FREE ESSAY ON LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL - MLK - SUMMARY

LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL - MLK - SUMMARY

"Letter from Birmingham Jail" is a clearly written essay that explains the reasons behind,
and the methods of nonviolent civil disobedience, and gently expresses King's
disappointment with those who are generally supportive of equal rights for
African-Americans. Martin Luther King, more than any other figure, shaped American life
from the mid-'50s to the late '60s. This was a time when large numbers of Americans,
barely recognized as such by sanctioned power, dared to dream of what the country could
be at its best, in the face of what often was its worst. For example, in December, 1955,
days after Montgomery civil rights activist Rosa Parks refused to obey the city's rules
mandating segregation on buses, a bus boycott was launched and King was elected as
president of the newly formed Montgomery Improvement Association. As the boycott
continued through 1956, King gained national prominence as a result of his exceptional
oratorical skills and personal courage. Despite attempts to suppress the movement,
Montgomery buses were desegregated in December 1956, after the United States Supreme
Court declared Alabama's segregation laws unconstitutional. King's leadership took place
during the most tumultuous period in America's recent past. Under his guidance, the
unfathomable goal of abolishing federal and state-sanctioned segregation and
discrimination was accomplished in only a few short years.
King's factual and reasoned approach is intended to win his adversaries over by appealing
to their consciences. King works with a rhetorical tradition not only because it is
effectual but also because it resonates with the deepest aspect of his calling which was
to spread the gospel of brotherhood and justice (152). From his peaceful persuasion, to
imaginative solutions in changing times to the power of hope, optimism, nonviolence
strategy, and finally to the need for a great dream, these valuable applications are
comprehensive instruments for taking courageous action under even the most difficult of
circumstances. Above all, King follows his method of careful reasoning and is convinced
that his arguments will persuade his audience (153).
King was asked by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to aid in the struggle for
civil rights in Birmingham, Alabama. Thus, he was there because injustice was present
(154). He was not content with a system that saw his people or people of any color, as
second class citizens. He set out to bring equality for people everywhere. So often they
had become victims of broken promise (155). As a result, he was determined to create an
unstoppable organization, reshape a struggle and with his articulated vision, craft a
strategy that took defeats and turned them into victories. Although fellow clergymen
urged him not to come to Birmingham, he could not sit idly and be unconcerned with the
maddening demonstrations that were taking place. 
King, quickly realized that the best strategy to liberate African-Americans and gain them
rights was to use nonviolent forms of protest. He wanted to eliminate the use of violence
as a means to manage and establish cooperative ways of interacting. "Injustice anywhere
is a threat to justice everywhere" (154). After all, he knew that any violence on the
part of his civil rights workers would lead to violent counterattacks from
segregationists. He knew this would only lead his followers to injury and death. "The
purpose of our direct action is to create a situation so crisis-packed that it will
inevitably open the door to negotiation" (156). Nonviolence put his followers on the
moral high ground and made the brutality of racists very apparent. In this way, King won
many allies and gained passages of the civil rights bills of 1964 and 1965.
Not only did King concentrate on non-violence in order to liberate African-Americans, but
he also felt it was necessary that his message be important to all people regardless of
race or class. This explained his disillusionment with the white moderate. King confessed
his disappointment with the white moderate for their devotion to order rather than to
justice (161). He had hoped that the white moderate would recognize that desegregation
simply removes legal and social prohibitions. He knew that collective ideas were more
creative and more profound. King hoped to awaken the white moderate from their great
moral and political sleep that had deepened. He wanted them to recognize the continuing
urgency for democracy. In the meantime, he was appalled by the silence of the moral
people. As a result, people with ill will had utilized time much more effectively than
had the people of good will (162).
I believe that Martin Luther King was one of the twentieth century's most influential men
and lived one of its most extraordinary lives. He represented a monumental undertaking: a
monument to the many individuals and circumstances encountered in the effort to secure
the fundamental rights of citizenship. Most importantly, King was a Christian minister
and his turn the other cheek philosophy represented some of the best principles for
creating harmony among all people, regardless of race or religion. He courageously
rebelled against segregation and proved to be a dedicated young minister who continually
embodied the depths of his faith and the magnitude of his wisdom. Though we lost him far
too soon, his words and deeds continue to inspire, provoke, educate and comfort.