What kind of vision does MLK offer in the letter from Birmingham jail? A positive one to strive for or a negative one to avoid?
In his letter, Martin Luther King’s vision seems to be a negative one to avoid. He provides the recipients of the letter with a realistic view of what the circumstance of blacks actually is and what the effects of discrimination and segregation has caused. He ensures that the reader is aware of why he is taking action and why it is important for others to do the same. He consistently admonishes the reader for their view of the situation and explains to them why they are wrong.
How does he respond to the criticism that he is an outsider and that the action is untimely? Does the historical information in the eyes on the prize segment cause you to see his actions differently?
Martin Luther King begins his letter and spends the majority of his letter responding to his critics. He provides several reasons for being in Birmingham, and why he is not an outsider. He is very direct in this response. He uses several modes of persuasion in his explanation. He begins with an ethical appeal to advise of his credibility. He appeals to the emotions of the reader by providing examples of injustices towards blacks. And, he uses logic to explain the reason for being in Birmingham, the reasons he is not an outsider, the reasons he should be there and the reasons it is time for direct action.
I do not see the actions of Martin Luther King any different due to the historical information he provides. I do feel more respect for him as he has the ability to tie his cause to history and to make a very persuasive argument.
Martin Luther King states that there are two kinds of laws: just and unjust. He says that there is a moral responsibility to obey just laws as well as a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. He claims this to be true because he says that unjust laws are not actually laws. He appears to be appealing to the values held by Christians: a fundamental belief in right and wrong, a belief in God and obeying God.
Why do you think this became a key text for the civil rights movement?
I think this letter became a key text for the civil rights movement because it is very well written and provides a very persuasive argument for the movement. He gives many facts and makes references to the bible as well as world history which provides firm arguments for the cause.
How does the “How to start a movement” video intersect with this case study? Does it add anything? Seem irrelevant?
I think the video could tie slightly into the case study on Martin Luther King. However, most of it is irrelevant as the civil rights movement was a very serious matter that was long sought for.
