Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis
“Letter from Birmingham Jail” My Husband’s great uncle had the privileged to protest and marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr many times and I am always willing to read anything that has to do with this great man. So after reading this well written letter that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote, I was very moved by his words. I have to admit that I was not sure what the events where that prompted him to write this. So, of course, I had to do a little research so I can get a better idea of what it is that caused him to respond in such a way. I found that he was arrested during a peaceful protest in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had written the letter in response to the eight Alabama clergymen, whom had previously made a statement titled “A Call for Unity”
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He started the letter off by addressing a statement that they had made.
They had called him and the protesters actions “unwise and untimely”. I loved how he stated that he seldom answer to criticisms to his work and ideas. However, he felt that these men were to be men of God and church, so felt that he should follow up with giving them a response. I have always heard of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. being deeply into church, so I am sure that something inside him wanted so bad to respond to these men and so he did. I believe the "Letter from the Birmingham City Jail" is one of his best candid, soulful, biblically sound arguments for his call as a minister to "Speak Truth to Power" through direct action in non-violent protests. When he argues that there are two types of tensions: violent tension vs. creative tension. He made the point that there is a tension that is created simply for the sake of violence. There is another tension created through direct action that allows for growth and
creativity. Another great point that he had made that I loved was when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. offers a powerful criticism to those who advocated "waiting" as oppose to action. He was making the point that "Wait" is very similar to "never". Then he steps fluently into the argument for two types of laws. He was setting the pendulum to swing between the notions of just laws vs. unjust laws. To make his point even more valid he started quoting great theologians on law as St Thomas Aquinas, Paul Tillich, Buber, Socarates, and Jesus Christ himself on the human right to resist laws that are in direct conflict with moral law. However, I must say that for me his most insightful argument for direct action through civil disobedience is in his argument in the "misconception of time". The idea that there is an expected positive end that time brings is totally denounced by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The old saying "time heals all wounds", King would add a warning "through direct action". He is quoted as saying "We must come to see that human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of men willing to be co-workers with God; we must use time creatively, and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right." I mean, how can anyone say that this was not a powerful thing to read? Although, I initially thought that this would be a boring read, I have to admit that it was quite enjoyable and I have learned a lot from it.
Here is a picture that my Husband’s Aunt gave to me to share with you. His great uncle is Isaiah Owens; he is the one to the right of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Just thought this would be a great thing to share.
He started the letter off by addressing a statement that they had made.
They had called him and the protesters actions “unwise and untimely”. I loved how he stated that he seldom answer to criticisms to his work and ideas. However, he felt that these men were to be men of God and church, so felt that he should follow up with giving them a response. I have always heard of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. being deeply into church, so I am sure that something inside him wanted so bad to respond to these men and so he did. I believe the "Letter from the Birmingham City Jail" is one of his best candid, soulful, biblically sound arguments for his call as a minister to "Speak Truth to Power" through direct action in non-violent protests. When he argues that there are two types of tensions: violent tension vs. creative tension. He made the point that there is a tension that is created simply for the sake of violence. There is another tension created through direct action that allows for growth and
creativity. Another great point that he had made that I loved was when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. offers a powerful criticism to those who advocated "waiting" as oppose to action. He was making the point that "Wait" is very similar to "never". Then he steps fluently into the argument for two types of laws. He was setting the pendulum to swing between the notions of just laws vs. unjust laws. To make his point even more valid he started quoting great theologians on law as St Thomas Aquinas, Paul Tillich, Buber, Socarates, and Jesus Christ himself on the human right to resist laws that are in direct conflict with moral law. However, I must say that for me his most insightful argument for direct action through civil disobedience is in his argument in the "misconception of time". The idea that there is an expected positive end that time brings is totally denounced by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The old saying "time heals all wounds", King would add a warning "through direct action". He is quoted as saying "We must come to see that human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of men willing to be co-workers with God; we must use time creatively, and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right." I mean, how can anyone say that this was not a powerful thing to read? Although, I initially thought that this would be a boring read, I have to admit that it was quite enjoyable and I have learned a lot from it.
Here is a picture that my Husband’s Aunt gave to me to share with you. His great uncle is Isaiah Owens; he is the one to the right of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Just thought this would be a great thing to share.