What Is King's Argument In Letter From Birmingham Jail

The civil rights movement was a turning point in American history. One of the most legendary leaders Martin Luther King fought until his last breath in order to unify both whites and African Americans in order to reach freedom from racism, oppression, and prejudice. In King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” he addresses the issue of white moderates and clergymen who fail to observe the issue of racism nationwide, King utilizes mood, values, and proof in order to encourage the need for urgent change in the country because African American’s freedom simply cannot wait any longer. King creates the feeling of urgency by explaining to the clergymen that the time to make a change is exactly right now. King expresses to the clergymen that African Americans for far too long have “heard the word wait” which “has almost always meant never” (14). This authenticates how …show more content…
King’s letter provides multiple accounts of how African Americans in society are repeatedly let down, specially by the white moderates who to some extent feel that segregation is wrong, but regardless continue to ignore the racial issues going on around them which further slows down the civil rights movement. And so, King continues to support his argument by expressing the need for a big movement to “create tension in society” in order to finally kick off some change in the country (19). Essentially, King’s use proof connects back to the demand for urgency and the need for clergymen to support the civil rights movement because African American’s endurance of constant racism, oppression, and prejudice has run