Letter from a Birmingham Jail
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter glances into the actuality of racial segregation in the
1960s. King writes this letter to the clergy men and intends to address the concerns regarding the wisdom and timing of the nonviolent demonstrations in Birmingham, Alabama that
King and other leaders arranged and carried out in 1963. King employs all three types of appeals, pathos, ethos and logos in this letter to the clergy man. Dr. King’s letter brings out feelings of empathy, indignation, and even pride.
Besides explaining the reasons behind him being in Birmingham, MLK shows that he is an excellent leader: “I have the honor of serving as president of the
Southern Christian Leadership Conference.” He talks about how he is involved in several affiliated organizations and the organizations are operating in many different states. “I am here because I have organizational ties here.” MLK is showing that he is smart enough to hold all these leadership positions, and will thrive in these positions, thus establishing credibility. MLK uses many elaborate phrases in his letter to the clergy man. I like the way he words these phrases, they sound intelligent. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” “Whatever affects one directly, affects everyone indirectly.” These got me thinking, and also to made me believe that MLK is smarter than he is made out to be.
The use of strong words like justice and destiny also got me, the reader heated up and I believe other readers would feel the same. At last MLK gave some concrete evidence for his reasoning to act out against what was occurring in Birmingham. He says that Birmingham is extremely segregated, blacks are treated unfairly and even violently, and that injustices towards Negroes in this city are plentiful. MLK makes the reader strongly feel empathy and indignation, and also pride. It may seem unfair to connect pride with a situation overflowing with suffering and injustice.
1960s. King writes this letter to the clergy men and intends to address the concerns regarding the wisdom and timing of the nonviolent demonstrations in Birmingham, Alabama that
King and other leaders arranged and carried out in 1963. King employs all three types of appeals, pathos, ethos and logos in this letter to the clergy man. Dr. King’s letter brings out feelings of empathy, indignation, and even pride.
Besides explaining the reasons behind him being in Birmingham, MLK shows that he is an excellent leader: “I have the honor of serving as president of the
Southern Christian Leadership Conference.” He talks about how he is involved in several affiliated organizations and the organizations are operating in many different states. “I am here because I have organizational ties here.” MLK is showing that he is smart enough to hold all these leadership positions, and will thrive in these positions, thus establishing credibility. MLK uses many elaborate phrases in his letter to the clergy man. I like the way he words these phrases, they sound intelligent. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” “Whatever affects one directly, affects everyone indirectly.” These got me thinking, and also to made me believe that MLK is smarter than he is made out to be.
The use of strong words like justice and destiny also got me, the reader heated up and I believe other readers would feel the same. At last MLK gave some concrete evidence for his reasoning to act out against what was occurring in Birmingham. He says that Birmingham is extremely segregated, blacks are treated unfairly and even violently, and that injustices towards Negroes in this city are plentiful. MLK makes the reader strongly feel empathy and indignation, and also pride. It may seem unfair to connect pride with a situation overflowing with suffering and injustice.