Letter From Birmingham Jail Summary
Understanding the Understood
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. produced many literary works that have maintained lasting impressions on their readers, his piece called “A Letter from Birmingham Jail” is no different. This letter was written as a response to another letter, titled “A Call for Unity,” which was written by eight clergymen on April 12, 1963 and criticized Dr. King’s protest as being untimely. The clergymen agreed that social injustices existed but that they should be settled through the judicial system and not in an “untimely” manner on the streets. “Seldom, if ever, do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all of the criticisms that cross my desk,…I would have no time for constructive work.”(pg.1) Dr. …show more content…
King there are two types of laws, you have just laws and unjust laws. “Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust” (pg.3). Dr. King distinguishes between the two very clearly in his letter. He goes on to talk about each law, just and unjust, and gives thorough examples of each. He is of course talking about how discrimination and segregation is unjust. “For instance, I was arrested Friday on a charge of parading without a permit. Now there is nothing wrong with an ordinance which requires a permit for a parade, but when the ordinance is used to preserve segregation and to deny citizens the First amendment privilege of peaceful assembly and peaceful protest, then it becomes unjust” (pg.3). This is a great example because Martin accepts the fact that he was arrested for “parading” without a permit. But this is unjust because the ordinance was used to preserve segregation. I found this ironic that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was getting this ticket when in fact the officer whom was writing the ticket should be thrown in jail for violating the first amendment. In my opinion, I agree with this letter in its entirety. I too believe that everyone has certain natural rights. In my opinion ‘moral law’ does exist. His examples of just and unjust laws are shared by many, and if not, they are at least shared by
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. produced many literary works that have maintained lasting impressions on their readers, his piece called “A Letter from Birmingham Jail” is no different. This letter was written as a response to another letter, titled “A Call for Unity,” which was written by eight clergymen on April 12, 1963 and criticized Dr. King’s protest as being untimely. The clergymen agreed that social injustices existed but that they should be settled through the judicial system and not in an “untimely” manner on the streets. “Seldom, if ever, do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all of the criticisms that cross my desk,…I would have no time for constructive work.”(pg.1) Dr. …show more content…
King there are two types of laws, you have just laws and unjust laws. “Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust” (pg.3). Dr. King distinguishes between the two very clearly in his letter. He goes on to talk about each law, just and unjust, and gives thorough examples of each. He is of course talking about how discrimination and segregation is unjust. “For instance, I was arrested Friday on a charge of parading without a permit. Now there is nothing wrong with an ordinance which requires a permit for a parade, but when the ordinance is used to preserve segregation and to deny citizens the First amendment privilege of peaceful assembly and peaceful protest, then it becomes unjust” (pg.3). This is a great example because Martin accepts the fact that he was arrested for “parading” without a permit. But this is unjust because the ordinance was used to preserve segregation. I found this ironic that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was getting this ticket when in fact the officer whom was writing the ticket should be thrown in jail for violating the first amendment. In my opinion, I agree with this letter in its entirety. I too believe that everyone has certain natural rights. In my opinion ‘moral law’ does exist. His examples of just and unjust laws are shared by many, and if not, they are at least shared by