“Letter from Birmingham Jail” is a letter written by Martin Luther King Jr. dated 16 April 1963. After being arrested for protesting in Birmingham, Alabama, eight white clergymen condemned Dr. King and wrote an article disagreeing with his actions in the local newspaper. Dr. King, in return, wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail” addressing the clergymen and their concerns.
“The Perpetuation of Our Political Institutions” is a speech written and delivered by Abraham Lincoln on 27 January 1838. This speech was prompted by the murder of abolitionist newspaper editor, Elijah Lovejoy, and was delivered to the Young Men’s Lyceum in Springfield, Illinois. This speech is also known as Abraham Lincoln’s Lyceum Address.
Martin Luther King Jr. focuses his letter on race, justice, civil disobedience, universal humanity, and individual action. Abraham Lincoln focuses his speech on national importance, slavery, mob violence, and the future of the United States. While these two gentlemen both have similar focal points in their respective writings, there are certain arguments that both men do not share the same stance on. …show more content…
and Abraham Lincoln discuss just and unjust laws in their writings. Dr. King explains in his letter that citizens of the United States have the responsibility and the right to break unjust laws. He goes on to explain that unjust laws give a false sense of superiority and “degrades human personality.” According to MLK, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Abraham Lincoln expresses in his speech that he is aware of the crisis presented to the United States by unjust laws. However, Lincoln urges for law-abiding citizens, even in accordance with unjust laws. Lincoln states, “But I do mean to say, that, although bad laws, if they exist, should be repealed as soon as possible, still while they continue in force…they should be religiously
“The Perpetuation of Our Political Institutions” is a speech written and delivered by Abraham Lincoln on 27 January 1838. This speech was prompted by the murder of abolitionist newspaper editor, Elijah Lovejoy, and was delivered to the Young Men’s Lyceum in Springfield, Illinois. This speech is also known as Abraham Lincoln’s Lyceum Address.
Martin Luther King Jr. focuses his letter on race, justice, civil disobedience, universal humanity, and individual action. Abraham Lincoln focuses his speech on national importance, slavery, mob violence, and the future of the United States. While these two gentlemen both have similar focal points in their respective writings, there are certain arguments that both men do not share the same stance on. …show more content…
and Abraham Lincoln discuss just and unjust laws in their writings. Dr. King explains in his letter that citizens of the United States have the responsibility and the right to break unjust laws. He goes on to explain that unjust laws give a false sense of superiority and “degrades human personality.” According to MLK, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Abraham Lincoln expresses in his speech that he is aware of the crisis presented to the United States by unjust laws. However, Lincoln urges for law-abiding citizens, even in accordance with unjust laws. Lincoln states, “But I do mean to say, that, although bad laws, if they exist, should be repealed as soon as possible, still while they continue in force…they should be religiously