Aquinas also thought that the actions of one demonstrated the values and morals of all. According to King, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" (143). This belief emulates the beliefs of Aquinas and Paul and indicate that the minority Negro population will not suffer alone from the injustice of the majority society.
King attempts all throughout the letter to bring shame on the clergymen, so that they are unable to dispute his claims without the appearance of being irrational. He appears to taunt the readers of the letter and at one point, seems to become more emotionally influenced. He does realize though, that if he allows his emotions to dictate his writing, that the clergy will become more angry and possibly throw the letter away without finishing. This would have defeated Dr. King's purpose in Birmingham and the purpose of his letter. As an alternative, King mentions irrefutable events and facts. He recalls unjust treatment in the courts, bombings of homes, and general brutality towards Negroes. King is appalled at the clergy's mention that the police worked hard towards keeping order and preventing violence, to the point where they should be commended. He says, "I doubt that you would[ ]commend the policemen[ ]If you were to watch them push and curse old Negro women and young Negro girls" (154). King makes no reference in the letter to the powerful water hoses and the German shepherd police dogs that were used by the firemen and the policemen of Birmingham against demonstrators as directed by police commissioner Eugene ("Bull") Connor. However, he does make reference to Connor's directives regarding the treatment of black inmates and demonstrators. He cites the refusal of the policemen to provide them food because they wanted to sing grace together.
King shows the ongoing refusal of the whites of Birmingham to truly negotiate in good faith. There had been compromises with area vendors to stop demonstrating as long as the merchants took down the degrading racially based signs from their establishments.
