Preview

Letter To Birmingham Jail Analysis

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1090 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Letter To Birmingham Jail Analysis
In the letter of Birmingham was written By Dr. Martin Luther King who arrested during a participation of a peaceful movement against segregation. Dr. King wrote this letter in response to a public statement of concern and caution issued by 8 white religious leaders of the south. In this essay we are going to go into detail on Dr.King's response to the public statement and see his view on justice and injustice. Then try and compare his views against Paulo Freire.
When starting off in his speech Martin explains why he is in jail. He was invited to attend because he has organizational ties. Furthermore the other reason why he is there is because of the injustices that have been done. He does what the saints did back in early christian times going place to place preaching the gospel to others. In this case preaching desegregation in the community and state. According to King injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. He believes everyone is intertwined into destiny and if something happens to on it affects all indirectly. No one is exempt from this if living in the country it happens to. He recognizes the fact that the governor payed little attention to the demonstration. Seeds it as unimportant …show more content…
So the question is asked why follow some laws but not others? King's response is that there are 2 kinds of laws just and unjust. He uses a quote from St. Augustine saying “ An unjust law is no law at all.” To king the difference between the 2 laws is Just laws are man made moral laws or god's laws. Unjust laws are out of harmony with the just laws. St.Augustine again puts it as unjust laws are human laws not rooted in eternal and natural law. Laws that uplift human personality is just. Any degrading law is unjust hence why segregation is bad. It is degrading brings false sense of superiority. It is morally wrong. To use Civil disobedience is nothing
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Summary
    • 281 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Summary

    Martin Luther King's "A letter from Birmingham jail" was written in response to a published statement by eight fellow clergymen from Alabama who seriously criticized King for organization and participation in the protest march against segregation in Birmingham. King's letter was an attempt to defend himself from these accusations and to criticize white heads and moderators of the church. In the begging parts of the letter, Martin Luther King tries to reject the accusation of being an outsider in Birmingham. He also goes against the accusations that the protests where “untimely” by stating several reasons why this was appropriate time for…

    • 281 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Summary Of Letter From Birmingham Jail
    • 547 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Summary Of Letter From Birmingham Jail

    The main reason why he was holding these protests in Alabama and other southern states is because at the time they were last people still holding on to and believing that segregation is morally acceptable. This wasn’t King’s first time being to prison. At this time he was constantly being persecuted for his beliefs that segregation and racism is immoral.…

    • 547 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Summary
    • 1226 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Summary

    “Letter from Birmingham Jail: April 16, 1963” was written by Dr. Martin Luther King in response to published statements denouncing his non-violent protest in Birmingham, Alabama. The article, composed on scraps of paper, in the margins of the newspaper and finally on writing pads (King, 1963) by Dr. King as he was incarcerated in Birmingham City Jail for participating in a series of non-violent protests, known as the Birmingham Campaign. “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is considered“the most important written document of the modern civil rights movement and a classic text on civil disobedience”, primarily due to King’s impassioned defense of his confrontational tactics. (Bass, 2001 )…

    • 1226 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham Jail
    • 517 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham Jail

    Martin Luther King Jr’s Letter from Birmingham Jail is one his many writings on segregation and racial inequality towards blacks in the southern American states. While his actions may not have had much success at first during the 1960’s what made his arguments so powerful was his use of pathos and logos.…

    • 517 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Case Analysis
    • 1060 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Case Analysis

    Toni Morrision once said, “Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that free self is another.” This quote suggests that it is important to claim your freedom as your own as you move through the new experience of freedom itself. I believe that this is essential principle in the Letter from Birmingham Jail Case Analysis. This principle ties the connection between where people of color currently are and where they want to be. Martin Luther King is modeling this way of thinking, though he is locked away. He is using communication leadership to instill action, devotion, and motivation to his constituents. Martin Luther King’s leadership abilities are directly tied to the fact that he can reach an enormous amount of people with his message that the time for change is now, not tomorrow. He adds message to his credibility by being on the front lines and leading others in action as well as in message.…

    • 1060 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis Essay
    • 1359 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis Essay

    Martin Luther King Jr., born on January 15, 1929, fought for the injustices of his brothers and sisters throughout his life. While being an active activist, Martin Luther King was imprisoned to Birmingham jail due to his participation in a nonviolent demonstration against segregation and discrimination in Alabama. During his sentence, he wrote a letter, “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” to counter the criticisms of his actions from the clergymen by claiming that “An unjust law is no law at all”(par. 12), “Injustice everywhere is a threat to justice…

    • 1359 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis Essay
    • 756 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis Essay

    The early 1960s was an era of change in the United States. African-Americans led a campaign, known as the civil rights movement, to gain the freedoms and rights they had been unjustly denied. One of the leaders of the movement was Martin Luther King Jr., a Georgian minister and president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He traveled the nation to help lead nonviolent protests and fight discrimination. King's toughest challenge came in Birmingham, Alabama, where the movement was forcefully put down by the local government. In April 1963, King was arrested in Birmingham for leading the protests. While serving his sentence, he responded to a local letter published by Alabama clergymen in the newspaper. In his "Letter from Birmingham Jail," King explains what the civil rights movement stands for, what injustices African-Americans face, and why their actions are justified. To achieve his purpose, King eloquently organizes his letter, employs numerous rhetorical devices, and uses logos, pathos, and ethos. King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" is an incredible literary and historical work,…

    • 756 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Summary
    • 541 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Summary

    In a "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" written by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963, King addresses the issue of inequality of citizens in existence in American society and the need for moral responsibility regarding human dignity. The issues of inequality addressed by King in his letter are still prominent in American society today; no longer mandated by law, but by the mere existence of custom and racism.…

    • 541 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    An Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham Jail
    • 1896 Words
    • 8 Pages

    An Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham Jail

    “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther king is a response letter written to the eight clergyman who had criticized King for the method of protest he uses. King was arrested in Birmingham, Alabama in April 1963 and wrote the letter in his small cell after reading a newspaper in which the clergyman had themselves published criticize king’s method of protesting since he was not from the state of Alabama. King replies to the clergymen and call them “men of genuine good will”, to show his peaceful manner. The clergy man feel that king is not and should not interfere with what is happening in the south. King however, answers them by arguing why African Americans in Birmingham will and should participate in the movement, famously quoting that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (233). He explains that he doesn’t need to be from…

    • 1896 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis
    • 765 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis

    On April 3rd, 1963, various sit-ins and marches began in Birmingham, Alabama to protest racism and racial segregation. These protests were led by Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. On April 10th, King and other marchers were unfairly arrested for marching without a permit. While in jail, King saw a letter in the local newspaper from eight clergymen that expressed their concerns over having King and his protestors in Birmingham in the first place. “A Letter from Birmingham Jail” is King's response to those clergymen, in which he explains to them why he has come to their city and how an unjust law is no law at all.…

    • 765 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis
    • 1071 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis

    One was our 16th President and the other was a civil rights leader amongst other things, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther had many things in common. Both men fought long and hard for what they believed in, they both were leaders and they both believed in God. Just from Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Speech and in Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail you can see the similarities these two men shared. I will also discuss at least one thing that separates them, what stands out most in mind between the two writings mentioned above, and explain how the story Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell adds to my perspective of…

    • 1071 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Birmingham Jail Thesis
    • 643 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Birmingham Jail Thesis

    From a critical viewpoint, King makes a very persuasive argument using logic and emotions to influence the audience that he is in fact right in taking a non-violent action but more so justified from the basic humanity laws. He denies idea that he is supporting some laws while breaking other by making a distinction between just and unjust laws. He talks about the difference between moral and political and just and unjust laws. For example, Parade law that put him in jail is just in letter but unjust when applied to violate constitution. King also justifies breaking laws by citing historical examples of civil disobedience, such as: the Old Testament, Early Christians in Rome, Socrates, Boston Tea Party, Freedom Fighters against Hitler. He then uses emotions to convince his readers that it is the white moderate that are really at fault, conveying the message that he is a victim of circumstance and society. He uses this to lead into the criticism of his extremism. King is really a moderate between two extremes of black action between doing nothing and becoming violent. He cautions that without his movement, the extreme of hating whites will win out and cause more violence. He then shows that he is indeed a pacifistic by recognition and praise of those whites who have helped his cause. King tries to refute the clergyman’s disapproval of the actions that occurred in Birmingham, he tries to redirects praise to the civil rights protestors, and reconstructs a harmonious…

    • 643 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Just And Unjust Laws Analysis
    • 1008 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Just And Unjust Laws Analysis

    The call for justice was unquenchable, the tensions in Birmingham starved people for justice and equality, the fight for change was inevitable. Martin had many acts of protest against segregation, after being sent to jail and belittled, he felt compelled to give his explanation and reasoning to the Clergymen that criticized his work. Although Martin’s philosophy was based on nonviolent protest, it was necessary to fight for moral injustice even if that meant breaking the law. In the case of Birmingham, it was vital for Martin to response to the out cries of the people due to the unconstitional behaviors that continued to take place there. Martin focus on 3 central themes; moral obligation over unjust laws, direct action and justification of…

    • 1008 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Reflection
    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Letter From Birmingham Jail Reflection

    It is crazy how things work out. I was completely unaware of the readings I had coming up last week when I was visiting the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee during Spring Break. As I read through MLKJr’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” I could not help but feel chills. I reflected on how only a piece of glass separated from me from entering his hotel room that he stayed in the night before he passed away. There was also a section of the museum that was based up MLKJr’s…

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Civil Rights Movement Research Paper
    • 1287 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Civil Rights Movement Research Paper

    Martin Luther King, Jr. emerged as a pivotal leader in the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. King was an advocate for civil disobedience and peaceful protest. In 1963, following his arrest during a protest in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. King wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail” where various sources of oppression were described along with how to combat such oppression. In the letter, Martin Luther King, Jr. explained promises made to the African Community for equality that were never met. As a result of the broken promises, Dr. King called for pressure to be put on the authority figures who instigated such oppression. Dr. King described the pressure as a “direct action” and that the pressure would force negotiation to occur. Negative emotions were in the African American Community. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote that these emotions could manifest themselves a violence, if not expressed. However, Dr. King warned against acts of violence to achieve the desired end of equality. In the letter, Martin Luther King, Jr. revealed to white leaders the racism faced by African Americans and the difficulties faced by the children of this…

    • 1287 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics