Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis

Words: 453
Pages: 2

“Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever.” What would America look like if no one fought for what they believed in? In the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” written by Martin Luther King Jr., he argues that freedom must be demanded by the people; opening eyes to see the difference between a just law and an unjust law.

To begin, an unjust law is a code that a numerical power majority group compels a minority group to obey. “Throughout Alabama all sorts of devious methods are used to prevent Negroes from becoming registered voters.” When a law restricts a certain group of people from being able to do things citizens have access to, it immediately gives the majority more power than the minority. For example, if a man wants to run for president and everything he stands for is against people of color, those people of color cannot vote in order for him not to win the election. Giving the majority group an advantage on who they would want leading the country.

To continue, there are laws that are just on its face and unjust in its application. Martin Luther King Jr. has been arrested on a charge of parading without a permit. But it becomes unjust when it is
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In the government officials perspective, freedom could have meant being freed from being a slave but for the oppressed group, freedom could mean being able to do as you please as long as it’s not against the law and having the same benefits as the majority group.In 1863, the American Negro were free, but they were still compelled to follow unjust laws that bounded them from having the same access regular citizens have. Even though they physically don't have shackles on them as they did before, the unjust laws that were created, the people still felt like they’re still wearing those shackles restraining them from having actual