Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham Jail

Martin Luther King’s letter from Birmingham Jail was written to respond to white religious leaders who criticized his organization’s actions against racial prejudice and injustice among black society in Birmingham. The letter is a plea to both white and black Americans to encourage desegregation and to encourage equality among all Americans, both black and white, along all social, political and religious ranks, clearly stating that there should be no levels of equality based upon racial differences.
Dr. King’s main thesis in the Birmingham letter is that racial segregation and injustice to black society is due to the encouragement of white Americans, especially those who are part of powerful communities in politics and religions. He defends his thesis all throughout the letter and through the arguments he makes desires to prove that it is true.
Historical context:
By the 1950’s Birmingham, Alabama had represented the best of the new south, but became determined to maintain old racial ways. Political leaders maintained white supremacy with a ferocious combination of arrests, harassment, and violence among black
King used love as the instrument to overthrow the violent hatred of white racists. The scenes of racial brutality that followed including the arrest of more than 2000 children, and the use of high pressure hoses to assault peaceful marchers, including white children and teens, which were designed specifically to cause uproar by white parents, drew international condemnation. At this time, the U.S. sought to win the Cold War by winning the hearts of other nations to fulfill the ideals of American democracy. JFK was deeply embarrassed because he had always displayed more interest in foreign policy instead of domestic issues. Therefore, he announced his intention to present a comprehensive Civil Rights Bill to the U.S.