FREE ESSAY ON SUMMARY OF THE LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL

SUMMARY OF THE LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL

On Good Friday in 1963, 53 blacks, led by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., marched into
downtown Birmingham to protest the existing segregation laws. All were arrested. This
caused the clergymen of this Southern town to compose a letter appealing to the black
population to stop their demonstrations. This letter appeared in the Birmingham
Newspaper. In response, Martin Luther King drafted a document that would mark the turning
point of the Civil Rights movement and provide enduring inspiration to the struggle for
racial equality.
Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" strives to justify the desperate need
for nonviolent direct action, the absolute immorality of unjust laws together with what a
just law is, as well as, the increasing probability of the "Negro" resorting to extreme
disorder and bloodshed, in addition to his utter disappointment with the Church who, in
his opinion, had
not lived up to their responsibilities as people of God.
King's justification to the eight clergymen for protesting segregation begins with a
profound explanation of their actions, "Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a
crisis
and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is
forced to confront the issue". The actions of the African American people are overdue and
very well planned as King had explained in the letter. Their quest was to force the white
politicians to negotiate and actually heed the requests for desegregation. As King
explains, "past promises have been broken by the politicians and merchants of Birmingham
and now is the time to fulfill the natural right of all people to be treated equal".
Violence is not what King wants, he simply wants unjust laws to change and the Supreme
Courts 1954 ruling to be upheld.
Secondly, King's answer to the clergymen's assertion that breaking the law is not the way
to achieve the results the African American is looking for. "Conversely, one has a moral
responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that, an unjust
law is no law at all". King does not feel that they have broken the law, his definitive
answer to the clergymen is that a law that is not morally sound is not a law. Laws are
made to protect the people not degrade and punish. As far as King is concerned, the
African American will continue to do whatever is necessary, preferably non-violently, to
obtain the legal and moral right that is theirs. If they are not allowed this peaceful
expression of the needs they so desire, it could lead to a much uglier action. 
Dr. King expressed his concern that if something is not done with these feelings and
absolute needs of the African American there will be violence and mayhem. "The Negro has
many pent-up resentments and latent frustrations, and he must release them. So let him
March". History has shown that if a person or people are ignored they will become violent
and fight for their "God-given" rights. King diligently explained that "black
nationalist" groups are becoming prevalent in society and he has faith that the "Negro
Church" has had direct influence in keeping the violence from erupting. However, how can
they are expected to stay complacent?
Finally, the sheer frustration King felt was with the Church in general. "In deep
disappointment I have wept over the laxity of the church. There can be no deep
disappointment where there in not deep love". This is probably the most heartbreaking
assertion King makes. He feels that the Church has skirted its responsibilities to the
African American people, hiding behind "anesthetizing security of stained-glass windows".

King summarizes his letter by making the point that he hopes that the Church will see
it's responsibilities "it's" means it is/you need its as people of God and understand the
need for direct action, the justification of unjust laws and the impending danger of the
African American rising up in violence if they are not heard. Martin Luther King does
this all in a diplomatic, heartfelt and completely inoffensive voice.