Toulmin Analysis In the “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, King he responds to a letter written by eight, white Alabama Clergymen to the editor of a newspaper in Birmingham. He wants the audience to believe that the clergymen fail to discuss the circumstances that brought about the demonstrations in Birmingham. In September 1962, King had the opportunity to talk with the leaders of Birmingham economic community. The merchants made many promise such as how they would remove the stores’ racial signs. Upon these agreements, Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth, the leader of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights, (including Martin Luther King) had agreed to delay the peaceful demonstrations.
King’s dedication to the cause is irrefutable as he was arrested at least thirty times, one precise occasion for this occurring during a protest to eliminate segregation in restaurants and eating facilities in Birmingham, Alabama, April 16th. During this period of time in prison, King wrote his famous ‘Letter from a Birmingham Jail’ letter, defending his belief in non-violent protest. King addresses his letter to ‘My Dear Fellow Clergymen’, members of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights, an affiliate organisation of the SCLC, of which he was president. The influence of King’s letter can been seen as hugely significant, as it confronted the need for immediate action, honing in on and attacking the belief that King had “yet to engage in a direct action campaign that was ‘well timed’ in the view of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation”. This phrase, and indeed, his whole letter, instigated the continuation of King’s and his supporter’s direct action campaigns.
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.
Web. 30 January 2012. <http://www.lifeinitiativesinc.org/lakota.html>. "Tradition." n.d. dictionary.com.
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.
Jennifer Smith Prof Franco 3/26/2011 Engl 1213 Standing up One of the most known advocates for equality is Martin Luther King Jr. He’s had some of the most moving, convincing and change inducing speeches of all time. His “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is no exception. King wrote the letter from a Birmingham jail cell in April on 1963 following his arrest for public demonstration. In the beginning of the letter, King describes his reason for writing the letter as a response to the Clergymen’s statement calling his “present activities unwise and untimely. ” (King).
USA: The Unicersity of North CarolinaPress, 1964. Web. 1 Dec.
Golden to Jack Lyle, Subject “Data Regarding Black Journal.” NPBA Larry Williams, “Dixie Dialing- Monday’s Black Journal Will Focus On Solution,” The Commercial Appeal, January 24, 1969 BED George Gent, “TV Series for Bedford-Stuyvesant Begins Monday,” New York Times, April 5, 1968. Letters from viewers, BSRC files Melissa Harris Lacewell, Barbershops, Bibles and BET (THIS SHOULD BE IN BIBLIO—look for Lacewell) Wilson Walton, Brooklyn, NY, to IBS, 24 Apr. 1968, unarchived records of the Bedrofrd Stuyvesant Redevelopment Corporation Postcard from unknown author, May 1, 1968 Thomas George, Valley Cottage, NY, to the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, 26 April 1968 Say Brother Interview with Sarah Ann Shaw, WGBH
Martin Luther wrote a letter in response to the Eight White Clergymen. Using ethos, pathos and logos, King tried to persuade the church to adhere to the problems African Americans are facing. He let them know that what they wrote in their letter was not the completely accurate. Most importantly he told them even if the church does not come to aid, African Americans will still overcome their struggle and gain their freedom. “But even if the church does not come to the aid of justice, I have no despair about the future.” King kind of challenged the church; with or without them, African Americans will continue to strive.
Deal. 1991. Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership. Jossey-Bass Publishers Lincoln ,C. E. (1989, April).The Black church and Black self-determination. Paper presented at the Association of Black Foundation Executives, Kansas City, MO.