Letter From Birmingham Jail

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

Martin Luther King letter from a Birmingham Jail is written on April 16, 1963 to the public response clergymen stated on a nonviolent parade that King lead and ended up him in jail for not having a permit. King writes his letter from the jail cell to the clergymen for not understanding the meaning of his protest. He begins his letter questioning the clergyman for saying that his actions were unwise and untimely. He did not volunteer but that he was asked to come to Birmingham Alabama because of his affiliation with other organizations. He also states that he is here because of injustice. If there is not a stop to injustice in Birmingham then there will be injustice everywhere. The right steps where made before the protest in Birmingham for a nonviolent campaign; collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exists; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action. King tells the clergymen that freedom can not wait any longer and that we as people have to fight for our constitutional rights. Segregation laws are unjust and King believes that everyone has the "moral responsibility" to disobey unjust laws but we must be prepared to take the consequences for our actions. King is also disappointed in the white moderate for being more devoted to order than justice and his wishes that the white moderate could see the purpose for the tension in the south. Along with his disappointment King is disappointed with the white church and its lack of leadership. He had hoped that the white church would help in this time of struggle for freedom. King ends his letter in hopes that he can someday meet these clergymen and that our nation will someday have democracy.

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