Dr. Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham

Dr. Martin Luther King makes a response to an article published in the Birmingham newspaper about his activities in the city. He believed that the criticisms of the clergymen deserved an answer. This applies to the statement made in the beginning of his letter “My dear fellow clergyman.” Throughout the letter his serious and matter-of-fact tone made a deep impression on the reader so that empathy is created towards the African American community.
The letter was based on a total of nine criticisms; one of them being “It is not the
King’s place as an outsider to interfere with Birmingham.” Dr. King contradicts this statement using three points in his letter. The first is that he is the President of the (SCLC) Southern Christian Leadership Conference and that he was invited there to engage in a nonviolent direct-action program. Also like Apostle Paul he was called to spread the gospel and that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Dr. King’s direct choice of words emphasis that the violent actions in Birmingham affects all of the South and the they are the root of the problem.
A main theme seen throughout the letter is Race. The mistreatment of the Black community in Birmingham
was one of the worst at that time of history, so bad that Birmingham was nicknamed “Bomingham” because of the many violent crimes including bombing of many black churches and homes. He mentions in his letter of the word “Wait”which he has heard for years and that “wait” has almost always meant “Never.” Dr. King writes a long drawn out sentence on the struggles of the pass and of the present before he concludes his thought so that the reader can feel just a fraction of what it is like always being postponed, always hearing the words “no” or “you can't;” he explains how a person of colored skin is dehumanized by being called “nigger” instead their first name and how they are constantly reminded that they are of lower class and that everyday they are humiliated by the signs “white” and “colored” only to conclude how it is difficult to “wait” any longer.
Dr.
King uses a type so diction with imagery, and allusion to make his audience think making the impact of the letter linger after they have read it. He uses allusion when he makes a reference to the Bible because it is considered to be holy and truthful, also because it is a reference that most everyone would understand. In the quote “as you seek to explain to your six year old daughter why she can't go to the public amusement park that has just been advertised on television, and see tears welling up in her eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children.”He created a picture of a poor six year old girl’s face and what might have been a mother or father disheartened at the fact that her innocent child will forever have a bitterness towards the white
people.
In the final Analysis I feel that there is a much larger audience than just the clergymen. Dr.King’s unintended audience is very noticeable. He talks about the apathy of the American people and what they should do in order to create social justice. Also, he uses the words “we” and “us” in order to convey the message that he is not the only one who thinks that social justice is attainable. When outsiders read this letter, the use of these words makes the reader feel like they are part of King’s struggle. Overall his goal is to fight for injustice.