After reading both A Call For Unity, penned by white Alabama clergymen and Letter From a Birmingham Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, I was struck by the differences present in both writings. A Call For Unity shows a distinct misunderstanding of the plight suffered by African Americans in segregated Alabama. Dr. Kings' letter, however, rings with the sincere message of truth spoken by a man of absolute conviction.
The clergy's letter calls for a halt to the demonstrations, citing the influence of “outsiders,” and preaches a doctrine of patience. The clergy seems to believe that the matter should be handled by the courts and not in the streets. This, at first, seems quite reasonable, but when one takes into account the political resistance to the Supreme Court decision of 1954, it takes on quite a different tone. I believe the clergy's intent was simply to placate the demonstrators with more promises of “wait and see.” The clergy forgets that a doctrine of “wait and see” led the Civil Rights movement coming to their door step. Demanding a halt to nonviolent protests by the African-American community is tantamount to denying them the very First Amendment Rights they are guaranteed as United States citizens.
Dr. King's letter especially impressed upon me the struggles he faced as the leader of the Civil Rights movement. We are taught only briefly about the Civil Rights movement in American History courses, but reading King's words brings home the urgency of his plight. Dr. King speaks about his position as a mediator between the “force of complacency” and a force of “bitterness and violence.” Dr. King sees himself as a force holding the two apart in hopes that the crisis can be solved without blood running in the streets. He voices his fear that if nonviolent struggle is suppressed, the tensions will manifest in abject violence – a “frightening racial nightmare.”
In closing, the reading of both statements has impressed upon me the severity of the struggle which took place in our nation not so very long ago. I am thankful that much of it was resolved without bloodshed, though I know that some made the supreme sacrifice of life for the cause. As a people, we still struggle with many of the same issues today; it is a struggle which will, perhaps continue until all people stand as one united, not under the banner of nations, but under a banner as citizens of humanity, with all our differences universally accepted as unique traits, not disadvantages.
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