmingham, for civil liberties and justice. Challenged by the opposing, white population, comfortable in their segregated establishments and ideologies. King utilizes logos to help his audience understand the urgency of the Civil Rights movement and directly address the criticisms against his presence in Birmingham. “Sometimes a law is just on its face and unjust in its application.

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880 Words | 4 Pages

In Dr.king’s open letter he states that segregation is “an existential expression of man’s tragic separation”(8) of the blacks and whites in the south. The discomfort emphasized in this open letter reflects off of the unjust laws made for the blacks in south. Although, that Dr.king uses nonviolent action to solve problems that he and the blacks are facing in the south, the south continued to use unjust laws and methods to prevent the blacks from peacefully protesting against segregation. The unjust laws that the whites created to cause segregation is what really gives Dr.king the discomfort he expresses in this open letter because it allows the whites to do whatever they feel is possible to make the blacks feel like they aren’t human and by allowing them to do such inhumane things to them gives the whites a feeling of superiority that is not real. The feeling of discomfort that is expressed in this open letter by Dr.King forced him to act accordingly on the issue of segregation created by the unjust laws of the

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1139 Words | 5 Pages

This is a more powerful way of gaining the audience’s attention, rather than attacking them and forcing his ideas towards them. He continues to explain that all the necessary steps to end injustice nonviolently have already been taken in Birmingham and have not worked. This continues to draws out the shock and pity from the audience. King uses many historical people as back up for the use of his method of civil disobedience.

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He feels it is his right to work for justice anywhere that injustice is being practiced. He then explains in detail how he went about organizing nonviolent action. Dr. King recognizes s that the clergymen value negotiation over protest. However, he states that negotiations aren’t possible without protest. He elaborates by providing situations as examples where tension is necessary for humans to grow, and again states that the tension caused by direct action is necessary to end segregation.

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199 Words | 1 Pages

In his writing, “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, Martin Luther King Jr. asserts that corrupt segregation laws throughout the United States need to be reformed. King supports his argument by employing analogies, anaphoras and pathetic appeal. The author’s purpose is to highlight the injustices and oppression which black Americans face in everyday America in order to reform segregation laws in the southern United States. He writes to an audience of white church leaders, supporters of segregation and American society. Martin Luther King Jr.’s argument is a reflection of decades of work pursuing social justice as a civil rights activist.

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1143 Words | 5 Pages

This quote points out clearly that moral injustice exists when a majority that does not include the well being of minority citizens foregoes laws put in place for equality and restates laws that protect on the

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726 Words | 3 Pages

This is evident as segregation “gives the segregator a false sense of superiority and the segregated a sense of inferiority” (13). He then gives grounds for his wrongful arrest, stating that a law should not “deny citizens the First-Amendment privilege of peaceful assembly and press”(15). So despite segregation being present in many regulations set by the Birmingham government, King urges his audience to do what is morally right, no matter the legal repercussions. He then uses the biblical tale of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to provide a historical instance where a “higher moral law was at stake” (17). King goes on to provide more examples of civil disobedience that have led to the advancement of society, criticizing the actions of the law abiding white moderate by describing them as “dangerously structured dams that block the flow of societal progress”

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For instance, he brings facts in his letter to defend his protests in Birmingham. In paragraph 6, he admits that he already has gone all four step of a nonviolent movement including “collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist, negotiation, self-purification, and direct action” (801). In fact, his results shows that Birmingham is the city with the most injustices against African-American in the United States. For instance, the city leaders never take the time to solve all the bombing cases and to bring justice to his people. Showing all the “brutal facts” of the city, Kings expresses that his actions are valid because African community is a victim of iniquities (801).

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He included that part to show how his people are being treated by unjust circumstances even involving the justice system. This part was included to infuriate his audiences felling’s toward the justice system. When reading King’s letter, there have been more unsolved bombing of negro’s homes and churches in Birmingham

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When responding to the eight white clergymen, he states, “Seldom do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas,” giving the reader the notion that a plethora of criticism must come across his desk. But, he has chosen to write a response and explain himself simply because King feels they are “men of genuine good will” and their criticism is “sincerely set forth.” After the introduction of his letter, he feels he must next explain his location at the time: Birmingham Jail. “I am in Birmingham because injustice is here,” says King. This quote lets the reader know there is a reason behind King’s arrest, a very good reason, too.

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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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176 Words | 1 Pages

Martin Luther's pastoral standpoint and his childhood affected his view of segregation in America. Martin's father was a very spiritual man and believed that Segregation was against God’s Will and Martin Luther being a pastor himself understands this ideal and carried similar thoughts himself on the issue. Martin Luther also after finishing his schooling became an active member of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People) This also affected his views as he believed that Racial equality should be used throughout society. Martin's view of Segregation was that is wasn’t necessary and in many ways like his father he hated it and the idea of racial inequality.

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Kings rebuttal to the white clergy men was stated in, "A Letter From Birmingham Jail. "In his response, King wants his audience to believe that justice cannot wait. In his phrase, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere", King declares that he feels connected to and responsible for everyone who is experiencing this unfairness. He believes that speaking out against these wrong doings is the right thing to do. Which is why King makes his claim of fact that he is not an outsider, but is here merely by invitation.

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959 Words | 4 Pages

Although that was enough reason to be in Birmingham King goes on further to say that he is in Birmingham because injustice is here. King says he couldn’t ignore the fact there was injustice in Birmingham regardless if he was an outsider or not. King goes on to say that “injustice anywhere is a danger to justice everywhere” this builds on the theory that “whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. Defending his belief on just and unjust laws, King uses a quote of St. Augustine the quote says, “A unjust law is no law at all.” King uses this to answer the criticism on how can you advocate people to obey one law but breaking others.

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758 Words | 4 Pages

By this definition, King believes that the laws passed or upheld by the government were not just because they did not follow the natural law of God. He continues and says “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (King, page 1). Any law that separated or placed African Americans below the rest of society was unjust, and therefore Martin Luther King Jr. believed it was his duty to fight against this. It was especially important to begin fighting as soon as possible, in hopes to keep the rest of society safe from this

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