In his "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Martin Luther King Jr. aimed to defend his nonviolent protests against racial injustices and address criticisms from local clergymen. He emphasized the distinction between just and unjust laws, the necessity of direct action, and the urgency of the civil rights movement.
King began the letter by responding to the criticism that he and his fellow activists were "outsiders" causing trouble in the streets of Birmingham. King referred to his responsibility as the leader of the SCLC, which had numerous affiliated organizations throughout the South.
From the Birmingham jail, where he was imprisoned as a participant in nonviolent demonstrations against segregation, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote in longhand the letter which follows. It was his response to a public statement of concern and caution issued by eight white religious leaders of the South.
While in jail, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his Letter from Birmingham Jail in response to local clergymen vocalizing criticism of his ideas and methods. In this letter, King pointed out that peaceful civil disobedience is sometimes warranted depending on the reasons.
While King never explicitly states a title or role, we can infer that he was a key leader in the 1963 Birmingham movement. What motivated King to write this letter? King wrote the letter in response to clergymen who were concerned about the appropriateness of civil rights demonstrations.
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.
It says that people have a moral responsibility to break unjust laws and to take direct action rather than waiting potentially forever for justice to come through the courts. Responding to being referred to as an "outsider", King writes: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
Letters, Speeches & More "I've Been To the Mountaintop" "I Have A Dream" "Letter from the Birmingham Jail" "Where Do We Go From Here?" Address at the Freedom Rally in Cobo Hall. Music for MLK Day.
The letter should begin 'Sir', 'Madam' or 'May it please Your Majesty'. The first line of the letter itself should begin with the phrase 'With my humble duty'; the main content of the letter then follows. It should end 'I have the honour to remain, Sir/Madam, Your Majesty's most humble and obedient servant'.
In Writing For those who do wish to write directly to The King, the letter should begin 'Sir' or 'May it please Your Majesty'. It ends with 'I have the honour to remain, Sir, Your Majesty's most humble and obedient subject' and then your name.