Injustice In Letter From Birmingham Jail

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Martin Luther King Junior became a warrior fighting for the injustices that burdened African Americans, spreading the gospel of freedom wherever it was needed. While working towards this cause King heard the cry of injustice in Birmingham, Alabama. Birmingham had become diseased by illegal segregation. King answered the call for help and agreed to lead a non-violent protest. He soon found himself wrongfully imprisoned and kept in a small jail cell. While in jail, King received a letter filled with criticisms from eight white clergymen. The religious leaders stated that King’s presence in Alabama was “unwise and untimely.” They also scolded him for breaking the law and causing tension and violence. While King was imprisoned he wrote “Letter…show more content…
He creates an understanding of values, by referring to the early Christians, Apostle Paul, and even Christ. While defending his being in Birmingham he states, “…just as the Apostle Paul…carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners…so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town.” He continues referring to their shared beliefs to further strengthen their common ground. After questioning the logic behind the clergy men’s statement pertaining to the non-violent protest precipitating violence King argues, “Isn’t this like condemning Jesus because his unique God-consciousness and never-ceasing devotion to God’s will precipitated the evil act of crucifixion?” King continually connects with his audience’s faith; he then begins targeting the religious leader’s deeper emotions. He begins to divulge on his personal experiences with the injustice of segregation. In the following quote he goes into detail why he cannot delay justice, “Perhaps it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say, “Wait.” But… when you have to concoct an answer for a five-year-old son who is asking, “Daddy, why do white people treat colored people so mean?”.” King also goes into detail about his daughter not being able to go to Fun Town, it was closed to blacks, and how painful it was to see her eyes fill with tears. He describes the change in her, “…and see her beginning to distort her personality by developing an unconscious bitterness towards white people.” He continues describing the heartache and struggles caused by discrimination and segregation to engage even deeper into his audience’s emotions. He applies this technique to help his audience better understand the extreme circumstances

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