What is an unjust law? An unjust law according to Dr. King Jr. is one that “degrades human personality.” The clergy men, in their letter, urge the “Negro citizenry to observe the principles of law and order and common sense.” Addressing their argument Dr. Martin Luther King expresses his thoughts on the laws. He agrees with the clergymen, that laws are meant to be followed, but then goes on to say that just because something is a law does not mean that it is just. “For instance, I have been arrested on a charge of parading without a permit. Now, there is nothing wrong in having an ordinance which requires a permit for a parade.
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.
was against the traditional views and unjust laws, which discriminated against him and his fellow people. He felt that the only way that these unjust laws and traditional beliefs would ever change would be by protestesting. He also felt that without protest the laws and traditions would remain the same forever. Along with encouraging protest, King's letter was also a justification of his actions. By taking the time to answer his critics (or persecutors, as he is in prison) with patience, logic and intelligence, as opposed to retaliating, King was also able to justify his actions.
In creating a distrustful role of the council, this not all serves to sensationalise the issue and capture the fitting of the audience but to boot it arouses sympathy for the Greenville residents in its spell to abuse of residents rights and financial burdens. The image used in the piece compliments Walsh’s arguments and contention that the government has a belittling power over the community. From the beginning, Walsh’s use of inclusive language “residents of Greenville (including me)” elevates his understanding of the issue and strengthens his argument as he positions himself to be speaking on behalf of the community. In a cynical tone, Walsh loads his opening paragraphs with highly emotive language “captive”, “blatant abuse” and “nasty”. In creating a distrustful image of the council, this not only serves to sensationalise the issue and capture the engagement of the audience but additionally it arouses sympathy for the Greenville residents in its appeal to “abuse of residents’ rights” and financial burdens.
Martin Luther King and president Abraham Lincoln had some similarities, which lead Martin Luther King to agree yet disagree with his council. The thought as to how both Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King both thought that it would be tragic if an anarchy would establish; was key. Violence and the way one would reason with society was also another important aspect when it came to the council and Martin Luther King’s views in regards to the whole segregation and civil rights ordeal. Civil disobedience was King’s main point in his fight for rights of all colored people in the United States, which would allow convincing Lincoln’s beliefs that were necessary to secure order and perpetuate our institutions. The establishment of anarchy made everyone in any kind of society to be frightened, if they aren’t use to having some sort of public government.
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.
Oxholm 1 Olivia Oxholm Cole AP Lang October 7, 2012 Civil Disobedience and Letter From A Birmingham Jail Comparison In writing Civil Disobedience , Thoreau attempts to motivate the American people to change. He stresses the responsibility of citizens to protest and take action against corrupt and unjust laws of the government. His angry disposition is obvious from the beginning through the fact that he chooses to start with the statement that “government is best which governs least” and takes it a step further to say that “government is best which governs not at all”. Meaning, that the most ideal form of government is one that enforces the least amount of power over its people. As for Martin Luther King Jr., he also writes to show
Racis Speach Responce paper Any time the goverment banns anything especaly speach it is a dangerous propazistion and should not be taken lightly. The essay wretten by Charles R Lawrence III intilded On Racist Speech makes a good point reguarding this idea saying "Freedom of speach is the life blood of our democratic system"(Lawrence,57). Freedom of speach has been one thing that has defined America over the years. Though it may pain people up holding freedom of speach should be priorety for all Americans It is not a matter of racist speach being outlawing all togeather, but a matter of restriction. The goverment has already restricted racest speach, Lawernce explans this when he writes "but the regulation of otherwise protected speech has been permitted when the speach invades the privacy of the unwilling listeners home or when the unwilling listener cannot avoid the speach"(Lawrence,57).
Antigone knows that by the law of the gods leaving a body uncovered is morally unjust. Martin Luther King addresses this very issue in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Although it was written 2,000 years later, it speaks to a similar topic, which civil disobedience. “An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law” (King 3). Antigone’s actions follow along with King’s four steps towards civil disobedience although there are differences because of the eras. Antigone responds to Creon’s edict with civil disobedience as King
Kelly Mammen English 101 September 16, 2009 Professor Jay Judgment Day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. uses logos to show his readers how their judgments and actions are wrong. He states “In your statement you assert that our actions even though peaceful, must be condemned because they precipitate violence” (60). He goes on to give examples on situations where innocent people’s actions precipitate violence and how they should be protected and not condemned. One of his examples was someone who has money that is robbed, they would never be condemned because they had the money, and the same consideration should be given to Negroes because they were just exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and protest. King