Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Fight for Civil Rights
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an influential figure whose actions in America's civil rights arena made him a hero both to the people of this country as well as to the oppressed all around the world. In "Letter from a Birmingham Jail", King expresses his opinions regarding some of the issues raised by his opponents and sheds light on the reasons for some of the actions that he chose to undertake. In the letter, King proved very vocal about why he believed his opponents were wrong and why he wanted them to join in on his side and fight the injustices he saw in American society. The lack of a confrontational note in the letter subsequently makes it an integral part of the struggle to end injustice in the country as well as in other places around the world.
Analyzing King's Message in the Letter
An analysis of the letter reveals that King directed it at his fellow clergyman while under arrest and in the confines of the Birmingham City jail. For many people, this would lead them to have a combative stance against any people perceived as being the causes of their misfortunes and it is interesting to note that King avoided such a stance and instead continued to deliver his message even from behind bars. A rhetorical analysis of the letter also reveals that King successfully uses the appeals to Kairos, pathos, and ethos to push his message and ensure that the audience fully understands its implications (Pierre-Louis et al. 7). Therefore, even as the letter can appear as a challenge to the authority of the churches in the South, it is imperative to see it as an attempt to help them and the great American conscience to correct its course.
Kings's Vision for True Civil Rights Protections
The letter by Dr. King helps to bring together all of the ideas that he had tried to express concerning the need for true civil rights protections in America as well as around the world. Lucas (3) noted that the religious background of King's arguments also made them somewhat prophetic since he highlighted a dystopian future for the country if it failed to address the issues that he pointed out. However, it is also necessary to note that King did not demonize his opponents; rather he invited them to look at his perspective and see whether or not they could find some sentiments with which they could agree (King par.16). This approach thereby counts as one of the elements that the letter uses to validate King's approach to seeking social justice and equality for all.
Non-Violence and Civil Disobedience for Achieving Change
When considering the issue of social justice, it becomes possible to see how any argument rooted in violence will also counteract the message that the movement in question seeks to address. Although King's letter does point out the fallacies in the arguments that openings of the civil rights movement perpetuate, one can also see that it calls for civil disobedience rather than violence as its vehicle for achieving change. For instance, King shows that negotiation has a better chance of achieving lasting peace when compared to conflict when he notes that discussions with the Birmingham merchant community led to the removal of humiliating racist messages in their shops (King par. 7). Consequently, it becomes impossible to maintain any negative perceptions of King as the leader of a movement that intends to destroy rather than build America.
King's Perspective on Race and Identity
Although King's letter serves as an appeal to all of America, it is also an expression of how he understands the issue of race and expresses his blackness as an individual but integral element of his identity as an American. Hall (8) argues that King’s conclusion that Christianity can assure Americans of liberation is wrong since some analysts also argue that it caused the injustices that persist in American society. However, one must also consider that the American dream upon which King bases his arguments also arose from a predominantly Christian ideology and yet considers equality as one of the most important ideas that Americans should uphold. Therefore, the subjectivity of King’s claims does not detract from the fact that he was right and still inspires civil movements in people of all religions to date.
King's Impact and Legacy
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. forever stands out as one of the leaders who fought on the frontlines for a change in how society treats minorities as well as why achieving equality can ensure the prosperity of a society. While some can consider King's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" as a retaliation to his imprisonment, the truth remains that it serves as just another avenue for him to teach others about equality even from behind bars.
References to his race and religion as the foundations for his beliefs does not distract from the fact that his hopes for the American population superseded his opinions regarding how wrong his opponents were. Therefore, as a source of inspiration for people looking to understand how to overcome challenges and continue fighting for their causes from difficult positions, it transcends its time and continues to inform and inspire people overall cultures races and denominations.
Works Cited
Hall, Lauren. "Religious Explorations of American Blackness by Martin Luther King Jr. and the Nation of Islam." Relics, Remnants, and Religion: An Undergraduate Journal in Religious Studies 2.2 (2017): 7.
Hall’s article comprises a comparison of King's use of Christianity in “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and compares it to Yakub’s prophetic utterances in the nation of Islam’s doctrine. In this way, it helps the reader to understand how and why King uses the issue of religion to push his message in his letter.
King, Martin Luther Jr. "Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]"(April 16, 1963). African Studies Center – University of Pennsylvania
As the subject of this essay, King's letter provides a lengthy and yet informative view of his stance on the issue of segregation and social inequality in America and around the world. Aside from the riveting way in which he delivers this message, this letter also serves as a continuation of his speeches and his non-violent approach to fighting for what he believes is right.
Lucas, Carly Renee. "Prophetic Urgency: The 1963 James Baldwin and Martin Luther King, Jr. Warnings to America." Symposia: The Journal of Religion. Vol. 8. 2017.
This article is another comparison between King's work and the warnings that other proponents of social justice gave to America regarding the need for social progress. In the article, Lucas emphasizes the importance of the non-violent stance that Martin Luther King and compatriots such as James Baldwin used, and notes the effectiveness with which it helped them to deliver their messages.
Myers, Peter. "Martin Luther King, Jr., and the American Dream." First Principles 50 (2015): 1-21.
Myers' article is one of the most important inclusions in this essay since it discusses how King perceives his movement as helping to further the American dream. By comparing his words to those of historical figure such as Abraham Lincoln, the article allows readers to understand how King's movement could achieve what it did without calling for violent responses to oppression.
Pierre-Louis, Gabriella, et al. "Rhetorical Analysis of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Panel Discusion." (2015).
This article differs from the others in that it only analyses King's letter and expands on how he uses literary devices to deliver his proposal to his fellow clergymen. It evidences how he uses the appeals to pathos, Kairos, and ethos together to humanize his message, make it less combative of the people who continue pushing inequality, and yet still challenge their beliefs.
