“Letter from Birmingham Jail,” by Martin Luther King
Jr.
This
piece is generally about Martin Luther responding to the criticism brought
forth by his fellow clergymen. Martin
Luther King Jr. was imprisoned with some of his fellow protesters for demonstrating
in Birmingham. In jail, he writes this letter to give his fellow clergymen an
understanding of why he is in Birmingham in the first place. Martin Luther King
Jr. explains that he and his associates in the Alabama Christian Movement for
Human Rights were “asked on a call to engage in a non-violent direct-action
program”. While this letter is very explicit about the equality of all races,
it is also very implicit about the differences between races.
This
piece was mainly written for his fellow clergymen. I can tell because when he
is writing, it is insinuated that those are the people he is addressing.
Nevertheless, there are other people who may be interested in a piece like
this. For example; the general public who are not as educated on the aspect of
racism and other human rights leaders. People are naturally inquisitive and this
would be a great piece to read because it holds so much information. It also
helps people to know about a man who doesn’t lose hope even when in a jail cell
and still tries to negotiate so that his people can have a better future.
This
piece was written for all who are open-minded and are open to change. It is
quite easy to tell because when Martin Luther King Jr. is addressing his
audience, he gives examples of all these problems and some of the solutions
that he could brainstorm. So those who are willing to take action would have a
clue of where to start.
Martin
Luther King wants me to believe that all races should be treated with equality.
They are all different and they all have their pros and cons but we should not
just cast another race aside because they are not like us. Difference is what
makes the world go round. If we were all the same, we would never be able to
survive because different people bring different things to the table. I as a
reader am left with a need to always take into account other people’s opinions.
Even though I may not want to listen, trying won’t hurt me. In addition to
that, I may actually gain some useful knowledge.
Martin
Luther King Jr. wrote this letter. His personality strongly came through the
letter through the way he composed his work. He had a formal but polite and
respectful tone. He seemed to be self-assured that if we give others a chance,
we will be surprised what good may come from it. Martin Luther King Jr. gives
the impression of being an open-minded negotiable person.
