The Letter From Birmingham Jail By Martin Luther King Jr.

The civil rights movement was the answer to a call for justice that transformed the world. Though in the seemingly distant past, the social and economic implications of Jim Crow era racism once deep-rooted in the nation were only a few decades ago. “The Letter from Birmingham Jail” stands as one of the most influential and potent historical documents of the civil rights movement. In his response to the “Public Statement” written by the eight white clergymen from Birmingham who criticized the demonstrations led by King. Martin Luther King Jr. not only addresses the concerns raised in the clergy's letter regarding Birmingham but also highlights the larger issues of institutionalized segregation facing the nation at large by appealing to an American

King explains, “When you find your tongue stammering as you seek to explains to your six year old daughter that she cannot go to the public amusement park advertised on TV because it is not open to African Americans.” King also recounts, “or when your five year old son asks, ‘Why do white people treat colored people so poorly.’ King emphasizes how the idea of “white superiority” means to blacks, as he say, ”your middle name becomes boy (no matter how old you are) and your wife and mother are never given the respectful title Mrs. In all instances, King it appealing to the emotional, pathos, of the nation as a whole, by including personal anecdotes that anyone can relate to. King also uses Biblical references and popular examples to connect with the audience. In similar ways, others in history have had to fight for their people’s independence, freedom, and stand up for what it right. King draws from Biblical examples, retelling the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who disobeyed the laws of Nebuchadnezzar in order to stand up for what they believed what right -- obeying their God. Similar in American Patriotism, early Americans rebelled against what was unjust. The Boston Tea Party was a massive representation of civil disobedience. Center to the actions of the Boston Tea Party were because of “taxation without representation.” While King does not directly draw conclusion to this, similar motivation existed with the colored community. Not only were civil ordinances used to decrease colored rights, but no representation existed. King also clarifies unjust and justice laws. King urges his audience to remember that the horrendous actions taken against Jewish people during World War II by Hitler Germany was deemed