Right through American history, it is very clear that many individuals have struggled or battled for justice in a society that has often denied it. We know this information from documents written by these infamous individuals expressing their feelings on a certain subject. On the subject of human rights, two specific men have authored their thoughts in an effort to make a difference. The very popular Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose main philosophy on civil disobedience revolved around nonviolence, wrote a "Letter From Birmingham Jail" to eight clergymen informing them of the situation in Birmingham, Alabama, in April of 1963. .
Henry David Thoreau, a 19th century individualist, wrote an essay called "Civil Disobedience" in which he explained his reasons for not paying taxes to a government that was involved in an unjust war with Mexico. Although these works were composed for different causes, the two have similarities. Both are similar in how they engage the reader to see and feel what the writer sees and feels. Both men, King and Thoreau, used emotional appeal in their work. This was utilized to gain support from the reader by creating a feeling of compassion. .
Dr. King's most emotional plea focused upon relating to his feelings on segregation. His thoughts were based on his own experiences and those of others living in a segregated environment. This was extremely important considering that he was directing his thoughts to the eight white clergymen. He started a paragraph referring to the impact of segregation as "stinging darts." The following sentences give examples of the segregation and the consequences for black people. In one specific statement, King used the image of "you" having to tell "your" young, innocent child that she cannot go to the amusement park simply because of the color of her skin. King wrote, ".when you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six-year-old daughter why she can't go to the public amusement park that has just been advertised on television, and see tears welling up in ger little eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children.