Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis

The underrated rapper Common has referenced social justice throughout his career. He frequently attempts to create a better social condition for African Americans through his music, he does this by educating those who ignore the struggles of African Americans. He especially does this through his song “The People”. This is similar to Dr. Kings points in his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”, king says that ignoring the injustices is just as bad as participating in these injustices. Common elucidates this by saying “Why white folks focus on dogs and yoga / while people on the low trying to ball and get over” this practice is all too prevalent in today’s society; many people find it easier to ignore the issue since it does not affect them, but in order for the movement to be successful those people must participate. Common also speaks about giving preference to the poor and marginalized when servicing society. In the lyric “Can’t leave rap alone the streets need me / hunger in they eyes is what seems to feed me” Common is expressing the fact that the issues he raps about and the things that he does are all for the betterment of the people on the “streets”. The “streets” …show more content…
Common includes himself by using the word “we” as a way to connect with those in need and directly be with them, “Everyday we hustlin’, trying get them custom rims / Law we ain’t trusting them”. In this quote Common puts himself with the poor and marginalized as well as criticizes the police for unfair treatment of African Americans. This quote shares commonality with Dr. Kings four main points, Common is using negotiation by using his words in the song, but is also saying that he is prepared to go through self-purification by admitting that negotiation is not enough. Then, eventually moving into direct action since negotiation was not