Letters From a Birmingham Jail

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In “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is responding to a letter from his fellow clergymen who were criticizing his actions taken against discrimination. Dr. King normally does not respond to critics because there are so many, but he takes the time to respond to this one because he feels he can convey his message. He is in Birmingham because that is where the injustice of discrimination is, and he has come to help. Dr. King says that they have tried all negotiations and have been let down by the results. Therefore, they will act with demonstrations and sit-ins to get their point across. Dr. King does not avoid any issue when confronted with it, but instead he remains calm and explains both why he does what he does and the results he expects to come from it. When asked why he advocates the breaking of the law when it seems unjust, he says, “I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal, but also a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” I would agree with St. Augustine, "an unjust law is no law at all." Martin Luther King brings up examples of how Christians broke the law when it went against the laws of the church and pertains it to the situation that he is in. Dr. King’s main argument to those who have written to him is that they do not really understand the situation. From their view, it seems as though he is being radical with his actions when he leads demonstrations or sit-ins or other things of that nature. Dr. King explains that they are not there witnessing the injustices that are taking place, not only against him, but also against all people who share his color. After reading this letter from Dr. King I feel really sympathetic to his cause. I find myself thinking that if I was there I am sure that I would have done something to

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