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.
Also, in his letter his tone was strong, but neither violent nor threatening towards the clergymen. Similarly, King portrays a sense of concern for the clergymen and they ways in which they are willing to obtain the peaceful ends they seek. He senses the still-present fear of the white community in the letter of complaints from the clergymen. King was offended by how the clergymen only planned on addressing the African American community for their actions while letting the whites go on with their violent and oppressive actions. Dr. King fought his whole career for equality amongst the races, meaning all communities with violent, racist actions should be addressed.
Isaiah Ryder Withrow Dr. Neiworth English 95 Thursday, March 12, 2015 MLK Jr. The Fight against Segregation. On April 16, 1963, from the jail of Birmingham, Martin Luther King Jr., has written a letter addressed to several clergymen who had written him a letter criticizing the actions of Dr. King, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) during the protests in Birmingham. Martian Luther King Jr. opens his letter in a subtly way “ If I sought to answer all the criticisms that crosses my desk, my securities would have little time for anything other than such correspondence in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work. But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and that your criticisms
These organizations were actually peaceful and nonviolent organization protesting racial inequality. Their nonviolent and peaceful approaches were the strategies that they used during the Civil Right Movement. The NAACP’s legal victories were the most successful in overturning the South’s systems of Jim Crow Laws, but the SCLC and SNCC received more media recognition. Martin Luther King Jr’s, (founder of SCLC) , goal was to coordinate peaceful protests in response to the Jim Crow Laws and the Montgomery Bus Boycott that had taken place in 1955. He had hoped that he could gather a momentum that would extend the support of black churches because black churches played a central role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Martin Luther King Jr.: Letter from Birmingham Jail This is a letter from Martin Luther King Jr. to the clergymen in response to their claim in a local newspaper that his protesting was “unwise and untimely.” This is an attempt to defend himself and his fellow protesters. He begins by explaining why he was in Birmingham and states that he is not an outsider. He was invited by the president of the Christian Leadership Conference to be there. [623] He stressed on the issue of injustice in this area and said he must “carry the gospel of freedom” wherever it is needed like Paul did in the Bible. He continues to say that while the protests were unfortunate, it is even more unfortunate that the black community was left with no other alternative action.
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.
Their exponents were witnesses for the faith, teachers and civic pillars. Other societies published Christian literature; notable among these was the American Bible Society (1816) and the American Tract Society (1826). Social activism spawned abolition groups, temperance andsuffrage societies, and others committed to prison reform, care for the handicapped and mentally ill. A noted proponent of such reforms was the evangelist Charles G. Finney. In addition to being an innovative evangelist whose techniques others would imitate, he held that the Gospel saved people, but also it was a means to reform society. True to his word, Finney was a fervent abolitionist and encouraged other Christians to get involved.
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
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.
His strong beliefs in god made him a person that wanted to apply his knowledge to created solutions and endings to this world of hates between black and white communities in the United States. After he finished college he became a pastor full of passion to fight with courage against the injustice. He created a six point keys that became his Philosophy that helped to encourage everyone to defend their civil rights. The first point talked about nonviolence and manipulation of making believe the other person that he is the one that is in the wrong side, with love and patience this point became very important. Secondly, was formed after Rosa Parks refused to give her sit to a white man giving segregation to Alabama.