Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis

In the passages “Speech at the March on Washington” by Josephine Baker and “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., each passionately argues for peaceful protest and equality. Also, in order to achieve true freedom one must protest peacefully.

To begin with, in order to achieve true freedom one must peacefully protest. In the passage “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. argues that it is acceptable to break a law if it an unjust law. According to the text “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in lines 242-246, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., says, “ I submit that any individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him it is unjust and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the
conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.” This shows that it is acceptable to break a law that you feel that it is unjust and that it also lacks equality. In addition, as it states in the text “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in lines 233-236 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. says. “Now, there is nothing wrong in having an ordinance which requires a permit for a parade. But such an ordinance becomes unjust when it is used to maintain segregation and to deny citizens the First-Amendment privilege of peaceful assembly and protest." This reveals that it is justifiable to break a law that it is inequity towards citizens their right to peaceful assembly and protest. Therefore, in order to achieve true freedom one must protest peacefully to get their point across.

Also in order to achieve true freedom one must protest peacefully and obtain equality. In the passage “Speech at the March on Washington” by Josephine Baker argues that people from different races should fight for their equality using non-violence. According to the text “Speech at the March on Washington” in lines 48-50 Josephine Baker, says, “ So I did open my mouth, and you know I did scream, and when I demanded what I was entitled to, they still would not give it to me.” This shows that instead of using violence Josephine Baker peacefully spoke her mind that it is unfair to discriminate against her because of her race. Also, as it states in the text “Speech at the March on Washington” in lines 89-72, Josephine Baker says, “You must go to school and you must learn to protect yourself with the pen, and not the gun. Then you can answer them, and I can tell you- and I don’t want to sound corny- but friends the pen is mightier than the sword.” This reveals that by using non-violence Josephine Baker explains that in order to protect yourself you should use your voice in order to get your point across instead of using violent actions. As shown above, in order to achieve true freedom one must also protest peacefully and obtain equality.

However, in the passage “Letter from Birmingham Jail” Clergymen believed that Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s protest was unwise and untimely. This is untrue due to the fact that it was necessary to protest peacefully against an unjust law. According to the passage “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in lines 36-38, Dr. Martin Luther King JR. says, “ I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what is happening in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” This proves that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s protest was not unwise and untimely because if injustice is not served it affects everyone and their equality. Also, as it states in the text “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in lines 141-145 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. says, “For years now I have heard the word “wait!” It rings in the ear of every Negro with parsing familiarity. This “wait” has almost always meant “never.” We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists that “Justice long delayed is justice denied.” This also proves that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s protest was not unwise and untimely, because by justice being denied it made African Americans take action into leading a peaceful protest against racism and discrimination. Also in the passage “Speech at the March on Washington” society believed that it was normal to discriminate against African Americans. Despite what society believe it is iniquitous to discriminate a person because of their race. Furthermore, as it sates in
the text “Speech at the march on Washington” in lines 59-61 Josephine Baker, says, “Friends and brothers and sisters ,that is how it went. And when I screamed long enough, they started to open that door just a little bit, and we all started to be able to squeeze through it.” This proves that it is unfair ad iniquitous to discriminate a person because of their race. Also, in the text "Speech at the March on Washington" in lines 18-23 Josephine Baker says, "But when I ran away, yes I ran away to another country, I didn't have to do that. I would go to any restaurant I wanted to, and I could drink water any place I wanted to, and I didn't have to go to a colored toilet either, and I have to tell you it was, and I get used to it, and I liked it, and I wasn't afraid anymore that someone would shout at me and say "Go to the end of the line." This proves that it was unusual to discriminate someone in another country.

Hence, in order to achieve true freedom one must protest peacefully and obtain equality, and in order to do so one must also put an end to discrimination, injustice, and racism by getting your point across and by getting your voice heard.