Analysis of “I Have a Dream” and “Letter to Birmingham Jail” In the “Letter to Birmingham Jail” Martin Luther King addresses the criticisms and objections that the white clergymen had made towards his and his affiliated organization’s efforts in trying to end segregation and achieve his and his people’s birth right: the right to be free through nonviolent means. Through the “I Have a Dream Speech” King speaks to his supporters and as well as to the entire nation to make them be fully aware of the injustices they are facing and through this make them stand up to those injustices. Both “Letter to Birmingham Jail” and “I Have a Dream Speech” have the same underlying meaning however. That way too long have the black community been treated wrongly. That way too long have the black nation been “judged by the color of their skin rather than the content of their character (King 815)” and therefore it is time for them to rise and stand up for their rights.
This phrase, and indeed, his whole letter, instigated the continuation of King’s and his supporter’s direct action campaigns. King’s defence displayed his belief that non-violent direct action was incredibly important, as any other approach, specifically the attack of Black people within America, was evil, King wrote, ‘‘[non-violent direct action is] a courageous confrontation of evil by the power of love’’.3 Without the use of violence, King and many others, comprising mainly of Black children and teenagers went ahead with the protest march on the
Dr. King fought his whole career for equality amongst the races, meaning all communities with violent, racist actions should be addressed. The clergymen presented Dr. King with a list of arguments they had against him; he responded to these in his Letter from a Birmingham Jail. A few of the arguments King responded to from the clergymen were to have local solutions to local problems; to pursue justice in the courts, not the streets; and to keep peace, law, and order among all. Corwin 2 The clergymen of Alabama were clearly against any outsiders coming into their territory. They had called Dr. King an outsider to the Birmingham community.
Malcolm X is best known for being called one of the greatest and most influential African American civil rights activists in history. He is also well known as an African American Muslim minister who preached human rights later in his life and career. He fought day in and out for what he considered was right. It is important to understand that he was one the first African American’s to speak out against the white man in America in the most brutally honest terms he could justify which makes him instantly significant in American history. What made Malcolm X a great debater was his passion for what he truly believed was right, it was his rage against the white man in America that he resented and resisted everything that America stood for; to some
King does not take insult to the clergymen’s criticism but he gently counter argues every point they bring up. Letter from Birmingham was a great response to Dr. King’s critics about his actions in Birmingham. He does a great job appealing to their emotions, religious beliefs, and uses logic to answer all their questions. He was an advocacy for equality and fought to his last breath to make sure that the blacks would get the same treatment as
His refusal to give up and even die for the sake of this “holy cause” is very moving and brought people to oppose slavery. “All men are created equal” as stated in the Declaration of Independence was not entirely true and Garrison stood by that and the truths of divine revelation (Document E). Another important piece of literature that brought attention to life as a slave was a narrative from a slave himself, Frederick Douglass. Douglass was a former slave who fought with a white man who oversaw him. This specific fight made Douglass very eager for freedom.
Almost a lifetime ago, a man name Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech to the nation called “I Have a Dream”. The speech showed how our Fore Father’s promising word of “equality for all men” was denied to a group of citizens in “our great nation”. Dr. King giving his speech was a major stepping stone in the right direction. The speech was meant to end racism and extinguishes segregation. The speech was a powerful, passionate agreement for equality for all.
Martin Luther King Jr. Assassinated Martin Luther King Jr. was a great man. He inspired many people. He didn’t get what color you were he loved all. He spoke out for justice to African Americans, for an end to racial discrimination, and against the laws that embodied it and the many subtle and unconscious behaviors and assumptions that were supported by those laws. Racial discrimination in the United States had resulted in many unnecessary and unjust deaths, and the despair and hopelessness of generations.
This is probably the most heartbreaking assertion Martin Luther King ever makes . He feels as if the church has shirked its responsibilities to the African American people, hiding behind “anesthetizing security of stained-glass windows”. I totally agree with , Dr. Martin Luther King’s , take on ,” Just and Unjust laws .” “There are many just and unjust laws; ones which should be followed in order to be a moral person, and laws in which you must disobey for conscious sake in order to be a moral person .” This is the answer Martin Luther King had given when the clergymen wanted to know why he was breaking laws .” Laws are made to protect the people , not to degrade and punish them .” As far as Dr. Martin Luther King , is concerned, the African American would continue to do whatever was necessary, preferably non-violently, to obtain the legal and moral right that was theirs
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.