“Letter From Birmingham Jail” Martin Luther King, Jr. 1929-1968

Biography Born 1929 to minister in Atlanta, Georgia “Letter From Birmingham Jail” Born 1929 to minister in Atlanta, Georgia Attended Morehouse College, Crozer Theological Seminary, and obtained a Ph.D. from Boston University Married Coretta Scott and had four children Became pastor in 1954 Led black boycott against segregated bus lines Organized Southern Christian Leadership Conference 1964 received Nobel Peace Prize

Historical Context “Letter From Birmingham Jail” Racial segregation was wide spread and the South was a place of great racial tension. King along with others were in non-violent battle to stop the segregation.

Main Points All communities in America are related. “Letter From Birmingham Jail” All communities in America are related. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Four basic steps to nonviolent campaign: Collection of the facts to determine whether injustice exist Negotiation Self-purification Direct action

Main Points “Letter From Birmingham Jail” Nonviolent protests draw attention to what has previously been ignored. Those with power and privilege don’t give up voluntarily; waiting for the right time never comes. “We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and God-given rights. The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jetlike speed toward gaining political independence, but we still creep at horse and buggy pace toward gaining a cup of coffee at a lunch counter.”

Main Points “Letter From Birmingham Jail” Individuals have the moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. Unjust laws are those who the majority compels the minority to obey but does not make it binding on themselves. Two types of forces in the Negro community The complacent which are the ones who have adjusted to segregation. The other are those filled with bitterness and hatred who would advocate violence.

Main Points “Letter From Birmingham Jail” “The Negro has many pent-up resentments and latent frustrations, and he must release them. So let him march;” The churches are not standing up to the moral responsibility.

Historical Significance Racial inequality is still today embedded in our social setting.

Question If the Negro community had waited as many suggested would they have received the rights they now have without some type of protests?