But though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continued to think about the matter I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label. If one recognizes this vital urge that has engulfed the Negro community, one should readily understand why public demonstrations are taking place. And now this approach is being termed extremist. Justin Taylor is executive vice president for book publishing and publisher for books at Crossway. Of course, there are some notable exceptions. 4 lines 66101 why might king have taken the time so 4. Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice? But, oh! Birmingham is probably the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States. Indeed, this is the very purpose of direct action. left their villages and carried their “thus saith the Lord” far beyond the boundaries of their home towns, and just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town. They have left their secure congregations and walked the streets of Albany, Georgia, with us. We the undersigned clergymen are among those who, in January, issued “an appeal for law and order and common sense,” in dealing with racial problems in Alabama. Was not Jesus an extremist for love: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”, Was not Amos an extremist for justice: “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.”, Was not Paul an extremist for the Christian gospel: “I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.”, Was not Martin Luther an extremist: “Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise, so help me God.”, And John Bunyan: “I will stay in jail to the end of my days before I make a butchery of my conscience.”, And Abraham Lincoln: “This nation cannot survive half slave and half free.”, And Thomas Jefferson: “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal . This is sameness made legal. 6 days ago. We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. [1. What is the connotation of scythe. I am sure that none of you would want to rest content with the superficial kind of social analysis that deals merely with effects and does not grapple with underlying causes. We decided to schedule our direct action program for the Easter season, realizing that except for Christmas, this is the main shopping period of the year. One is a force of complacency, made up in part of Negroes who, as a result of long years of oppression, are so drained of self respect and a sense of “somebodiness” that they have adjusted to segregation; and in part of a few middle-class Negroes who, because of a degree of academic and economic security and because in some ways they profit by segregation, have become insensitive to the problems of the masses. [1. Latest answer posted August 12, 2017 at 12:32:01 PM, Latest answer posted February 01, 2016 at 3:21:23 AM, Latest answer posted November 25, 2019 at 10:49:16 AM, Latest answer posted December 13, 2019 at 12:51:13 AM, Latest answer posted July 26, 2019 at 12:21:29 AM. All were white. It is true that the police have exercised a degree of discipline in handling the demonstrators. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Just as the prophets of the eighth century B.C. I have tried to stand between these two forces, saying that we need emulate neither the “do nothingism” of the complacent nor the hatred and despair of the black nationalist. The letter to Birmingham jail was a letter, written to the public by Martin Luther King Jr. King. At first I was rather disappointed that fellow clergymen would see my nonviolent efforts as those of an extremist. In spite of my shattered dreams, I came to Birmingham with the hope that the white religious leadership of this community would see the justice of our cause and, with deep moral concern, would serve as the channel through which our just grievances could reach the power structure. In honor of the 26th Annual MLK Day, Gettysburg Connection is today publishing commentary by several local residents. But such an ordinance becomes unjust when it is used to maintain segregation and to deny citizens the First-Amendment privilege of peaceful assembly and protest. Depending on the level of your students, you may choose from two versions of the letter with analysis questions. —then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait. But he will not see this without pressure from devotees of civil rights. [Answer to the charge that their actions, though peaceful, precipitate violence]. Its ugly record of brutality is widely known. We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and God given rights. My friends, I must say to you that we have not made a single gain in civil rights without determined legal and nonviolent pressure. We must come to see that, as the federal courts have consistently affirmed, it is wrong to urge an individual to cease his efforts to gain his basic constitutional rights because the quest may precipitate violence. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea. First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. It was his response to a public statement of concern and caution issued … This is certainly a legitimate concern. In particular, he “gained a bit of satisfaction from being considered an extremist” (King 4). I have been so greatly disappointed with the white church and its leadership. To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law. ... Extremism often has a negative connotation. Extremist although heavily packed with a negative connotation is premised here as positive by King. I wish you had commended the Negro sit inners and demonstrators of Birmingham for their sublime courage, their willingness to suffer and their amazing discipline in the midst of great provocation. Disappointment with the white moderate]. In that dramatic scene on Calvary’s hill three men were crucified. English. Yours for the cause of Peace and Brotherhood. . We recognize the natural impatience of people who feel that their hopes are slow in being realized. Things are different now. I hope the church as a whole will meet the challenge of this decisive hour. You express a great deal of anxiety over our willingness to break laws. I therefore concur with you in your call for negotiation. I can assure you that it would have been much shorter if I had been writing from a comfortable desk, but what else can one do when he is alone in a narrow jail cell, other than write long letters, think long thoughts and pray long prayers? Letter from birimingham jail answers. There was a time when the church was very powerful—in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. The letter is largely written to explain to the public that civil disobedience and peaceful protest is an appropriate action to counter act the discrimination that African Americans have faced under the law. I had hoped that the white moderate would see this need. Focusing on King's Letter from Birmingham Jail, students examine King's nonviolence ideology and tactics. Provide three examples of allusions that King uses to support his reasoning. Subject: Art, … Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested and sent to jail because he and others were protesting the unjust treatment of blacks in Birmingham, Alabama. I am grateful to God that, through the influence of the Negro church, the way of nonviolence became an integral part of our struggle. Which statement best describes the connotative meaning of the word catapulted? Letter from Birmingham Jail DRAFT. Although the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was written 56 years ago it still rings true in 2019 in many ways. And they questioned both the wisdom and the timing of these actions. Let me take note of my other major disappointment. One day the South will know that when these disinherited children of God sat down at lunch counters, they were in reality standing up for what is best in the American dream and for the most sacred values in our Judaeo Christian heritage, thereby bringing our nation back to those great wells of democracy which were dug deep by the founding fathers in their formulation of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Martin Luther King Jr. in “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and the prisoners in “The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses” both followed a higher moral law combined with the universal values of unity, equality, and justice to fight for change in the midst of unjust tradition. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. Force of bitterness and hatred in the Negro community], The other force is one of bitterness and hatred, and it comes perilously close to advocating violence. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. Negroes have experienced grossly unjust treatment in the courts. Ralph Abernathy and Fred Shuttlesworth were among the marchers also arrested. I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and that when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress. We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right. Something within has reminded him of his birthright of freedom, and something without has reminded him that it can be gained. Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of the text. Yes, they have gone to jail with us. So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. The Gospel Coalition supports the church by providing resources that are trusted and timely, winsome and wise, and centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some have asked: “Why didn’t you give the new city administration time to act?”. What is the main claim Martin Luther King makes in his "Letter from Birmingham City Jail"? Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. More and more I feel that the people of ill will have used time much more effectively than have the people of good will. If his repressed emotions are not released in nonviolent ways, they will seek expression through violence; this is not a threat but a fact of history. King had been arrested the same day the letter appeared (April 12, 1963), after violating Circuit Judge W. A. Jenkins’s injunction against “parading, demonstrating, boycotting, trespassing and picketing. [Reflections on this letter and how it will be received]. We’ve discounted annual subscriptions by 50% for COVID-19 relief—Join Now! We do not believe that these days of new hope are days when extreme measures are justified in Birmingham. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. 100. But the latter consistently refused to engage in good faith negotiation. A just law is a man made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. I am not unmindful of the fact that each of you has taken some significant stands on this issue. But we are convinced that these demonstrations are unwise and untimely. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. [Answer to the charge that they should have negotiated instead of engaging in direct action], You may well ask: “Why direct action? I have no fear about the outcome of our struggle in Birmingham, even if our motives are at present misunderstood. The other, Jesus Christ, was an extremist for love, truth and goodness, and thereby rose above his environment. Just as we formerly pointed out that “hatred and violence have no sanction in our religious and political traditions,” we also point out that such actions as incite to hatred and violence, however technically peaceful those actions may be, have not contributed to the resolution of our local problems. I have hope that Mr. Boutwell will be reasonable enough to see the futility of massive resistance to desegregation. Can any law enacted under such circumstances be considered democratically structured? Read this excerpt from "A Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King Jr.: When I was suddenly catapulted into the leadership of the bus protest in Montgomery, Alabama, a few years ago, I felt we would be supported by the white church. Over the past few years I have consistently preached that nonviolence demands that the means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek. A few signs, briefly removed, returned; the others remained. Sometimes a law is just on its face and unjust in its application. We bring it out in the open, where it can be seen and dealt with. Grades: 9-12. [Concern about the clergy commending the actions of the Birmingham police], Before closing I feel impelled to mention one other point in your statement that has troubled me profoundly. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Persuasion in “Letter From Birmingham Jail” After being arrested and imprisoned in Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote one of his most famous works to the people of Birmingham, titled “Letter From Birmingham Jail on April 16, 1963. 1612 Words 7 ... Meshach, and Abednego, he introduces the term extremist. In "Letter from Birmingham Jail," why is King disappointed in the white church? There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than in any other city in the nation. Letter from Birmingham City Jail Latest answer posted July 26, 2019 at 12:21:29 AM Describe the four basic steps for a nonviolent campaign as outlined by King in "Letter from Birmingham City Jail." The assessment is an opportunity to discuss rhetorical language and the civil rights movement. I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. Seldom do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. It has a negative connotation, suggesting a dangerous fanaticism. Here’s how Dr. King covered this issue in his Birmingham letter: “Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will.” Prioritize listening, learning, empathizing, and especially unlearning the ways of thinking and operating that aren’t rooted in truth and justice. At first I was rather disappointed that fellow clergymen would see mynonviolent efforts as those of an extremist. [Answer to the charge that they are willing to break the law]. We have gone through all these steps in Birmingham. [Answer to the charge that they didn’t give the new city administration time to act], One of the basic points in your statement is that the action that I and my associates have taken in Birmingham is untimely. ... At first, tension seems to hold a negative connotation, but as King refines its meaning, the tone surrounding tension becomes clearly positive. Hence segregation is not only politically, economically and sociologically unsound, it is morally wrong and sinful. Now is the time to lift our national policy from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of human dignity. Edit. Having aided in this community need, we felt that our direct action program could be delayed no longer. You can follow him on Twitter. As a Reverend himself, this criticism deeply bothered King, much more than the typical criticism he received from white people, and he composed this response to them from a jail in Birmingham where he was temporarily imprisoned. Isn’t this like condemning Jesus because his unique God consciousness and never ceasing devotion to God’s will precipitated the evil act of crucifixion? We further strongly urge our own Negro community to withdraw support from these demonstrations, and to unite locally in working peacefully for a better Birmingham. [The protests are unfortunate, but the causes even more so]. It has a negative connotation, suggesting violent destruction and conflict. I’m afraid it is much too long to take your precious time. Perhaps I have once again been too optimistic. I am in the rather unique position of being the son, the grandson and the great grandson of preachers. .”, [The question is: what kind of extremist will one be?]. Perhaps the South, the nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists. Assessment: Letter from Birmingham Jail Students read excerpts from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and analyze the use of rhetorical tools for adding power. This is difference made legal. A law is unjust if it is inflicted on a minority that, as a result of being denied the right to vote, had no part in enacting or devising the law. Frequently we share staff, educational and financial resources with our affiliates. I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law. ... From his prison cell, King replied not only to the ministers' letter but also to an educated, white, middle-class audience, by writing his response in the margins of the newspaper and on toilet paper (Albert and Hoffman 141). They call for peace, not violence. If today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. I am here because I have organizational ties here. Any law that uplifts human personality is just. 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. In no sense do I advocate evading or defying the law, as would the rabid segregationist. 1. Knowing that a strong economic-withdrawal program would be the by product of direct action, we felt that this would be the best time to bring pressure to bear on the merchants for the needed change. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church’s silent–and often even vocal–sanction of things as they are. Yes, I love the church. I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization operating in every southern state, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. We have some eighty five affiliated organizations across the South, and one of them is the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights. It seeks so to dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored. 73% average accuracy. ), [King’s circumstances, and the white clergy’s charges that led to this response], While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling my present activities “unwise and untimely.”, [Why King does not usually answer criticism]. To point out that his work was not just not untimely, it was overdue. Their witness has been the spiritual salt that has preserved the true meaning of the gospel in these troubled times. I have just received a letter from a white brother in Texas. One day the South will recognize its real heroes. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘Letter From Birmingham Jail’ “We will reach the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over the nation, because the goal of America is freedom.” [Predecessors to this type of civil disobedience]. 10th grade. [Why King is making an exception here, and how he hopes to answer it]. Perhaps I must turn my faith to the inner spiritual church, the church within the church, as the true ekklesia and the hope of the world. Like a boil that can never be cured so long as it is covered up but must be opened with all its ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light, injustice must be exposed, with all the tension its exposure creates, to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion before it can be cured. Isn’t this like condemning Socrates because his unswerving commitment to truth and his philosophical inquiries precipitated the act by the misguided populace in which they made him drink hemlock? Answers: 1 Show answers Another question on English. One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty. [Disobeying an unjust law and bearing the consequences expresses the highest respect for law]. And I am further convinced that if our white brothers dismiss as “rabble rousers” and “outside agitators” those of us who employ nonviolent direct action, and if they refuse to support our nonviolent efforts, millions of Negroes will, out of frustration and despair, seek solace and security in black nationalist ideologies–a development that would inevitably lead to a frightening racial nightmare. The yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself, and that is what has happened to the American Negro. Let me give another explanation. There can be no gainsaying the fact that racial injustice engulfs this community. But now I must affirm that it is just as wrong, or perhaps even more so, to use moral means to preserve immoral ends. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection. You warmly commended the Birmingham police force for keeping “order” and “preventing violence.”. On April 12, 1963—Good Friday—a 428-word open letter appeared in the Birmingham, Alabama, newspaper calling for unity and protesting the recent Civil Rights demonstrations in Birmingham. (For a more comprehensive approach than what I’ve provided below, including an outline and historical background in footnotes, see Peter Lillback’s very helpful Annotations on a Letter That Changed the World from a Birmingham Jail. Let us consider a more concrete example of just and unjust laws. You spoke of our activity in Birmingham as extreme. Denotation is the dictionary definition of a word and the connotation is the extra meaning it carries that lets others know your feeling about a subject.