Racism is a prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different ethnicity based on the belief that one's own race is superior. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream that one day people of all races would love and treat each other equally. Martin Luther King Jr. went through many hardships and even did time in jail for the cause he was trying to overcome. While Dr. King went to jail for his cause he wrote his famous "letter from Birmingham". The letter reveals King's strength as a leader and his extent of learning. Standing up for what is right, regardless of what is wrong is the greatest thing a person can stand up for.
Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" is addressed to numerous clergymen who had written an open letter disapproving the actions of Dr. King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference during their protests in Birmingham. Dr. King tells the clergymen that he was upset about their criticisms, and that he wishes to address their concerns. The first thing, he notes is their claim that he is an "outsider" who has come to Birmingham to cause trouble (King 170). Dr. King defends his right to be there in a straightforward, unemotional tone, explaining that the SCLC is based in Atlanta but functions throughout the South. Even though, Dr. King provides a moral reason for his presence, he is saying that he came to Birmingham to battle "injustice." His reasons are that he believes that all communities and states are unified, and he feels compelled to work for justice anywhere that injustice is being practiced. Dr. King believes the clergymen have blundered the protestors without equally exploring the racist causes of the injustice that is being protested. Martin Luther King Jr. is expressing his beliefs to the clergymen who were not for the right causes.
Dr. King explains in detail his process of establishing nonviolent action.
