LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL BY MARTIN LUTHER KING

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Letter From Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King Jr, who served as a minister and an activist of civil rights, wrote the Letter from Birmingham Jail in April 1963, while he was still in prison. He had been arrested for civil disobedience after engaging in a peaceful protest against segregation which was prevalent in Birmingham city. The letter addresses the racial segregation and all the injustices that the black community in the US was facing. The letter was in response to the criticism which had been addressed to King by eight clergymen who considered King’s and his fellow activists’ actions as unwise and untimely. King addressed the concerns of the clergymen about his action using a formal tone. The primary audience of King’s letter were the clergymen and other white moderates who were against the black community movement. This essay provides a comprehensive discussion of what was included in King’s Letter provides the author’s key arguments and personal thoughts about the letter.

There are three main issues presented in the letter. Firstly, King addressed the clergymen’s concern that it was not his place as outside to interfere with Birmingham city. Explaining why he was in Birmingham; King gave three reasons why it was appropriate for him to engage actively in Birmingham’s civil rights despite him not being a permanent resident. He first explained that he was the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), which operated in all Southern states. He further stated that his organization was sharing staff, financial and educational resources with its affiliates, and a few months ago, the affiliates in Birmingham had requested them to engage in a nonviolent protest, which they agreed to. Therefore, he was in Birmingham because he had organizational ties there. Secondly, he stated that he was in Birmingham because of the injustice there. He explained that he was in Birmingham to seek freedom for all and respond to the call of aid. Lastly, King claimed that he was in Birmingham to deal with injustices since injustices in Birmingham were a threat to justice everywhere.

Secondly, King addressed why Birmingham needed to demonstrate. He claimed that the black community had no alternative but to demonstrate since the need for justice in the city was urgent. According to King, the main reason for the demonstrations were that Birmingham was the most segregated city in the US, with high records of brutality among the black community, blacks being treated unjustly in courts, and the existence of many unresolved cases of the Blacks’ homes and churches in Birmingham, which the political leaders had refused to negotiate. King explained that he and his organization had acted responsibly and adhered to the four basic steps to be followed during a nonviolent campaign. The first step entails gathering facts. King explained that he, together with his group, had reviewed and confirmed the existence of segregation in Birmingham. The step is negotiation. Birmingham and his team had negotiated with the leaders of the economic community in Birmingham, and several promises were made. However, these promises were never fulfilled. The third step is self-purification. King and his team had conducted inner reflections and workshops of non-Violence. The fourth action is direct action, the nonviolent protest that King had been arrested for taking part in.

Lastly, King expressed his intentions during the peaceful protests in the letter. The main aim of their direct action was to establish a scenario that would inevitably open doors for negotiations. King further went ahead to address the critics from each of the clergymen. He addressed the critics in the letter why the action was untimely. Addressing this critic, he explained that the city had waited for over 340 years for their God-given and constitutional rights, and it was now time to act. He also addressed the clergy’s concern that he and his team were willing to break the law. He stated that he would be on the frontline, urging people to obey the just laws. However, he would openly advocate obeying unjust laws. Laws in Birmingham were unfair, and King would not advocate for them to be obeyed. He also explained that he had been greatly disappointed by the white moderates who preferred a negative peace that involves a lack of tension to positive peace characterized by justice. He also argued that White moderates were more devoted to order than justice. King also addressed the criticism that although their actions were peaceful, they precipitated the violence. He compared such thoughts with condemning a man who has been robbed because his custody of money hastened the act of bribery, which he considered illogical. Additionally, King addressed the clergymen’s concern that the direct action in Birmingham as extreme. He expressed great disappointment that his fellow clergymen would consider his nonviolent efforts as those of extremists. In his defense, he stated that oppressed individuals would not be oppressed forever, and their desire for freedom had to be attended to. He further insisted that it was better for his actions to be considered extreme for the cause of justice than standing by and watching injustices to continue. King also refutes the clergymen’s claim that laws of segregation should be fought in courts and not in the street. Supporting his argument King explained that only through direct action could push the white majority to confront the racism issue and engage in a true dialogue. King addressed all the concerns of the clergyman in a detailed manner and explained the reasons behind the direct action.

In my opinion, King utilized his letter to address the concerns of the clergymen and make his judgment. Additionally, although King was mainly addressing the clergymen’s criticisms, he was also reaching out to the whole nation to stop racial injustice by successfully showing how injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere. Furthermore, using pathos, ethos, and logos made his speech more effective. The use of biblical allusions also allowed King to develop analogies concerning the biblical figures, justify the peaceful protests, and solidify his arguments. Finally, the fact that King closes the letter using a hopeful note indicates that the Black community will attain the equality and freedom are fighting for.