How Is Ethos Used In Letter From Birmingham Jail

In "Letter from Birmingham Jail", Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. discusses whether or not African Americans have the same opportunities and equal rights as whites do. Then, King further explains the daily struggles and dilemmas that African Americans have been going through for such a long time and that change is essential. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. uses appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos. King also uses historical, biblical, and literary allusions to support and further his argument. Dr. King begins with ethos and logos by discussing how nonviolent protests are perfectly legal and are lawful acts. He states that he is imprisoned in Birmingham because, "injustice is here," (King 332). This appeals to ethos because it is morally and ethically
Dr. King also references St. Augustine who said "an unjust law is no law at all," (King 334). Dr. King also appeals to logos by comparing his disobedience to segregation laws to the rebellion at the Boston Tea Party. This historical allusion gives his claims credit and defend his thinking. Dr. King also uses pathos by describing the torment that many African American people have to go through on a daily basis due to racism and segregation laws. King states that they are "humiliated day in and day out by nagging signs reading 'white' and 'colored'," (King 334). Dr. King defends the protests by explaining why the segregation laws must be overturned and why things need to change soon. He states how African American people are disrespected and "living constantly at tiptoe stance," (King 334). He also describes how many African American people are constantly plagued by fear and hatred and that they feel no worth in society. Through his use of ethos, pathos, and logos Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. effectively explains and defends his actions. He also justifies anyone else who would like to be treated equally in society and would like to protest in a nonviolent