‘Letter from Birmingham jail’ was written by martin Luther king on April 16th, 1963. The letter, also known as ‘the negro is your brother’ is an open letter that was written by king against the statement, ‘A call for unity’ that was made by eight white clergymen from Alabama. This paper intends to discuss the letter from Birmingham jail and several other related aspects.
Martin in his open letter addressed Alabama clergymen and argued against the accusations that were leveled upon him by the clergymen. The statement from clergymen and letter from martin Luther king appeared after king was arrested for participating in a peaceful protest, Birmingham campaign. Clergymen admitted that there are some injustices in the society against African Americans but they opposed the moves of martin Luther king. They said that king is an outsider who is disturbing the peace of Birmingham by his extremist approach and unwise ideas. King was further blamed by clergies for creating tension between the communities in the said statement. They said that all the injustices should be challenged in the courts and assemblies and not on the streets.
Martin was stimulated to write this letter because he was aggrieved by unfair accusations that were leveled upon king by white clergies. King through his letter rebutted all the allegations against him and clarified his part. King uses ethos, bathos and logos in his letter to thrust aside the accusations and presents his own perspective in a comprehensible manner. King expresses his dissatisfaction over the allegations and replies each and every allegation that was leveled against him. He denies that he is outsider and says that anyone who is from the United States of America is an insider and not an outsider in any sense. He refutes the charges that he, along with his comrades, is disturbing the people of Birmingham. He says that his protests were non violent and peaceful.
King uses very strapping words like ‘majestic heights’ and ‘dark depths’ to express his views and while addressing clergies. He says that it is good to suggest a person to not to disturb the peace of people but it is not good to remain silent on the issues and condition of the people who are oppressed and are unheard. King says he was compelled to raise the voice of millions because they were not given what they deserved till the date. He further says that it is good to suggest for negotiations on any issue and not demonstrating but it is not good to remain silent on the issue of those who are underprivileged.
After having observed the abovementioned analysis of the ‘letter from Birmingham jail’, it is good to say that king has expressed his views in a very effective manner. He sounds very practical when he talks about the civil rights of African Americans. He advocates for the rights of underprivileged and suggests the clergies to not to blame him for raising the voices of people who are unheard. King in his letter writes that he is neither against anybody nor he intends to disturb the peace of Birmingham or anywhere else but he only urges for the civil rights of African Americans.
Work Cited
(Jr.), Martin Luther King. Letter from the Birmingham Jail. Canada: HarperCollins, 1994.
