“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.