The Non-Proclaimed Guilt of the White Christian Moderate
1,342 Words
In Martin Luther King Jr’s, “Letter from Birmingham Jail, written in August of 1963, he addresses the “Call for Unity” written by the eight clergymen of Alabama in response to ongoing protests. King was clearly targeted in this letter, which we are able to see by the clergymen's constant regard to peaceful protesting - which King initially began promoting within the city. These rallies were in regards to the racial inequality and segregation that were persistently worsening in the city of Birmingham. Regardless of the obvious lack of rights that the African American people had, the white christian moderate, along with the clergymen decided against taking action towards ending …show more content…
King tells the people of Birmingham the correct way that racial injustice should be handled, and furthermore justifies the mutinies for spreading awareness to all. Dr. King further supports his action of peaceful protesting by arguing that he has the moral right to address the inequality and injustice inflicted on the African American people of Birmingham, Alabama. He argues that his method of rallying - which was intended not to be violent on their side - was extremely necessary in order for the state to take the people involved seriously, and also stated that it was the duty of citizens to disobey laws that were unjust. While the protesters remained non-violent, the police bureau and white moderate did not hold back their anger, and took violent action upon them regardless of their innocence. King writes this response in hopes that the people of Birmingham will take action with him, and so …show more content…
He goes on to address the praise given by the clergymen to the police bureau of Birmingham, because evidently this praise was undeserving. The officers were extremely violent in their attempts to cease ongoing rallies, whereas the protestors were only trying to have their voices and opinions heard, without chaotic efforts. To prove this claim, King gives several examples of, “...dogs sinking their teeth into unarmed, nonviolent Negroes…[pushing] and [cursing] old Negro women and young Negro girls…[slapping] and [kicking] old Negro men and young boys…” (69, p. 45). These examples are just a few of the violent occurrences during the time of protesting, and yet the clergymen were still commending officers for the “calm manner” in which they supposedly handled these people in. Dr. King’s reasoning for giving the several examples of violence incurred by the police officers was his way of undoing the honor given to them by the clergy. He further states to the audience that, “Abused and scorned [they] may be, [their] destiny is tied up with America’s destiny.” (68, p. 44). This is King’s way of informing his readers that regardless of the hardship that the African American people have endured, they
1,342 Words
In Martin Luther King Jr’s, “Letter from Birmingham Jail, written in August of 1963, he addresses the “Call for Unity” written by the eight clergymen of Alabama in response to ongoing protests. King was clearly targeted in this letter, which we are able to see by the clergymen's constant regard to peaceful protesting - which King initially began promoting within the city. These rallies were in regards to the racial inequality and segregation that were persistently worsening in the city of Birmingham. Regardless of the obvious lack of rights that the African American people had, the white christian moderate, along with the clergymen decided against taking action towards ending …show more content…
King tells the people of Birmingham the correct way that racial injustice should be handled, and furthermore justifies the mutinies for spreading awareness to all. Dr. King further supports his action of peaceful protesting by arguing that he has the moral right to address the inequality and injustice inflicted on the African American people of Birmingham, Alabama. He argues that his method of rallying - which was intended not to be violent on their side - was extremely necessary in order for the state to take the people involved seriously, and also stated that it was the duty of citizens to disobey laws that were unjust. While the protesters remained non-violent, the police bureau and white moderate did not hold back their anger, and took violent action upon them regardless of their innocence. King writes this response in hopes that the people of Birmingham will take action with him, and so …show more content…
He goes on to address the praise given by the clergymen to the police bureau of Birmingham, because evidently this praise was undeserving. The officers were extremely violent in their attempts to cease ongoing rallies, whereas the protestors were only trying to have their voices and opinions heard, without chaotic efforts. To prove this claim, King gives several examples of, “...dogs sinking their teeth into unarmed, nonviolent Negroes…[pushing] and [cursing] old Negro women and young Negro girls…[slapping] and [kicking] old Negro men and young boys…” (69, p. 45). These examples are just a few of the violent occurrences during the time of protesting, and yet the clergymen were still commending officers for the “calm manner” in which they supposedly handled these people in. Dr. King’s reasoning for giving the several examples of violence incurred by the police officers was his way of undoing the honor given to them by the clergy. He further states to the audience that, “Abused and scorned [they] may be, [their] destiny is tied up with America’s destiny.” (68, p. 44). This is King’s way of informing his readers that regardless of the hardship that the African American people have endured, they