Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis
Liberation Theology
Birmingham Jail Letter
Black liberation theology dates back to 1960’s. Martin Luther King was like a Moses sent to help liberate the voiceless African Americans. He risked his life so that we may have a voice. In this letter written in the Birmingham Jail Dr. Martin captures the themes of liberation theology when he brings to light the way the church and the clergymen appear during this time from the perspectives of the African Americans. He starts his letter to the clergy men by telling them why he is in Birmingham, he explains to them he has to answer the call just like the people who came before him felt compelled to spread the gospel, he felt compelled to help. King stated that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. This quote can be applied to liberation …show more content…
The clergymen called King an extremist for standing up for what was right and wanting to march. King hoped that the march would turn negative energy into a positive one, to support his thoughts king would often use example from other leaders who decided to step up and make a change. King often relied on the example set by Socrates, Paul and Jesus so that the clergymen could see that oppression is still going on. King goes on to state that “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressors; it must be deemed by the oppressed”, and that’s exactly what was happening. They were demanding what was morally right. King brought to the light that being poor does not only relate to those who have less, financially but emotionally also. This is seen in the injustice practiced during this time. Even though the odds were against all who were fighting for change Dr. King remained very positive and hopeful he believed that even if they did not get all they wanted they would leave a mark, hoping that eventually things would get
Birmingham Jail Letter
Black liberation theology dates back to 1960’s. Martin Luther King was like a Moses sent to help liberate the voiceless African Americans. He risked his life so that we may have a voice. In this letter written in the Birmingham Jail Dr. Martin captures the themes of liberation theology when he brings to light the way the church and the clergymen appear during this time from the perspectives of the African Americans. He starts his letter to the clergy men by telling them why he is in Birmingham, he explains to them he has to answer the call just like the people who came before him felt compelled to spread the gospel, he felt compelled to help. King stated that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. This quote can be applied to liberation …show more content…
The clergymen called King an extremist for standing up for what was right and wanting to march. King hoped that the march would turn negative energy into a positive one, to support his thoughts king would often use example from other leaders who decided to step up and make a change. King often relied on the example set by Socrates, Paul and Jesus so that the clergymen could see that oppression is still going on. King goes on to state that “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressors; it must be deemed by the oppressed”, and that’s exactly what was happening. They were demanding what was morally right. King brought to the light that being poor does not only relate to those who have less, financially but emotionally also. This is seen in the injustice practiced during this time. Even though the odds were against all who were fighting for change Dr. King remained very positive and hopeful he believed that even if they did not get all they wanted they would leave a mark, hoping that eventually things would get