Chapman, Jordan: Diversity

When I compared “A Call for Unity” and “Letter from Birmingham Jail” I came to the conclusion that Martin Luther King Jr was more morally correct than were the other seven clergymen. What the clergymen wanted was to stop all of the demonstrations and have negotiations instead. What they did not understand is what King explained to them in his letter. He basically told them that without the demonstrations there would be no negotiations. This is where I agree with him. The clergymen did not factor in that there was still racial discrimination. Although the White community had been doing well by being nonviolent, the courts wouldn’t give the Black community the time of day. Therefore the only way to achieve change was by the demonstrations.
   
 King was in Birmingham for a purpose, and that purpose was for all of the injustice in the city. As he said, “Birmingham is probably the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States. Its ugly record of brutality is widely known. Negroes have experienced grossly unjust treatment in the courts.” He was there to bring justice to the city. The Blacks of Birmingham had gone through rough times, and the clergymen who wrote “A Call for Unity” commended the white community for their good behavior.
   
The reasons that Blacks living in the city supported the demonstrations was because of the manner they were treated prior to these demonstrations. The clergymen wanted negotiations, and so did the Blacks. The reason for their “direct-action” was to finally be able to negotiate. By simply keeping the peace they knew that the arrangements and promises necessary would not be met. “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed” said King.
   
Martin Luther King Jr was not disagreeing with his fellow clergymen but agreed with them. Although he did argue that without direct-action there would be no negotiations. He was simply showing them the injustices that the community of Birmingham had allowed to fester. The clergymen were blind to these facts, and King hoped to open their eyes with his letter.