King chooses to respond to the white clergymen’s criticism because it is a specific criticism aimed at the strategy that he’s chosen to adopt . He makes a point of not responding to general criticism, much of which will doubtless have been abusive and destructive.
What is the main purpose of the letter from Birmingham Jail?
The goal of “Letter from Birmingham City Jail” was for Martin Luther King Jr. to respond to a group of white clergy who had criticized his use of nonviolent civil disobedience in Birmingham, Alabama .
Why does King seldom react criticism?
Why does King “seldom, if ever” respond to criticism? King rarely responds to criticism because he receives so much criticism that responding to it would take his secretaries most of the day and not leave time for “constructive work” (par.
What does King think is the myth of time?
One is what I refer to as the myth of time. ... The only answer that I can give to that myth is that time is neutral . It can be used either constructively or destructively. And I must honestly say to you that I’m convinced that the forces of ill will have often used time much more effectively than the forces of goodwill.
What does Martin Luther King say about unjust laws?
One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. Any law that uplifts human personality is just . Any law that degrades human personality is unjust.
What effect did the Letter from Birmingham Jail have?
Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is the most important written document of the civil rights era. The letter served as a tangible, reproducible account of the long road to freedom in a movement that was largely centered around actions and spoken words.
Why did Dr King decide to write the letter?
“ King announced that he would ignore it, led some 1,000 Negroes toward the business district . ... The decision prompted King to write, in a statement, that though he believed the Supreme Court decision set a dangerous precedent, he would accept the consequences willingly.
What does King say about time?
As Martin Luther King said, “ The time is always right to do what is right .” You could start right now by doing a small part to treat people with dignity, courtesy and respect.
Why did King welcome the label extremist?
In his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”, Martin Luther King Jr. addresses the fact that “white moderates” were calling him an extremist for his use of nonviolent resistance tactics .
How does MLK JR respond to those who label him an extremist?
– He was labeled an extremist when he told his people that their normal and healthy discontent can be channeled into the creative outlet of nonviolent direct action . – He was initially upset about it, but as he thought about it more he learned to like the label.
What did Martin Luther King Jr mean by just and unjust laws?
“A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law ,” King responded. “One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws.
What does Thoreau suggest is worse than disobeying an unjust law?
He disagreed with other American people who believed the majority should change the law first because it is a worse thing to disobey the law than to do what an unjust law says to do. Thoreau wrote that breaking the unjust laws is better: “Break the law. ... However, Thoreau did not think people should be criminals.
What unjust laws exist today?
- Money Bail.
- Private Bail Companies.
- Suspended Drivers Licenses.
- Excessive Mandatory Minimum Sentences.
- Wealth-Based Banishment That Outlaws Low-Income Housing.
- Private Probation Abuses.
- Parking Tickets to Debtors’ Prison.
- Sex Offense Registration Laws.
What was the longest time MLK spent in jail?
Martin Luther King, Jr. is arrested for the 13th time in April with Ralph Albernathy in Birmingham Alabama for demonstrating without a permit. He spends eleven days in jail, during which he writes the Letter from Birmingham Jail.
Who were the 8 clergymen?
- Names: C.C.J. Carpenter, Joseph A. Durick, Rabbi Hilton J. Grafman, Bishop Paul Hardin, Bishop Nolan B. Harmon, George M. ...
- Nickname: The “Wait”ful Eight.
- Hometown: Mostly Birmingham, but basically Alabama.
- Occupation: Clergy.
- Education: Various religious educations.
What did Martin Luther King Jr say about truth?
“ No matter what abuses it may bring, I’m gonna tell the truth .” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
