It is very rare that you find a writer and activist with the ability to express their beliefs in such a profound manner. After reading “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” I was beyond impressed by the depth and honesty of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. In the letter, he writes about the rallying that took place for desegregation, before he was thrown in jail for supposedly, protesting without a permit. Martin Luther King Jr. later expressed his disbelief and disappointment in his fellow, white clergymen. The clergymen wrote him criticizing letters, claiming that desegregation would come with time, and that the civil rights leaders were acting too quickly and too rashly. Martin Luther King Jr. expressed his former hope that the clergymen would fight with him from the beginning, and understand better than anyone, his devotion to desegregation. In one of his many, forceful and beautifully written statements, Martin Luther King Jr. says that,
“the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is…the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice” (181).
I felt that this quote, along with many others from the letter, had a great impact on the readers. His feeling of disappointment toward the white church was clear throughout the letter. He felt that the indifference of a white man was far worse than their loud disapproval. King wished that the white church could appreciate the hardships that African Americans had suffered, and step up to rally with them, rather than merely watching from the sideline. “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” was by far, the most profoundly and humbly written piece that we have read thus far. Martin Luther King Jr. knew that the nothing would stop African Americans from having their voices heard, and that eventually, freedom and basic civil rights would be won.
“the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is…the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice” (181).
I felt that this quote, along with many others from the letter, had a great impact on the readers. His feeling of disappointment toward the white church was clear throughout the letter. He felt that the indifference of a white man was far worse than their loud disapproval. King wished that the white church could appreciate the hardships that African Americans had suffered, and step up to rally with them, rather than merely watching from the sideline. “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” was by far, the most profoundly and humbly written piece that we have read thus far. Martin Luther King Jr. knew that the nothing would stop African Americans from having their voices heard, and that eventually, freedom and basic civil rights would be won.
Works Cited
King Jr., Martin Luther. “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers. Ed. Lee A. Jacobus. 7th Edition. New York: Bedford/St. Martins, 2006 pp. 173-189
King Jr., Martin Luther. “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers. Ed. Lee A. Jacobus. 7th Edition. New York: Bedford/St. Martins, 2006 pp. 173-189
5 comments:
Looks like you understood the reading quite well. I pretty much agree with all you said. good job.
I liked the quotes you choose to elaborate on. I thought your input and interpretation of King's letter was a lot like my own, and respected just about everything you had to say. I don't know where America would be if it hadn't been for Martin Luther King Jr., and I know you are, just like me, thankful he was who he was. Great blog!
Wow, you are a really good writer. I also really liked this reading, but it was my second favorite after Lao-tzu.
The reading had quite an impact on me as well. King does a very good job of conveying his ideas in a humble and logical manner which widens the audience that can appreciate his writing.
You are an excellent writer. I completely agree with you about Kings ability to express his ideas, he is clearly one of the great writers and great activists in history.
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