Reflection of "Letter from Birmingham Jail"
Reflection of "Letter from Birmingham Jail"
As we know, Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman who famous as the leader of the civil rights movement in the United States and around the world. The core reading, "Letter from Birmingham Jail,” was written by him when he was confined in jail after being arrested in the Birmingham campaign[->0]. The "Letter from Birmingham Jail" is an open letter to all clergymen who were fighting for the civil rights of Negros in America and aim to explain the situation of the direct-action program and encourage fellow clergymen to stand up bravely and fight for freedom and democracy.
The letter was a respond to the statements made by some clergyman that deplored the demonstration taking place in Birmingham was "unwise and untimely." (King, pg.1) In the letter, Dr. King wrote about the status quo that Birmingham might be the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States. Also, Negroes were experiencing grossly unjust treatment and living in an abyss of suffering. Then, Dr. King began to refute the statements made by some clergyman completely. In the first place, the clergymen disapproved of the immense tension aroused by the direct action. To this, Dr. King explained that they were using nonviolent direct action in order to cause tension that would force the administration to face the issue. "The purpose of our direct-action program is to create a situation so crisis-packed that it will inevitably open the door to negotiation." (King, pg.2) He wrote. Dr. King thought that true civil rights could never be achieved without nonviolent forceful direct actions. Secondly, the clergymen blamed that the time of the demonstration was improper. However, Dr. King, confuting them totally, believed that, "This 'Wait ' has almost always meant 'Never. '" (King, pg.2) Dr. King declared that they had waited for these God given rights more than 340 years and that “justice too long delayed is justice denied.” (King, pg.2) He also
As we know, Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman who famous as the leader of the civil rights movement in the United States and around the world. The core reading, "Letter from Birmingham Jail,” was written by him when he was confined in jail after being arrested in the Birmingham campaign[->0]. The "Letter from Birmingham Jail" is an open letter to all clergymen who were fighting for the civil rights of Negros in America and aim to explain the situation of the direct-action program and encourage fellow clergymen to stand up bravely and fight for freedom and democracy.
The letter was a respond to the statements made by some clergyman that deplored the demonstration taking place in Birmingham was "unwise and untimely." (King, pg.1) In the letter, Dr. King wrote about the status quo that Birmingham might be the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States. Also, Negroes were experiencing grossly unjust treatment and living in an abyss of suffering. Then, Dr. King began to refute the statements made by some clergyman completely. In the first place, the clergymen disapproved of the immense tension aroused by the direct action. To this, Dr. King explained that they were using nonviolent direct action in order to cause tension that would force the administration to face the issue. "The purpose of our direct-action program is to create a situation so crisis-packed that it will inevitably open the door to negotiation." (King, pg.2) He wrote. Dr. King thought that true civil rights could never be achieved without nonviolent forceful direct actions. Secondly, the clergymen blamed that the time of the demonstration was improper. However, Dr. King, confuting them totally, believed that, "This 'Wait ' has almost always meant 'Never. '" (King, pg.2) Dr. King declared that they had waited for these God given rights more than 340 years and that “justice too long delayed is justice denied.” (King, pg.2) He also
References: King, M. L., Jr. (2012, June 10). Letter from Birmingham jail. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute. Retrieved from http://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu/