Martin Luther King was born on 15th of January in Atlanta, Georgia in 1929. He is a phenomenon man who has made life changing contributions to America by voicing his, social, political, and racial views about the injustices committed to the people with color. He was faced with opposition, but being a strong man, he was able to conquer the opposition, and fight for the rights of the blacks. Martin Luther had many leadership qualities that helped him push his agenda of justice, and equality for all forward. He was a passionate and fascinating leader that changed the lives of many millions around the globe.
In his Letter from Birmingham Jail, he portrayed his superb persuasive communication skills. The Letter from Birmingham Jail was written in 1963 by Martin Luther King, at the time when African Americans were facing a series of injustices in the South as a result of racial segregation. It was a response to the Eight Alabama Clergymen’s public statements that termed his actions as imprudent, and inconvenient (King 12). In this letter, Martin addressed the clergymen who criticized him for his efforts of using non-violent demonstrations as a way of public disruption to advance the cause of racial integration. King Jr. in his letter from the Birmingham Jail puts it clear to the clergymen that, they have to do something about inequality, and injustice. Martin was very clear about his cause to stop racial discrimination, and he was determined to lead his people into gaining equality. In the letter, Martin says, "We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed" (King 290). Dr. King wanted the chains of segregation, and injustices against the black people be broken through non-violent protests. In addition, he wrote that he cannot sit and watch injustice continue, and the clergymen must act. He tells them that, they should fight oppression, and should not let injustices prevail.
Martin Luther King was a credible author because, despite the fact that he is already in jail, he writes a letter to make clear his cause for the struggle for human rights. From the beginning of his letter, one realizes that he is a passionate man, and passionate about what he was writing. He wrote a persuasive letter to the clergy men about segregation, and why they should fight against it. He intended to persuade his audience through his letter of the injustices being done, and his cause was to stop these injustices, and bring equality to all people. He states to the clergy men that it was not the first time he was protesting for the rights of people with color, and segregation. He proves to the clergymen that he has been protesting against segregation throughout the South. Dr. King is persuasive in his letter by telling the clergymen that it is time to protest because they have waited long enough, and nothing is being done (King 289). Moreover, he is honest and a loyal man because, he even asks for forgiveness in the letter if he wrote anything that is unreasonable, and overstating the truth.
In essence, Martin Luther King was a charismatic and transitional leader who has left a lasting legacy in the United States. He was on the front in the fight for equality for all, and racial segregation. He fought to make sure that all people got equal chances despite their race, gender and color. His legacy has brought a lot of changes in America, and he will always be remembered as an effective orator, and passionate organizer of social movements which brought equality In America. In his letter, he was persuading the clergymen and the rest of the people to join him in the fight for equality for all.
Works Cited
King, Martin Luther, Jr. “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” 75 Arguments: An Anthology. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2008. 279-295. Print.
King, Martin Luther. I Have a Dream: Letter from Birmingham Jail. New York: Perfection Learning Corporation, 2007. Print.
King, Martin Luther. Letter from the Birmingham Jail. New York: Harper One, 1994. Print.
