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.
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.
However it does not end there, in Act 4 a further change occurs in the behaviour of Reverend John Hale. Hale begins to visit those who will not confess and persuades them to lie to save themselves. He turns completely against the Puritan rules and persuades people to do something that they know, to be good Christians, they must not do. When he tells Elizabeth to persuade Proctor to lie he puts forward his main argument: “God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride.” This point in “The Crucible” shows how just how Hale has changed from the cold strict scholar, to the worried man looking only for what he believes to be right. Eventually Elizabeth persuades Proctor to confess and Hale encourages Danforth to speed up the process of the confession: “(quickly to Danforth) Let him sign it,let him sign it” showing that Hale wants to get it over with to prevent Proctor from getting too annoyed.
Michael Lobato Prof. Bristol English 122/ CR #1 20 August 2008 Belief in Religion One way to go about religion is to believe in what your parents believe in. The other way is to believe in what you think is right. Just like Tom Paine talks about in this brief passage “What I Believe.” I think the purpose for writing the story was not only to pass time while in a prison cell, but it was to influence his fellow citizens to think for themselves. “I intend it to be the last offering I should make to my fellow citizens of all nations, and that at a time when purity if the motive that induced me to it could not admit of a question, even by those who might disapprove of the work”(99). I imagine what Pane is trying to say is that
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).
AP Language & Composition Sample Responses to Questions on MLK’s Letter from Birmingham Jail Read as a response to the letter by the clergymen, King’s essay can be approached as a shrewd argument that shows a thorough understanding of its immediate audience. Following his introduction, in paragraphs 2-3 King explains why he is not an ousider; in paragraphs 5-11, he explains how his organization has tried to negotiate and how it will again; in paragraphs 12-14, he refutes the accusation that his organization’s actions are untimely; and in paragraphs 15-22 he presents an argument justifying civil disobedience. In each case, King deftly crafts his response to show that he, in fact, agrees with the claim the clergymen make, but he redefines the terms for them. For example, he agrees that outsiders should not intrude in community issues; then he shows that he is an insider by virtue of his position in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, his concern for justice, and his belief that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Thus, King systematically, logically, and (one might argue) respectfully responds to each claim made against him. After these counterarguments, he mounts his own argument.
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.
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.
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
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.