Category: Historical Figures

Introduction

Racial segregation, as a systemic effort to make African-Americans subordinate, was one of the critical problems of the US. Such a position denied equal access of African-Americans to public services and limited their rights. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X are the most prominent ministers and proponents of the struggle against racial segregation. While King offered non-violent solutions to achieve justice and integrate American society, Malcolm X claimed that self-protection should be the basis of the movement, which combined practice seems to be a relevant solution.

Main body

In America, the Second Reconstruction lasted from the end of World War II to the late 1960s, when the correction of human and civil rights started. The main characteristics of this period refer to African-Americans struggle against economic and social inequalities and grassroots movement. The problem of segregation by race was critical in that period, leading to the Civil Rights Movement. It improved the position of African-Americans as they received voting and civil rights. Economic inequality and political powerlessness are the key factors that pushed people to engage in the struggle for equal rights. However, many of them remained unemployed, having to live in poverty and lacking access to resources.

Martin Luther King promoted the philosophy of pacifism and non-violent resistance. In his I Have a Dream speech, he states that the lives of the so-called Negroes are still crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. The solution to this problem is the protest against injustice through brotherhood and peace to achieve equality for all the people regardless of their skin color. However, when King speaks about race, it is meant that people should not forget about race, but treat every person equally. He called Americans to actively participate in the change peacefully as a nation since hatred and violence cannot overcome inequality. The vision of King seems to be useful to integrate the society, including all the members. For example, the speech includes the following statement: the victim of unspeakable horrors of police brutality. Accordingly, Kings speech recognizes the problem of injustice and inspires people to follow his non-violent dream.

Malcolm X, the leader of the African-American nationalist movement, criticized King for relying on peaceful methods. He pointed to the law of self-preservation that is noted in the Constitution to stress that every American citizen has a right to bear arms. According to Malcolm X, history indicated that African-Americans should be prepared to protect themselves at the mercy of ruthless and violent mob, as stated in his Message to the Grassroots. In addition, Malcolm claimed that morality can be used only against those who are also moral, but the White oppressors, murderers, and exploiters are not moral. Another argument against King refers to the opposition to integration. In his The Ballot or Bullet Speech, he says that the black man should control the politics and the politicians in his community. The underlying reason for such a solution is that only African-Americans can truly understand their needs and required politics to benefit their community. Malcolm X claimed that White liberals cannot offer the solution to the problem of racial segregation.

The Civil Rights movement was diverse and complicated during the Second Reconstruction period. Both King and Malcolm X ultimately worked towards the same goal, even though with completely different means. The speeches organized by both activists awoke the whole country, especially the Black population of the US. On the one hand, Kings peaceful ways are holistic, moral, and humane as they targeted non-violence. On the other hand, violence as a method of overcoming racial segregation is justifiable as a legitimate form of struggle for ones rights. It is possible to argue that Black America needed to be reckoned with, even by organizing riots. Therefore, both King and Malcolm X seem to be right since their calls were relevant and appealing to address racial discrimination. The African-American population of America gradually became a full-fledged part of American society, and the foundations of modern political correctness emerged. Ultimately, the combination of the views of these activists seems to be the best solution possible.

Conclusion

To conclude, Martin Luther King focused on addressing the racial problem by the integration of the American society as a nation, which implied using non-violent strategies. Malcolm X criticized him for compromising with the Whites and pointed to the weaknesses of peaceful solutions. In turn, Malcolm X proposed organizing the movement around self-defense and the use of morality only to moral people. Although King stated that hatred only multiplies violence, it seems that Malcolm Xs ideas about the need to control the African-American community as nationalists also seem to be important for making the voices of the oppressed loud. Today, in the face of the wake of violent actions after the death of George Floyd, the self-expression of rioters allowed them to show their pain and problems. Nevertheless, these voices that became loud should be transformed into peaceful conversations to achieve the genuine equality of all Americans.

First, it should be noted how King approaches the issue of white privilege opposed to the lack of it for black people in his letter. This is a critical issue even in the modern world, and sometimes it becomes more acute. To fully describe the difference between the lives of blacks and whites, King contrasts the social and demographic characteristics of their existence. Discussing the problem of black people, King cites the example of the situation, when your first name becomes nigger and your middle name becomes boy (however old you are) (King 81). Thus, white people have the privilege of having their name and being considered full members of society, while people of color sometimes do not even have that. This is one of the most definite signs of social injustice and racism. Showing this opposition, King expresses his negative attitude towards the white privilege in contrast with severe life conditions of black people. His point is that humanity has to get rid of this because each human being is valuable and deserves a careful attitude. Indeed, even now, people must remember it and follow this position.

Second, an essential opposition in Kings letter is the comparison of violence and non-violence. Speaking about this, he cites an example of a typical representative of the oppressed strata of the population. According to King, when people repress their strong emotions, they can then logically be manifested in more harmful and violent ways (85). Violence has many meanings and tells about hidden pain and anger. Undoubtedly, screaming or fighting is the easiest way to deal with something painful and offensive. Nevertheless, it does not contribute to understanding and partnership in any way. Therefore, King makes the audience understand that non-violence is necessary for the expression of feelings without harm; it always helps to come to common solutions to problems. Its purpose is a productive communication, which allows a careful attitude towards each other from all sides. Hence, people should always listen to themselves and understand their deepest feelings and intentions. As a result, they become more conscientious members of a non-violent society. Thus, this opposition helps readers better understand the need for equality and be more mindful regarding this issue.

A third critical opposition in this essay is justice and injustice. King asks readers: will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice, or will we be extremists for the cause of justice? (86). By saying this, the author shows that this issue has two extremes: just and unjust. On the one hand, people can fight every slightest manifestation of injustice. However, it can sometimes feel like treating the symptoms of a disease without considering its underlying cause. On the other hand, it is crucial to focus on establishing ethical norms and order in society. Building such a reliable system will allow people to withstand and solve problems. This is how they can achieve harmony and give every citizen to live freely. It can be established by following the just law: a system where people are treated equally. It is opposed to the unjust law that does not support basic human rights. It does not depend on race or ethnicity and is concentrated on non-violence actions. Thus, the essay by Martin Luther King Jr. is a prime example of how social issues can be described in an interesting way.

Work Cited

King Jr., Martin Luther. Letter from Birmingham Jail. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 212, no. 2, 1963, pp. 78-88.

Racism and racial inequalities, segregation, and discrimination are the most important problems that affected American society. Letter from Birmingham Jail was written in 1963 by Martin Luther King. This Letter is addressed to all black people and racial minorities who suffered from racism and discrimination. King appeals to black people expressing ideas of freedom and understanding of a free man, the importance of human rights, and racial equality for every citizen. Thesis Black people have the same rights and freedoms as other ethical minorities and should be equally treated by society and the state.

All people are equal in their rights and freedoms. King appeals to the audience creating dramatic and vivid descriptions of hardship and casualties of life caused by racism and segregation. King moved cautiously, ever worried about the possibility of violence that could do irreparable harm to political struggle and social order. During this period of time, the main driven forces of the equal rights movement included a new perception of the world and self, a new interpretation of freedom and humans rights.

The historical events changed political standpoints on the issues of freedom and diversity of blacks and ethical minorities. King proves: In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: a collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action (King 474). On the other hand, rights are particularly difficult to operationally in legal politics if the object of these rights is to protect indigenous identity. King claims: Like a boil that can never be cured so long as it is covered up but must be opened with all its ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light, injustice must be exposed (King 478).

Since rights language is usually attached to the idea that individuals should be protected, it tends not to work well when applied to collectives. Racism also gives rise to conflict when a collective asserts its rights over individuals who also make rights-based claims. Image is central in his style. In the Letter, vivid and bright images support and sustain the development of concepts of racism and segregation.

King states: our hopes had been blasted, and the shadow of deep disappointment settled upon us (King 479). To their fullest, the images are used to intensify, clarify, to enrich the message and meaning. The distinctive feature of Letter is that the reader of such work is himself purged of emotional involvement, for instance, we were the victims of a broken promise (King 479). His emotional appeal is complex and achieved through emotional intensity. Morality is based on a simple contrast; natural instinct versus social hypocrisy, the goodness of heart versus cunning of the head.

Black people are citizens of America so they should be equally treated by the majority and the state. King vividly portrays that racial relations and racism cause labor division and class struggle. This universal process contains for America a special problem: the proletariat is largely black, and its demand for inclusion thus threatens the political control of a white minority. Using vivid examples, King states: It is even more unfortunate that the citys white power structure left the Negro community with no alternative (King 481).

It is not surprising, therefore, if leading Black intellectuals attack the notion of racial democracy and seek to provide a new narrative that offers a central place to those of African descent. King states: law and order & become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress (King 482). The enslaved African became a citizen as stated under the law, but he also became a nigger, cornered from all sides.

Using examples, King appeals to the audience stating that this was made apparent in the ways in which ethnic identities were subsumed, and still are, within and between economic identities, a political-economic class identity with the ethnic referent made invisible. King writes: the United States Negro is moving with a sense of great urgency toward the promised land of racial justice (King 482). Using vivid historical examples, King induces belief in an audience and appeals to their inner feelings.

Segregation and racial discrimination are unlawful, so they should be eliminated and prohibited by the state. In the Letter, King creates a vivid image of racial segregation as a burden with deprives many racial minorities of a chance to be free from oppression and humiliation. There is an intensity of illusion because the author is pres­ent, constantly reminding readers of his unnatural wisdom. The moral quality depends not on the validity of doctrines, but on the moral sense and arguments presented in the work. In both books, a certain amount of plot is based on emotional response. For instance, oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever.

The yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself, and that is what has happened to the American Negro (King 481). Exclamation marks, rhetorical questions, and parallel structure of sentences add emotional coloring. A personal tone is also an important element of his rhetoric because it creates a certain vision of segregation and inequality from the authors point of view. This confidence is established in and by the speech itself and not through previous notions the audience may have of the speaker. To win trust, confidence, and conviction, the speaker exhibits intelligence, good sense, virtue, and goodwill.  Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal (King 481).

King describes the way and his moral choice. For King, this part is very important because it helps the writer to establish his ethical values as sensible, virtuous, and trustworthy. Also, King gives special attention to the character of his audience to which he suits his Letter. King appeals to the audience stating: We should never forget that everything Adolf Hitler did in Germany was legal and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was illegal (King 480). These lines show that segregation is unlawful and inhuman issues affected many societies and communities.

In sum, all black people are American citizens who have the same rights and freedoms as the white majority so they should be protected from segregation and discrimination practices. King supports this idea and states that what our society requires is intelligence, anti-discrimination laws, and ana­lytical interest, although, as we have seen, he is willing to accept responsibility in raising the reader to this level, he still pre­supposes a reader ready for the proper response. Dramatic descriptions and examples are foreshortened to achieve intensity, but in foreshortening, he uses dissimulation successfully in order to preserve the reality.

Works Cited

King, M. (2001). Letter from Birmingham jail. In S. Kilks, R. Hansen & M. Parfitt (Eds.), Cultural conversations: The presence of the past (pp. 472-486). Boston: Bedford/St. Martins.

The focal point of the paper is to present a Comparison and Contrast Essay between How It Feels to be Colored Me, by Zora Neale Hurston and Letter from Birmingham Jail, by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Both the articles are based on the pain of racism and discrimination in the United States. While Zora Neale Hurston conveys her pain through an article of nostalgia and realization, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is more direct and analytical in his approach through his open letter to a Fellow Clergyman.

The fundamental similarity between Zora Neale Hurston and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is that both of them are against the evil of racism and racial discrimination. King is positively vocal in this respect, he almost roars in the context, Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself, and that is what has happened to the American Negro. Something within has reminded him of his birthright of freedom, and something without has reminded him that it can be gained. (King, 1) Similarly, Hurston presents her disappointments regarding evil of racism and racial discrimination in her own sorrowful whispers that are true to the heart and speaks the pain of her soul. He remarks about racism, I have no separate feeling about being an American citizen and colored. I am merely a fragment of the Great Soul that surges within the boundaries. My country, right or wrong. Sometimes, I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? Its beyond me. (Hurston, 1)

Hurston starts her article with the nostalgic remembrance with a description of her youth, Up to my thirteenth year I lived in the little Negro town of Eatonville, Florida. It is exclusively a colored town. The only white people I knew passed through the town going to or coming from Orlando. (Hurston, 1) This is an approach that that very sentimental and soft in nature with the insight of a woman facing the world. In sharp contrast, King presents his letter in a form of argument with evidence and facts. He indicates, We have some eighty-five affiliated organizations across the South, and one of them is the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights. Frequently we share staff, educational and financial resources with our affiliates. (King, 1) The differences in approach are clear. King is extremely direct, systematic and methodical and backs his clams with facts.

King is far angrier than Hurston. He states, There can be no gainsaying the fact that racial injustice engulfs this community. 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. (King, 1) King is restless in his communication yet he is organized enough to present his arguments in a manner that his letter hits the proper note of anger. Hurston, on the other hand, is more solemn in nature and narrates her life and experience as a colored individual in a sad and melancholic tone. She indicates, They liked to hear me speak pieces and sing and wanted to see me dance the parse-me-la, and gave me generously of their small silver for doing these things, which seemed strange to me for I wanted to do them so much that I needed bribing to stop, only they didnt know it. (Hurston, 1) It was like as if she was not blaming anyone for the discrimination and treating her color differently but felt sad deep within.

However, the most interesting difference between the writings of Zora Neale Hurston and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is their feeling of immediate future. While King is extremely positive and optimistic about the future his movement, Hurston appears to be subjected to the approach of discrimination and accepts the fact that there is a place for her color and she is contented to be placed in that manner. King affirmatively states in his concluding part of his letter, Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities, and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty. (King, 1) This is the voice of a leader, a person who visualizes the best possibility for his cause and he is extremely confident of a better future. However, the views of Hurston are sober as she speaks in her concluding paragraph, I feel like a brown bag of miscellany propped against a wall. Against a wall in company with other bags, white, red and yellow. Pour out the contents, and there is discovered a jumble of small, priceless and worthless things. (Hurston, 1) This is the fundamental difference between the two authors. One is angry and out to secure the position of the race with affirmation and the other is melancholic with the position and the situation.

Works Cited

Hurston, Zora Neale. How It Feels to be Colored Me. About.com. Web.

King, Martin Luther. Letter from Birmingham Jail. Abacus. Web.

Introduction

Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights activist in America. Were it not for the efforts of martin Luther, it is highly likely that the freedom and equity the black and other minor communities in America enjoy today, would not be as it is (Williams; 1987). During his endeavors, King delivered the widely known I have a dream speech on August 28^th 1963 during the March on Washington. It is important to note that this march was organized by a group of civil rights, labor and religious organizations promulgating for jobs, freedom and equity (Tuttle; 1999). What relevance did his speech have? This paper seeks to look into this question. The paper will analyze the speech by looking at four key areas; what was the speakers goal? What was the main message being conveyed? Why was he delivering the speech and was he addressing the right crowd? Did the achieve speech any objectives?

Purpose of the speech

Dr. Kings speech, as mentioned, was delivered to an audience which had participated in the Washington march. This march was aimed at advocating for jobs and freedom of the minorities especially the black community. Often, people ask whether the speech was aimed at educating, persuading, motivating or entertaining the crowd. In my view, this speech met all the above mentioned criterions. In as far as educating goes, the speech educated the blacks and other minority groups on their rights of equality and freedom (Voting, 196). This is achieved when Dr. King quotes excerpts from the constitution and the declaration of independence. He asserts that When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men  yes, black men as well as white men  would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (Marable & Mullings;201- 209). Many people might not have been familiar with this. They perhaps thought that the constitution and the declaration of independence were designed for the white community in America. This speech also persuaded and motivated the legislation of the civil rights bill and the action of the black community in fighting for their rights respectively.

In 1964, congress passed the civil rights act. An area that might have been used as a motivator for the blacks is during the repetition of the I have a dream phrase. A good example is that of, I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed, We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal (Marable & Mullings; 200-225). This line was a motivator of action then and is still is a motivator of action today. The racial inequality that was rampant during those times, greatly declined as a result of this speech. This speech entertained the crowd. I, however, do not think that this was in Dr. Kings plan. The speech entertained the crowd then much as it entertains many today. The manner in which the speech was delivered, by great use of stylistic devices made the speech very entertaining. Stylistic devices used in this speech included great use of satire and splendid use of anaphora (repetition). The manner in which the speech is delivered, as though it is a church sermon makes it satirical and rhetoric. Dr. King also borrows from great cultural texts, such as Lincolns Gettysburg address when he uses the phrase five score years ago& This is satirical and ironical considering that the period of five years is not the one in question. Repetition is used in most part of the phrase. Major areas where repetition is used include I have a dream free at last with this faith and in many other areas. John Lewis, US representative, asserted that By speaking the way he did, he educated, he inspired, and he informed not just the people there, but people throughout America and unborn generations. This was the goal of the speech (American Rhetoric).

What is the main message that was delivered?

It was the aim of the march to advocate and call out for jobs and freedom equality. Dr. King on the other hand, through this speech, advocated for racial equality and an end to discrimination (Tuttle; 109). This might be in line with the main purpose of the march but it is a little bit off track. His message focused on racial equality as well as an end to discrimination. He, however, does not specify the race as being black in this case implying that it was all forms of racial discrimination. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed, We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal (Marable & Mullings; 276). This is the most significant text that passes across this message. America is a great nation and comprises of people of diverse racial backgrounds. It comprises of Negroes, Caucasians and mongoloids. This people have to co-exist with each other in all circumstances and situations. It was (and still is) a religious teaching in America and the rest of the world that all men are equal. Dr. King was a staunch Christian. Christianity advocates for equality of all persons. It was therefore his message, as seen in the phrase, that all people in America should start living as equals and provide equal opportunities to all people regardless of the race of a person. According to Marrable and Mullings, (306) the speech stated, Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood (Marable & Mullings, 306). This is just but another powerful phrase from the speech that indicates the extent to which Dr. King was against racial injustice. He advocated for the coming together of the different people and later on harnessing the spirit of team work.

Why was he delivering the speech and was he addressing the right crowd?

Dr. King was one of the main speakers during the Washington march. He was addressing the crowd as a member of the big six. In attendance were over 500, 000 people. 200,000 of these were the police while the other 300, 000 were civilians. This goes to show the extent in which matters were out of hand in the country. Over 80% of the civilians participating were from the black community. Civil rights activist Medgar Evers had just been assassinated due to racial reasons. This had agitated the black community. They were fed up with the ever increasing cases of assassination of their own by the whites who were pro racial discrimination. Martin Luther King was delivering the speech to put an end to all this. He wanted to urge the white community to embrace racial equality and justice. While he also advocated for tolerance among members of the black community and that they should not take matters in their own hands by revolting through a similar kind of massacre. Martin Luther was indeed addressing the right crowd, owing to the fact that it is the black community that was facing racial discrimination in great extents.

Was the objective of the speech achieved?

In the long run, the objective of the speech was wholly achieved. America today has a black president. Racial discrimination in America is a gone case, though there still exist cases of racial discrimination and inequalities in few other areas. The world has also embraced tendencies that promulgate equality of the races. Through this Act, major changes were made in the countrys history. The act aimed at prohibiting any kind of discrimination in communal facilities and employment in the government. This act was passed in 1964. As a result, the National Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965. This act proscribed prejudiced voting practice that had been responsible for the widespread disenfranchisement of African Americans in the United States (voting rights).

Conclusion

The speech by Dr. King changed many lives and shaped the history of America in as far as racial discrimination is concerned. Although he did not live to see his dream, many African Americans are living this dream. As noted, the current president of the US is an African American. It is no surprise; therefore, that Martin Luther king is regarded as one of the most prolific leaders in the history of the United States of America.

Work cited

Marable, Manning and Mullings, Leith. Freedom: A Photographic History of the African American Struggle, London: Phaidon, 2002.

Williams, Juan. Eyes on the Prize: Americas Civil Rights Years, 1954-1965, New York: Viking, 1987.

Tuttle,Kate. March on Washington, 1963.

Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience, New York: Perseus, 1999. American Rhetoric.

Bush signs Voting Rights Act extension: Historic 1965 law renewed for 25 years. Associated Press. 2006. Web.

In 1842 Henry David Thoreau did not to pay his taxes. He did the same thing the following year. In 1846 he was arrested for failure to pay taxes. Thoreau decided not to pay his taxes in order to protest slavery (Dillman 1). It was an illegal arrest. The law states that imprisonment should be the last resort. The government had the power to seize Thoreaus property, in order to pay for his taxes. However, the law was circumvented so that authorities could place him behind bars. After his release, Thoreau wrote the famous Civil Disobedience essay that inspired many people to speak against tyranny. It is highly probable that Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) was inspired by Thoreaus action. In the same manner, MLK deliberately transgressed the law to compel law enforcement officials to arrest him (Peterson 502). Using the same strategy, MLK publicized his struggles by writing the Letter from Birmingham Jail. MLK made a compelling argument against the evils of discrimination and segregation through the said letter.

Background

MLK is known as a great speaker. However, speechmaking is not the only weapon in his arsenal. MLK is a prodigious talent when it comes to writing thought provoking letters about segregation and racism in America. On Good Friday, April 12, 1963, MLK was arrested in Birmingham, Alabama (Flora 430). The arresting officer said that he was guilty of leading an illegal demonstration. MLK did not resist the law enforcers sent to arrest him. It was the beginning of a non-violent protest that culminated in the writing of the letter.

The letter was written while he was in solitary confinement. The letter was dated April 16, 1963 (Flora 430). He was released after eight days (Flora 430). However, the letter was smuggled out of prison a few days earlier. In the first few weeks, the letter was published in pamphlet form (Flora 430). After some time, the letter was published in magazines. Millions of Americans were able to read the said letter.

Effectiveness of the Letter

A well-crafted opening statement bolstered MLKs effective argument. MLK wrote the following: My Dear Fellow Clergymen (Rieder 12). The impact of the opening statement is comparable to Jesus rebuking the Pharisees of ancient Israel. The Pharisees are very religious. They follow strict rules. They sometimes go beyond the laws of God. They created their man-made laws to distinguish themselves from ordinary believers. Nevertheless, Jesus rebuked them. Jesus told them that they are hypocrites. Jesus told them that they are like whitewashed tombs. This means that they appear beautiful from the outside. But they are rotten inside.

MLKs opening statement was an eye opener for many readers due to several reasons. First, it dispelled any notion that MLK was a radical. It dispelled any suggestion that he was a terrorist. According to one commentary: Given his frazzled state of mind when he starts writing, the overture seems remarkable. How can one square the image of a reckless agitator with the precious formality of his greeting? (Rieder 12). The opening statement helps establish the fact that MLKs motive was not to create chaos.

He also created a powerful image of an intelligent and peace-loving man who was willing to go to jail for his beliefs. It is impossible to ignore acts of heroism. As a result people were compelled to listen to his argument.

There is another reason why the opening statement bolstered the effectiveness of his argument. MLK challenged one of the symbols of Americas moral authority. The ability to distinguish between right and wrong is made possible through the help of religious leaders. MLK demonstrated to the readers that even those who were supposed to know right from wrong made an error when it came to racism.

MLK made it clear that white religious leaders were not trustworthy instruments when it came to transforming America. MLK wrote the following:

In spite of my shattered dreams, I came to Birmingham with the hope that the white religious leadership of this community would see the justice of our cause and, with deep moral concern, would serve as the channel through which our just grievances could reach the power structure. I had hoped that each of you would understand. But again I have been disappointed (King par.34).

With a stroke of a pen, MLK demolished a major obstacle to social reforms. He realized that white religious leaders were very influential. They gave their approval on racism and segregation. MLK enabled the readers to see the truth.

MLKs effective argument was bolstered by a second factor. He was able to disarm the readers hostility towards him. Therefore, he was very conscious of the fact that the letter will be read by millions of white people all over America. MLK needed to win them over to his side.

In order to win them over to his side, he needed to shatter their misconceptions about an African American man perceived to be the leader of mass rallies in the South. Before he wrote the letter the image of an angry protester was the only image that was accessible to the ordinary citizen. The image of the angry protester convinced white people that the protesters were agitators. However, MLK turned things around when he displayed his skills in diplomacy. There was no hint of anger in his voice.

There was a third factor that bolstered the effectiveness of MLKs argument. MLK was able to disarm his detractors. His critics labeled him as an outsider and a troublemaker. Therefore, they expected MLK to fire back in the same way. However, MLK acknowledged the fact that he was an outsider. He also pointed out that the clergymen were sincere in their efforts to diffuse the tension within Birmingham. However, he made it clear that the clergymen were afraid to embrace change. They wanted to maintain the status quo.

Conclusion

MLK was able to develop an effective argument against racism and segregation. The effectiveness of his argument was bolstered by three factors. First, he displayed grace even when he was under tremendous pressure. Second, he demonstrated that he was not an agitator. Finally, he disarmed is opponents through his acknowledgement of their sincerity to diffuse the tension in Birmingham. As a result he was able to win them over to his side. He succeeded in creating an eye opener for the readers. As a result they were willing to listen to his argument. At the end, MLK was able to explain why white religious leaders were ineffective instruments of change. They want to end the tension, however, they were afraid to embrace change. They wanted to maintain the status quo. MLK persuaded the readers to consider the sacrifices needed to implement change. In order to abolish segregation, sacrifices had to be made. He created a powerful argument by demonstrating his willingness to go to jail.

Works Cited

Flora, Joseph. The Companion to Southern Literature. LA: Louisiana State University Press, 2002. Print.

King, Martin Luther. Letter from Birmingham Jail. African Studies Center. University of Pennsylvania, 1963. Web.

Peterson, Linda. The Norton Reader: An Anthology of Nonfiction. New York: Norton & Company, 2011. Print.

Rieder, Jonathan. Gospel of Freedom. New York: Blumsbury Press, 2013. Print.

Although nowadays we have the recent technologies that allow people to become stars in a second, these technologies can destroy the reputation of famous people and impact them adversely. Some people might think that it is easy to become influential and famous today due to the emergence of social media and the fast spread of information. Nevertheless, it is essential to emphasize that bloggers and media persons success is superficial and does not reflect what they have done to become famous and how long it took. Looking at someone popular on YouTube and in The Voice, people do not consider the time and effort a person puts into getting attention and catapult to stars because of the rapid speed of changes and new trends evolving.

Struggles that famous artists faced previously, such as suffering from mental illness, depression, and drug addiction, exist nowadays and did not disappear, but they also have evolved with time. I would disagree that todays artists, entertainers, and writers have fewer struggles than other public figures in the past had. For instance, we still observe that famous people suffer from drug addiction or are involved in gang violence and become victims of this way of life, such as rappers Mac Miller, Lil Peep, XXXTentacion.

Moreover, with the appearance of online platforms, famous people faced struggles that are transformed and influential. For example, cyberbullying, online abuse, backlashes are among significant problems that artists, such as Selena Gomez, Ed Sheeran, Demi Lovato, confronted. Sometimes, this online bullying has led to mental issues of celebrities and the commitment of suicides. Thus, it is a controversial statement that nowadays, famous people have only a few struggles; instead, these struggles changed and became different but did not vanish.

Luther King wrote his letter with the aim to inform the clergy that he had a right to be in Birmingham and that his actions had moral, just, and honorable reasons. He uses rhetorical devices to convince not only them but also the rest of the American citizens. Above all, King drew deep comparisons and called Birmingham Americas worst city for racism (King 79). He set out to bring justice and peace to all people, not only to the state but to the rest of the country as well.

King also used parallelism to strengthen his arguments and enhance credibility. In this way, the letter crashes into the audiences consciousness. The constant descriptions of hardship black faces, comparisons, and repetition make it seem like a constant routine that they endure. He also includes metaphors in his writing that paint a visual picture of black peoples oppression, who do not seem to have even the slightest chance of escaping it.

King can also capture readers attention and let them sympathize with what black people have experienced across America using pathos. By vividly describing the violence, injustice, and brutality that Dr. King witnessed, audiences can better understand the issue at hand and are more likely to adhere to his points of view and actions rather than those of the clergy. The use of the words gritted teeth, unarmed, and nonviolent makes the audience truly see the inhumanity of police brutality toward people who are peacefully protesting (King 85).

For the clergy and the entire American people to believe and support his arguments, Dr. King must have facts and arguments about indifference about bombings in black homes. If King had not written such strong and effective rhetorical writing, the strength of the Civil Rights Movements outrage and momentum he recognizes would have been diminished.

Work Cited

King Jr, Martin Luther. Letter from Birmingham Jail. The Atlantic Monthly, vol.212, no.2, 1963, pp 78- 88.

The letter from Birmingham Prison, written by famed human rights activist Martin Luther King, is a consistent response to criticism about the rationale behind his and his followers actions. Kings activist actions and his spread of awareness of the need for tolerance for race, culture and religion are called untimely and unwise. The purpose of the letter is to justify the actions of King and his associates, which should demonstrate the comment of Kings opponent as inspired by massive prejudice and fear.

The author reasonably begins his essay by explaining why it was composed. The essay emerged as a response to a criticism that King feels was made out of real misunderstanding, not blind enmity. By calling his addressee a person of good will, King rhetorically disposes the interlocutor to understand another perspective, which can also exist in the name of a good cause. At the same time, the author emphasizes that it is for this reason that he generally undertook to respond to criticism. There are so many negative reactions to Kings protest actions that he uses hyperbolic comparisons to emphasize it.

Kings letter is an attempt to answer why it is impossible to build a dialogue between the oppressed and the oppressors. The author uses the accusation against his activity in inciting violence and turns it against the opponent. King argues that his actions should create the necessary critical tension in order to ensure the onset of dialogue between the parties. At the moment, according to him, this dialogue is impossible due to the aggressive attitude of the other side. The opponent, according to King, uses the accusation of aggression in order to make the dialogue with minorities meaningless and turn it into a one-sided monologue.

King uses comparisons with the great humanist figures, Jesus Christ, the Greek philosopher Socrates, in order to emphasize the opposition between the state system and the individual throughout human history. He emphasizes that a fair and equal dialogue is impossible in a situation where a person is forced to withdraw his efforts in order for their demand for rights to be heard in general. It is important for King that the perspective of the little person is viewed in the context of confronting the collective consciousness.

The author strives to change the perception of his opponent, forcing them to understand that throughout history it was often the society, the crowd, that turned out to be insane, in contrast to the individual. The human rights activist has a certain stigma in society that, in order to maintain the oppressive order of things, are ready to accuse them of inciting violence.

This letter needs to be taken in the context of the social tension of its time, which explains the really contradictory tone of this essay. Kings letter may seem shocking in its own right, since its last pages can in fact be interpreted as an apology for extremism. However, the social pathos and the desire to sharpen the problematic issue in the discussion as much as possible explain this fierce intonation of the author. In this way, Martin Luther King wants to make the problem the subject of lively discussion, real dialogue, instead of hushing up the prevailing cruelty and injustice. The letter clearly copes with its goal of giving the reader an understanding of the social imbalance and the paradoxical position of a fighter for his rights in society.

Introduction

Martin Luther King, Jr in his speech Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence argued that US foreign policy was hypocritical when compared to the inequality present in the United States. He spoke at Riverside Church in New York City, a venue that had a history of hosting progressive speakers and thinkers. The speech was given to a large, mixed audience of primarily civil rights activists. In order to convince his audience that the civil rights movement in the United States should oppose the Vietnam War, the speaker appealed to their ethos, pathos, and logos.

Ethos

Ethos, the appeal to the legitimacy and authority of the speaker, is used throughout the speech. Martin Luther King, Jr indicates that he is seen as a figure of authority by the civil rights movement. He states, Many people have questioned me about the wisdom of my path. At the heart of their concerns, this query has often loomed large and loud: Why are you speaking about the war, Dr. King? Why are you joining the voices of dissent?(King). Later, he mentions, I am a preacher by calling, I suppose it is not surprising that I have seven major reasons for bringing Vietnam into the field of my moral vision. (King). These statements serve to communicate to the audience that the speaker is someone of authority and should be listened to.

Pathos

The author is using pathos as one of his central rhetorical strategies. Pathos is a method applied to represent an appeal to feelings and emotions in a speech and other various kinds of writing. Martin Luther King notes that we have been repeatedly faced with the cruel irony of watching Negro and white boys on TV screens as they kill and die together for a nation that has been unable to seat them together in the same schools (King). This part of the speech is evoking violent images of death that would affect the emotions of the audience. It also reminds people of inequality through images of everyday life in the United States.

Logos

Lastly, Martin Luther King uses logos in his famous speech. Logos appeals to reasoning and argumentation by applying statistics, factual evidence, and data. The speaker comments, that they wander into the hospitals with at least twenty casualties from American firepower for one Vietcong-inflicted injury. So far we may have killed a million of them, mostly children (King). The author here is using statistics to present the horrifying picture of the Vietnam War. He is using vivid language to describe the casualties; however, they are also supported by evidence, as he is using precise numbers in this part of the speech. Moreover, Martin Luther King states that after the French were defeated, it looked as if independence and land reform would come again through the Geneva Agreement (King). He is using historical facts to create a parallel between the current situation and the past.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Martin Luther King, Jr uses ethos, pathos, and logos, among other rhetorical devices, to support his argument that American policy in Vietnam was inconsistent with its treatment of African-Americans in the United States. He applies ethos to establish credibility, pathos to appeal to emotions, and logos to support his claims with hard evidence. Overall, the effective use of various rhetorical strategies is what makes the speech so valuable.

Work Cited

King, Martin Luther Jr. Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence. Church Meeting, 1967, Riverside Church, New York City. Public Speech.