An Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham Jail
“Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther king is a response letter written to the eight clergyman who had criticized King for the method of protest he uses. King was arrested in Birmingham, Alabama in April 1963 and wrote the letter in his small cell after reading a newspaper in which the clergyman had themselves published criticize king’s method of protesting since he was not from the state of Alabama. King replies to the clergymen and call them “men of genuine good will”, to show his peaceful manner. The clergy man feel that king is not and should not interfere with what is happening in the south. King however, answers them by arguing why African Americans in Birmingham will and should participate in the movement, famously quoting that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (233). He explains that he doesn’t need to be from
…show more content…
the same place as where injustice is in order for him to be an advocate and help fix this injustice.
King writes this letter from a point of view of an activist in the civil rights movement. Point of view according to the Element of reasoning, is the perspective from which the essay is written. It includes the author’s professional and personal background. King is a “graduate of Morehouse College and has a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951” (231). He has also experienced “leading a boycott in 1956”( King 231), which adds up to his credibility of what he plans to do in the south and the method he is planning to use to protest in a peaceful manner. King as described is an “outspoken and charismatic activist for the civil rights” (231). He strongly believed in a non-violence protest and had also served as the president in the Southern Christian leadership Conference (King 231). In fact, this was one of his reason to the eight clergyman why he should be able to participate in the movement. Although the clergymen argue that” civil rights should be attained by “local Negro Leadership” and not an “outsider” as they described king (King 231), King employs this element of reasoning to show the experience he has which contribute to the powerful voice of his authority in the letter to respond to the clergymen and other white men of goodwill.
Concept are the major ideas that an author explores in his or her writing. King discusses many concepts including equality, discrimination, just and unjust law. Equality is the state of having the same rights in society. Unjust law on the other hand, is a law that goes against human morals as well as is against the law provided by society and government. King has been an advocate for immoral treatments of African Americans and the equality problems that came with unjust laws. Just like any African American during that time, king had also faced discrimination and unjust laws. He connotes that he won’t back out on what he doing just like what the clergyman is said because as written in the letter, he describes the horrors of discrimination and unjust law through his use of concepts that he describes as “Wait. But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers……and unavoidable” (King 236-237). He explains that it is difficult to back out of this movement weather he is an outsider or not because of the horrors people faced. He is sure what he is doing is right and his concept of equality and civil right including unjust law is implied throughout his letters which in a way are also his point of address that he wants to resolve.
Purpose is a reason why an author writes a text and the reactions and/or actions he/she hopes will result after readers are done with the text.
In this case, King writes this letter because of his presence in Birmingham and his presence in Birmingham is because, “Injustice is here” (232). As a response to the eight clergymen, he compares his mission to what the Apostle Paul did and says that “like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid” (King 233). Here, king explains that he is responding to the call of Birmingham where he believes there is injustice. Additionally, king describes his purpose by saying that “the purpose of our direct- action program is to create a situation so crisis-packed that it will inevitably open the doors to negotiation” (King 235). King directly explains that the purpose of the organization is to create a situation in which the voice of the people will be heard and a negotiation with the government could be done. King is very straight forward and clear in pointing out and employing his reasoning of purpose to why he is in Birmingham and what he plans to do while
there.
Question at issue and or problems to be solved are the important situation and challenges often of a pressing nature that the author identifies works through and attempts to resolve. In his letter, king questions “is not segregation an existential expression of man’s tragic separation, his awful estrangement, his terrible sinfulness?” (238). King asks if segregation is not a way of separation from society and to show his sinfulness. King challenges the beliefs of white Americans with the comparison he makes of segregation and sin. The question that sums up the whole story however, is how to stop discrimination and what the best method is. King questions many statements the clergymen had made and through his use of reasoning. He also connotes that the only way to fight and resolve this issue of unjust law is not by becoming a “hateful extremist”, but by choosing “what kind of extremist the people choose to be” (King 243). He asserts that just like Christ, the way of challenging society is by becoming an extremist of love.
King implies different types of evidence and information to back up his argument. Evidence according to the element of reasoning is background material that the author uses to develop and support his or her arguments. The clergymen implied that king was an outsider and so, he shouldn’t interfere with the issue at Birmingham. However, king challenges this view with his use of evidence such as “I have traveled the length and breadth of Alabama, Mississippi, and all the other southern states” (King 245). King has traveled through the southern states where he had observed injustice being done to African Americans because of the color of their skin. Throughout his experience of facing discrimination and injustice, one experience that has left him hurt was explaining to his “six-year old daughter why she can’t go to the public amusement park that had just been advertised…….toward white people”(236). Evidently, king’s advocacy for civil rights wouldn’t have only been here in America but as he wrote in his paper, “Even so, I am sure that, had I lived in Germany, I would have aided and comforted my Jewish brothers” (King 239). King is explaining here no matter the circumstance, as long as injustice is present and civil rights have been oppressed, he wouldn’t have backed up anywhere and anytime he was there. Through his use of evidence and information, king coveys his credibility as well as respond to the eight clergymen and beyond.
According to the Element of reasoning, Assumption is described as an author’s assumption based on the knowledge, values, and opinions that he or she takes for granted the reader will accept as factually true and accurate. Major assumptions king makes is the fact that he feels Christians will agree with the point he is making just because he follows the same religion as they do. Furthermore, he points out that “Was not Christ an extremist for love and that was not Amos an extremist for justice” (King 243). King feels good in a way for being called an “extremist” because he feels that there are two types and that he is on the right side of the extremist which include Christ and Amos. ADD AN EXPLANATION FOR THIS PART
An Implication or consequence is a clams or truth that follows from other claims or truth. King asks “Is not segregation an existential expression of man’s tragic separation?”(238). He questions whether segregation is not categorized among man’s tragic separation. Segregation is one of the topics king wrote about and is a question at issue he would like to resolve. King describes that he is further convinced that “if our white brothers dismiss as “rabble-rousers” and “outside agitators” those of us who employ nonviolent direct action, and if they refuse to support our nonviolent efforts, millions of Negros will ………….racial nightmare”( 242). King Is very much convinced that if the white people don’t stop segregation and they don’t do anything to stop it, then as African Americans have no problem solving this problem because as he says, “oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever” (King 242). He also asserts that the method of nonviolent direct action is needed to further the civil rights movement or as a result, a violent war between races might breakout.
King makes his conclusion based on the information/evidence he has as well as through the issues that were to be solved. Inference/ Interpretation/Conclusion are judgments, decisions, inductive and deductive arguments formed from evidence and reason. King has no doubt that they are going to achieve their goal and describes it as “I have no fear about the outcome of our struggle in Birmingham, even if our motives are at present misunderstood” (King 247) . King is very much sure that what he is doing is going to have a positive outcome. Not only does king feel that he would have a positive outcome, he hopes that the church as a whole will meet the challenge with strength. He describes it that even if the church does not come to the aid of justice, I have no despair about the future” (King 247). Throughout his text, he answers the clergymen with the evidence and the conclusion part is where he reassures himself that his plan is going to work.
In conclusion, king is very assertive and wise in terms of his use of the elements of reasoning. He backs up his arguments through his use of evidence. He is very descriptive of the situations he experienced in which in a way is very emotional. His choice of word and the way he describes it shows the point of view he is coming from. As for his purpose, he is very direct to answer the eight clergymen however, this response was also meant for those white people who discriminate African Americans. King was able to address his point across by stating his opinion and in the end, he asserts that nonviolent with direct action is a way for African Americans to make negotiation and get their freedom. Personally, I agree with what King had implied when it comes to non-violent direct action because, I think it is better than causing war that will result in many death. Instead, I think it is much better if a nonviolent direct action method is used. It is much safer and is more affective to protest in a non-violent peaceful manner for a better and higher change of society and its unjust law.
the same place as where injustice is in order for him to be an advocate and help fix this injustice.
King writes this letter from a point of view of an activist in the civil rights movement. Point of view according to the Element of reasoning, is the perspective from which the essay is written. It includes the author’s professional and personal background. King is a “graduate of Morehouse College and has a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951” (231). He has also experienced “leading a boycott in 1956”( King 231), which adds up to his credibility of what he plans to do in the south and the method he is planning to use to protest in a peaceful manner. King as described is an “outspoken and charismatic activist for the civil rights” (231). He strongly believed in a non-violence protest and had also served as the president in the Southern Christian leadership Conference (King 231). In fact, this was one of his reason to the eight clergyman why he should be able to participate in the movement. Although the clergymen argue that” civil rights should be attained by “local Negro Leadership” and not an “outsider” as they described king (King 231), King employs this element of reasoning to show the experience he has which contribute to the powerful voice of his authority in the letter to respond to the clergymen and other white men of goodwill.
Concept are the major ideas that an author explores in his or her writing. King discusses many concepts including equality, discrimination, just and unjust law. Equality is the state of having the same rights in society. Unjust law on the other hand, is a law that goes against human morals as well as is against the law provided by society and government. King has been an advocate for immoral treatments of African Americans and the equality problems that came with unjust laws. Just like any African American during that time, king had also faced discrimination and unjust laws. He connotes that he won’t back out on what he doing just like what the clergyman is said because as written in the letter, he describes the horrors of discrimination and unjust law through his use of concepts that he describes as “Wait. But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers……and unavoidable” (King 236-237). He explains that it is difficult to back out of this movement weather he is an outsider or not because of the horrors people faced. He is sure what he is doing is right and his concept of equality and civil right including unjust law is implied throughout his letters which in a way are also his point of address that he wants to resolve.
Purpose is a reason why an author writes a text and the reactions and/or actions he/she hopes will result after readers are done with the text.
In this case, King writes this letter because of his presence in Birmingham and his presence in Birmingham is because, “Injustice is here” (232). As a response to the eight clergymen, he compares his mission to what the Apostle Paul did and says that “like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid” (King 233). Here, king explains that he is responding to the call of Birmingham where he believes there is injustice. Additionally, king describes his purpose by saying that “the purpose of our direct- action program is to create a situation so crisis-packed that it will inevitably open the doors to negotiation” (King 235). King directly explains that the purpose of the organization is to create a situation in which the voice of the people will be heard and a negotiation with the government could be done. King is very straight forward and clear in pointing out and employing his reasoning of purpose to why he is in Birmingham and what he plans to do while
there.
Question at issue and or problems to be solved are the important situation and challenges often of a pressing nature that the author identifies works through and attempts to resolve. In his letter, king questions “is not segregation an existential expression of man’s tragic separation, his awful estrangement, his terrible sinfulness?” (238). King asks if segregation is not a way of separation from society and to show his sinfulness. King challenges the beliefs of white Americans with the comparison he makes of segregation and sin. The question that sums up the whole story however, is how to stop discrimination and what the best method is. King questions many statements the clergymen had made and through his use of reasoning. He also connotes that the only way to fight and resolve this issue of unjust law is not by becoming a “hateful extremist”, but by choosing “what kind of extremist the people choose to be” (King 243). He asserts that just like Christ, the way of challenging society is by becoming an extremist of love.
King implies different types of evidence and information to back up his argument. Evidence according to the element of reasoning is background material that the author uses to develop and support his or her arguments. The clergymen implied that king was an outsider and so, he shouldn’t interfere with the issue at Birmingham. However, king challenges this view with his use of evidence such as “I have traveled the length and breadth of Alabama, Mississippi, and all the other southern states” (King 245). King has traveled through the southern states where he had observed injustice being done to African Americans because of the color of their skin. Throughout his experience of facing discrimination and injustice, one experience that has left him hurt was explaining to his “six-year old daughter why she can’t go to the public amusement park that had just been advertised…….toward white people”(236). Evidently, king’s advocacy for civil rights wouldn’t have only been here in America but as he wrote in his paper, “Even so, I am sure that, had I lived in Germany, I would have aided and comforted my Jewish brothers” (King 239). King is explaining here no matter the circumstance, as long as injustice is present and civil rights have been oppressed, he wouldn’t have backed up anywhere and anytime he was there. Through his use of evidence and information, king coveys his credibility as well as respond to the eight clergymen and beyond.
According to the Element of reasoning, Assumption is described as an author’s assumption based on the knowledge, values, and opinions that he or she takes for granted the reader will accept as factually true and accurate. Major assumptions king makes is the fact that he feels Christians will agree with the point he is making just because he follows the same religion as they do. Furthermore, he points out that “Was not Christ an extremist for love and that was not Amos an extremist for justice” (King 243). King feels good in a way for being called an “extremist” because he feels that there are two types and that he is on the right side of the extremist which include Christ and Amos. ADD AN EXPLANATION FOR THIS PART
An Implication or consequence is a clams or truth that follows from other claims or truth. King asks “Is not segregation an existential expression of man’s tragic separation?”(238). He questions whether segregation is not categorized among man’s tragic separation. Segregation is one of the topics king wrote about and is a question at issue he would like to resolve. King describes that he is further convinced that “if our white brothers dismiss as “rabble-rousers” and “outside agitators” those of us who employ nonviolent direct action, and if they refuse to support our nonviolent efforts, millions of Negros will ………….racial nightmare”( 242). King Is very much convinced that if the white people don’t stop segregation and they don’t do anything to stop it, then as African Americans have no problem solving this problem because as he says, “oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever” (King 242). He also asserts that the method of nonviolent direct action is needed to further the civil rights movement or as a result, a violent war between races might breakout.
King makes his conclusion based on the information/evidence he has as well as through the issues that were to be solved. Inference/ Interpretation/Conclusion are judgments, decisions, inductive and deductive arguments formed from evidence and reason. King has no doubt that they are going to achieve their goal and describes it as “I have no fear about the outcome of our struggle in Birmingham, even if our motives are at present misunderstood” (King 247) . King is very much sure that what he is doing is going to have a positive outcome. Not only does king feel that he would have a positive outcome, he hopes that the church as a whole will meet the challenge with strength. He describes it that even if the church does not come to the aid of justice, I have no despair about the future” (King 247). Throughout his text, he answers the clergymen with the evidence and the conclusion part is where he reassures himself that his plan is going to work.
In conclusion, king is very assertive and wise in terms of his use of the elements of reasoning. He backs up his arguments through his use of evidence. He is very descriptive of the situations he experienced in which in a way is very emotional. His choice of word and the way he describes it shows the point of view he is coming from. As for his purpose, he is very direct to answer the eight clergymen however, this response was also meant for those white people who discriminate African Americans. King was able to address his point across by stating his opinion and in the end, he asserts that nonviolent with direct action is a way for African Americans to make negotiation and get their freedom. Personally, I agree with what King had implied when it comes to non-violent direct action because, I think it is better than causing war that will result in many death. Instead, I think it is much better if a nonviolent direct action method is used. It is much safer and is more affective to protest in a non-violent peaceful manner for a better and higher change of society and its unjust law.