Doel Diaz
PHI 238
10/23/2017
ML King vs. the Clergy
Section one of the 13th Amendment states the following, “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” This amendment was passed by congress on January 31, 1865, which officially declared the abolishment of slavery in the United States. Since then, there has been long animosity between races living in the United States, simply because of the color of their skin. Racism reached its peak among blacks and whites during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sought to end segregation in …show more content…
King’s response to the clergymen; it is best to address their arguments in why they do not support King’s actions. The clergymen in their letter titled A Call for Unity believe the demonstrations taking place are “unwise and untimely.” Instead, they are in favor of negotiations between black leaders and city officials. In this letter, the clergymen go on to state that the protest taking place, although peaceful in nature, have become violent and hate-filled (A Call for Unity). Of course, it would be foolish of anyone not to take in consideration the racial tensions taking place in their time. It makes sense for them to call off those protest because of the violence that ensues. However, the clergymen are wrong in praising law enforcement in how they handled the protest, stating “We commend the community as a whole, and the local news media and law enforcement officials in particular, on the calm manner in which these demonstrations have been handled” (A Call for Unity). Later, I will address how Dr. King responds to this claim. In the letter written by the clergymen, they urge the public “to show restraint should the demonstrations continue,” as well as, completely “withdraw support from these demonstrations” ( A Call for Unity). In other words, they are asking the public to refrain from practicing their first amendment rights, which is clearly wrong. In the end, the clergymen’s solution is to press these matters in the courts and have sound …show more content…
Martin Luther King, Jr’s response letter, famously known as a Letter from Birmingham Jail, he acknowledges these objections against him. As previously mentioned, the eight clergymen strongly believed the demonstrations being held were “unwise and untimely.” King firmly replies by reminding the clergy that Birmingham has had a long history of injustices towards blacks, which has been the result of the city’s strong white power structure. Furthermore, as Dr. King stated, it has “left the Negro community with no alternative” but to continue to peacefully protest (King 406). Instead of protesting, the clergymen were in strong favor of other alternatives. Such as resolving issues through the court system and through peaceful negotiations. Unfortunately, the court system in Birmingham has shown an inconstancy in bringing justice to the negro community. As Dr. King points out, blacks have experienced “grossly unjust treatment in the courts,” seeing as how bombings of homes and churches go unsolved (King 406). In addition, King makes it clear to the clergymen that it is in fact the city leaders that refuse to take part in negotiations (King 407). One of the clergymen’s larger concern dealt with the violence that ensued during demonstrations. The clergymen even go as far as to commend the police for their handling of the protests. The clergymen fail to see the inhumane treatment by Birmingham police on those peacefully protesting. As Dr. King puts it simply, “I doubt that you
PHI 238
10/23/2017
ML King vs. the Clergy
Section one of the 13th Amendment states the following, “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” This amendment was passed by congress on January 31, 1865, which officially declared the abolishment of slavery in the United States. Since then, there has been long animosity between races living in the United States, simply because of the color of their skin. Racism reached its peak among blacks and whites during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sought to end segregation in …show more content…
King’s response to the clergymen; it is best to address their arguments in why they do not support King’s actions. The clergymen in their letter titled A Call for Unity believe the demonstrations taking place are “unwise and untimely.” Instead, they are in favor of negotiations between black leaders and city officials. In this letter, the clergymen go on to state that the protest taking place, although peaceful in nature, have become violent and hate-filled (A Call for Unity). Of course, it would be foolish of anyone not to take in consideration the racial tensions taking place in their time. It makes sense for them to call off those protest because of the violence that ensues. However, the clergymen are wrong in praising law enforcement in how they handled the protest, stating “We commend the community as a whole, and the local news media and law enforcement officials in particular, on the calm manner in which these demonstrations have been handled” (A Call for Unity). Later, I will address how Dr. King responds to this claim. In the letter written by the clergymen, they urge the public “to show restraint should the demonstrations continue,” as well as, completely “withdraw support from these demonstrations” ( A Call for Unity). In other words, they are asking the public to refrain from practicing their first amendment rights, which is clearly wrong. In the end, the clergymen’s solution is to press these matters in the courts and have sound …show more content…
Martin Luther King, Jr’s response letter, famously known as a Letter from Birmingham Jail, he acknowledges these objections against him. As previously mentioned, the eight clergymen strongly believed the demonstrations being held were “unwise and untimely.” King firmly replies by reminding the clergy that Birmingham has had a long history of injustices towards blacks, which has been the result of the city’s strong white power structure. Furthermore, as Dr. King stated, it has “left the Negro community with no alternative” but to continue to peacefully protest (King 406). Instead of protesting, the clergymen were in strong favor of other alternatives. Such as resolving issues through the court system and through peaceful negotiations. Unfortunately, the court system in Birmingham has shown an inconstancy in bringing justice to the negro community. As Dr. King points out, blacks have experienced “grossly unjust treatment in the courts,” seeing as how bombings of homes and churches go unsolved (King 406). In addition, King makes it clear to the clergymen that it is in fact the city leaders that refuse to take part in negotiations (King 407). One of the clergymen’s larger concern dealt with the violence that ensued during demonstrations. The clergymen even go as far as to commend the police for their handling of the protests. The clergymen fail to see the inhumane treatment by Birmingham police on those peacefully protesting. As Dr. King puts it simply, “I doubt that you