Summary Of Martin Luther King Letter From Birmingham Jail

Words: 651
Pages: 3

How do you confront those who wrongfully judge you? As we all know, everyone is entitled to their opinion. On the other hand, their judgements aren’t seen as acceptable. People cast their opinions and discernments all the time, no matter what it may be about. The way we approach judgement and ridicule is very important. About 50 years ago, one man responded to inaccurate judgement with wisdom and perception. Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham City Jail” reveals how he handled being judged.

The clergymen who contacted Dr. King pointed out specific actions he had taken while in Birmingham, Alabama. Their letter pin-pointed the issues of boycotts, acts of violence, and the “extreme measures” King had taken. “However, we are now confronted
…show more content…
King’s most impressive argument was that of the clergymen’s want for peaceful negotiations. King pushed for any form of peaceful resolution, but what the clergymen were asking for was completely hypercritical. In His letter, Martin Luther King explains how the white community never tried to have talks with the Negro community. “On the basis of these conditions, Negro leaders sought to negotiate with the city fathers. But the latter consistently refused to engage in good faith negotiation” (King). From his prospective, their refusal to have negations is what brought about the boycotts and protest groups. Ultimately, Dr. King felt disappointed at the fact that white religious leaders didn’t see the justice of his cause.

King’s “Letter from Birmingham City jail” truly is an emotional, informal, and historic piece of writing. As you read the letter, a feeling of devastation and sadness comes upon you. His message is clear and detailed. King responded to the non-legitimate accusations from the clergymen with precision and factual evidence. The way Martin Luther King responded was professional, yet personal. He did not allow the judgement he encountered from the clergymen to infect him with hatred nor anger. However, he wrote a letter to answer the clergymen in “patient and reasonable