"A Call for Unity", written by eight White clergymen native to Alabama, addressed the peaceful protests led by Martin Luther King in Birmingham. In their letter, the clergymen expressed their disagreement with King's nonviolent protests. They said the protests, both 'untimely and unwise,' would gain the "Negro" community nothing. They would only lead to more violence. The clergymen implored the African-American community to take their case of denied rights to the courts rather than protest for their rights in the streets.
I do not understand or agree with the clergymen's argument. How could they, the clergymen, expect the African-American community to go to the courts to argue for their rights, to argue for justice when there was injustice towards the them in the courts at the time? Any Black who went to court would not have been dealt with fairly. Protesting in the streets was their only hope for gaining their rights.
"Letter from a Birmingham Jail" was Martin Luther King's response to the clergymen's "A Call for Unity". In his letter, King pointed out how long the African-American community had been suffering from discrimination and injustice. He also pointed out that the they had been willing to negotiate, to wait. But the time for waiting had passed and it was time for action. King poignantly got his point across about the harsh reality faced by African Americans at the time by using several examples of discrimination that took place daily. King explained in great depth and detail the true meaning of justice. He used several prominent biblical and historical figures as examples of justice. King also criticized the White church and its leadership for not helping the Black community gain the justice they rightfully deserved.
I completely agree with King's words. Law and order cannot exist without justice. The Black community had tolerated injustice long enough and it was time for them to take a stand. King didn't call for violence he merely asked the White community to understand where he and his fellow African Americans were coming from.
Both letters are from opposite ends of the spectrum. "A Call for Unity" is a poor excuse for attempting to reach out to the African-American community and to tell them how they can gain justice. "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" is a powerful call for true justice and equal rights among all people.
I do not understand or agree with the clergymen's argument. How could they, the clergymen, expect the African-American community to go to the courts to argue for their rights, to argue for justice when there was injustice towards the them in the courts at the time? Any Black who went to court would not have been dealt with fairly. Protesting in the streets was their only hope for gaining their rights.
"Letter from a Birmingham Jail" was Martin Luther King's response to the clergymen's "A Call for Unity". In his letter, King pointed out how long the African-American community had been suffering from discrimination and injustice. He also pointed out that the they had been willing to negotiate, to wait. But the time for waiting had passed and it was time for action. King poignantly got his point across about the harsh reality faced by African Americans at the time by using several examples of discrimination that took place daily. King explained in great depth and detail the true meaning of justice. He used several prominent biblical and historical figures as examples of justice. King also criticized the White church and its leadership for not helping the Black community gain the justice they rightfully deserved.
I completely agree with King's words. Law and order cannot exist without justice. The Black community had tolerated injustice long enough and it was time for them to take a stand. King didn't call for violence he merely asked the White community to understand where he and his fellow African Americans were coming from.
Both letters are from opposite ends of the spectrum. "A Call for Unity" is a poor excuse for attempting to reach out to the African-American community and to tell them how they can gain justice. "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" is a powerful call for true justice and equal rights among all people.
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