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MLK and Birmingham Jail

             wrote "Letter from Birmingham" as a response to eight clergymen who criticized his and the SCLC's nonviolent direct action against segregation in Birmingham. He at first addressed the issue of being called an "outsider" by defending his right to be there in a straightforward tone that SCLC is based in Atlanta but operates throughout the South. One of its affiliates had invited the organization to Birmingham, which is why they came. He then further noted "I am in Birmingham because injustice is here" [1]. He discussed that his movement wasn't an irrational decision by explaining the events of postponement after postponement. .
             Dr. King understands that clergymen prefer negotiation over protests but he insists negotiations cannot happen without protest, which creates a "crisis" and "tension" that forces unwilling parties (white business owners) to negotiate in good faith. He addressed the issue of "untimely" by explaining that Mr. Boutwell even though gentler but is still a segregationist who will oppose action that threatens the status quo. He said "We know through painful experienced that freedom is never voluntary given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed" [2] to further challenge the untimely criticism by the clergymen. Dr. King states that his people have waited long enough for justice then discusses a patent of abuses that they have suffered over a long time and in the present day. He distinguishes between just and unjust laws addressing the clergymen's anxiousness over the black man's "willingness to break laws" by quoting St. Augustine "An unjust law is no law at all" [3]. To sum up his point he mentions Hitler's laws and how he would've broken them to help the Jews. He said white moderates have greatly disappointed him as they value order over justice then further attacks them over their demands of patience.


Essays Related to MLK and Birmingham Jail

1. 60's Notes

Pritchett studied King's tactics and prepared for mlk Mlk's strategy - which was 1. to keep filling the jails and 2. to use police officers short temper to get a reaction which will create publicity. ... He organized a sophisticated system of jailing so that the jails wouldn't fill up. Also someone mysteriously was paying the fines for the people in jail, so they wouldn't stay in jail where they actually wanted to be. ... Mlk loses - Mlk experienced his greatest defeat. ... Birmingham, Alabama - SCLC moved the focus onto Birmingham which was in the middle of an electi...

  • Word Count: 1185
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Comparison between Civil Disobedience and A Letter From Birm

Following suit some years later, Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote a compelling essay titled, " Letter From Birmingham Jail," covering his feelings towards unjust laws and what we should do concerning them. ... However, Civil Disobedience had more staying power then Letter From Birmingham Jail. ... In Letter From Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King, Jr. ... Meanwhile, MLK was also alluding to the Bible, and to Socrates too. ... Plus, since it was written in a more forceful tone than Letter From Birmingham Jail, it influenced people the world over to take action more sufficiently than MLK's. ...

  • Word Count: 692
  • Approx Pages: 3

3. Socrates vs. MLK Jr.

Both Socrates and MLK Jr. are historical figures with strong beliefs. ... In Plato's Crito and MLK Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail," this question is addressed. ... Socrates and MLK Jr. believe that the majority does not matter. ... Socrates is being put to death, whereas MLK Jr. is imprisoned. ...

  • Word Count: 316
  • Approx Pages: 1
  • Grade Level: High School

4. MLK

"Letter from Birmingham Jail" Summary In Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail", he explained his actions to his fellow clergymen. ... He defended that they did not irresponsibly move into direct action, their activity in Birmingham was not extreme, and the laxity of the Church. ... One of the explanations was why he was in Birmingham jail in the first place. ... His second major point was that their activity in Birmingham was not extreme. ... In conclusion, Martin Luther King wrote a "Letter from Birmingham Jail" in order to gain some form of understanding from his fe...

  • Word Count: 474
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

5. A Letter from Birmingham Jail

Katie Uhas September 26, 2014 Letter from Birmingham Jail Change is something that a lot of us are terrified of. ... After peacefully protesting the atrocious acts inflicted upon the black community in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. ... The opening line of the letter goes "While confined here in the Birmingham City Jail" which is already an attention getter. ... The letter that he composed from the Birmingham City Jail is one that will live in infamy due to his use of imagery, religion and the eye opening views of the majority of Americans at the time. ... ...

  • Word Count: 892
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

6. The Letter - Martin Luther King Jr.

In the 1960's, segregation was running rampant in the south, especially in Birmingham, Alabama. In 1963, Birmingham was a heavily segregated city and it was full of white supremacy groups. ... While in Birmingham for the demonstrations, Martin Luther King, Jr. was jailed and wrote "Letter from Birmingham Jail" to address the charges of the Clergymen. ... " beings his letter by explaining his presence in Birmingham. ... The supporters were also asked "Are you able to endure the ordeal of jail?...

  • Word Count: 1506
  • Approx Pages: 6

7. Theories And Beliefs Of MLK

I believe this sparked MLK's own deep commitment to end inequality. ... In his letter from the Birmingham Jail, King states "....that freedom is never voluntarily given up by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed."... I look at MLK and these traits to reveal the rationalization of his rise to multicultural leadership in our society. ...

  • Word Count: 1192
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

8. MLK

Letter from Birmingham Jail Analysis "Letter from Birmingham" by Martin Luther King Jr., he talks about the morals and laws of segregation. ... Such as proving he was a good man, of good will and judgment, but he is sitting in a jail cell. Normally we think about people that are in jail are "bad" people and we do not look up to them. ... King also acknowledge the Birmingham police for doing their job, where as many times we all look for the blame in others instead of ourselves. ...

  • Word Count: 663
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

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