Summary Martin Luther King Jr. was the acknowledged leader of the American Civil Rights Movement. King earned several degrees and was a bright man. His “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was written in April 1963‚ while he was in jail in Birmingham‚ Alabama‚ for acts of civil disobedience (499). His letter is a response to a letter signed by clergyman criticizing his actions towards civil rights. The clergymen believed that his actions were “untimely.” King states ‚”if I sought to answer all the criticisms
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Martin Luther King Jr. was a powerful man with good intentions for civil right. He wrote an extensive letter to eight clergymen who condemned the timing of the civil rights movement on April 16‚ 1963‚ from a jail in Birmingham‚ Alabama. Even though the letter was addressed to the clergymen‚ the message was geared towards a larger audience‚ especially King’s “Christian and Jewish brothers” (King). King believes that without direct action‚ the rights for African Americans could never be achieved. He
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Martin Luther King Jr’s ”The Ways of Meeting Oppression” is a division and classification essay in which King explains the ways in which oppressed people meet oppression. He states that‚ historically‚ oppressed people have responded to their oppression in negative ways either resulting in their total destruction or prolonging their oppression. King challenges the oppressed Negro to meet oppression positively and effectively. In the essay‚ he examines the three characteristics ways of meeting oppression
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Clergymen‚ While confined here in the Birmingham City Jail‚ I came across your recent statement calling our present activities "unwise and untimely." Seldom‚ if ever‚ do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas … But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and your criticisms are sincerely set forth‚ I would like to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms. I think I should give the reason for my being in Birmingham‚ since you have been influenced by
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Dr. Martin Luther King‚ Jr. ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- Early life and education For more details on this topic‚ see Martin Luther King‚ Jr. authorship issues. Martin Luther King‚ Jr. was born on January 15‚ 1929‚ in Atlanta‚ Georgia‚ the middle child of the Reverend Martin Luther King‚ Sr. and Alberta Williams King.[5] King Jr. had an older sister‚ Willie Christine King‚ and a younger brother‚ Alfred Daniel Williams King.[6]:76 King
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Martin Luther King is a prime example of an individual whom never compromised his ideals for the greater good of all mankind. Throughout history his writings and demonstrations were a key aspect in the major changes during the 1960’s in civil rights movement. Many of his writings were all influential and noted his ideals and actions that lead to key actions and legislations during this time period. Some writings were “Letters from Birmingham” and “Why We Can’t Wait”. These are blue prints that never
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King starts his essay with addressing that he never usually answers statements that criticize his work. He goes on to state what role he plays in the south and why he is in Birmingham. He is there because Birmingham is the most segregated city in America and injustice is most prevalent there. He writes that nations such as Asia and Africa are moving forward with gaining political independence‚ but America was still moving with incredibly slow speed trying to obtain the same goal. There are examples
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Movement‚ Martin Luther King chose to take that role to solve the unjust oppression that was occurring. King possessed the characteristics of a great leader; believing in equality‚ non-violent civil disobedience and a strong call to action. Through these‚ King was able to be a successful leader to the oppressed and had a strong influence across the world. The drive of the Civil Rights Movement was the segregation and prejudice that minorities faced. King writes “A Letter from Birmingham Jail” expressing
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Short Write #1 1. Martin Luther King Jr.’s thesis in the Letter from a Birmingham Jail is repudiation of the clergymen’s disapproval of his direct action-nonviolent resistance campaign. 2. Martin Luther King Jr supports his thesis by starting out refuting the idea that he is an outside protestor that doesn’t belong in Birmingham. He was serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference‚ an organization operating in the southern states. The associate in Birmingham asked him to be
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Smith‚ Jessica October 16‚ 2012 Moral Decisions In life there are always either negative or positive consequences when an action is made. In Martin Luther King Jr.’s essay “Letter from Birmingham Jail‚” he evaluates how one can advocate breaking some laws and obeying others. The reason it is possible to do such a thing is because there are two different types of laws‚ just and unjust. Depending on one’s morals‚ it can be morally right to advocate breaking some laws and obeying others
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