Martin Luther King Letter from Birmingham Jail

Martin Luther King Letter from Birmingham Jail

The letter is revealed to have been composed by Martin Luther King in response to the extreme reaction to the critics that were intensifying from the religious personnel in the locality. The Birmingham campaign had been accelerated in the streets. Luther seeks to establish defending arguments in regards to the non-violent actions composed towards fighting racism in society. It supported the moves of individuals to fight for justice in the society as it was among their moral responsibilities to ensure equality was restored. The letter was in response to the 1963 sit-ins and revolts against the racial discrimination that was intensifying in Birmingham, Alabama (King and Vivian 257). Martin Luther engages in the use of rhetorical appeals of logos, pathos, and ethos to ensure the effectiveness of the message is communicated in the letter.

Luther manipulates the rhetorical device of Pathos to effectively communicate in the long latter. It is established that Luther illustrates the conditions that are developed within the Birmingham cell to enable him to develop the urge to write. It is stated that “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?” (King 95). The empathy portrayed by Luther reveals the emotions of people reading it. Therefore, the letter establishes the unity of the clergy and further focuses on portraying the support to stop racism through the words in the long letter (King Jr 181). Hence, I believe that Luther King manages to affect and persuade the audience through the creation of feelings in his latter.

Moreover, the rhetoric device of Logos is manipulated by Luther to promote the effectiveness of the message. It is stated that “For years now, I have heard the word ‘Wait!” (King Jr 83). He further illustrates that the word wait is used to refer to never. Hence, it can be depicted that he creates the logic of racism that needs to push people to utilize for equality. The social responsibility should be initiated among people of Birmingham to push for non-violent actions to stop racism. Luther states that “then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait” (King Jr 84). Therefore, the logic of the issue of racism explains the reason to facilitate non-violent actions in society. Hence, it is appropriate to address the issue of racism through effectively applying the logic, Luther manages to persuade the audience to engage in their mindsets. Therefore, I agree with the words used by Luther to persuade the audience and further expound on resistance to racism.

Ethos devices can also be indicated to build on the credibility of the arguments developed. Luther seeks to expound on the reliability of the information. It is indicated that “without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation.” The element of credibility illustrates the significance of the letter to promote the unity of the clergy and further indicate the fight to stop racism. It establishes the development of moral responsibility to build on the concepts of discrimination and the need to establish equality. Segregation policies that are attacked by Luther through the use of Ethos appeal. Hence, it is appropriate to develop that Luther, in his letter to Birmingham, manipulates the three appeals to associate with the audience developed. Persuasion is achieved through the initiation of emotions to indicate on the empathy in the argument.

Works Cited

King Jr, Martin. “Letter from Birmingham jail. Liberating Faith: Religious voices for justice,

 peace, & ecological wisdom.” Pp. 177-187. (2012).

King, Martin Luther, and Vivian. “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Arguing about the law (2013):

254-264.

King Jr, Martin Luther. “Letter from Birmingham city jail.” Civil disobedience in focus.

Routledge, 2009. 74-99.