Dr. King's Letter to the Clergymen

The King Center 

In this blog the reader will be able to gain a better understanding of the language used in "Letter From Birmingham Jail" that was written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.



The “Letter From Birmingham Jail” written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was written in response to a statement that local clergymen wrote questioning his methods of peaceful protest. Dr. King does approach his letter with a scholarly style because he was citing philosophers and theologians, but he also used emotional language to appeal to the reader of his letter as well. He first used emotional language when he wrote “ Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (p. 800) 
this made a lot of people think about how the injustices that were going on could possibly affect them. Similarly, he uses emotional language when he tries to relay the thoughts of his six year old daughter that could not go to the amusement park because it was closed to colored people. He explained that he began to see his daughter developing unconscious bitterness toward white people. I think he is trying to achieve a level of emotion where the reader continues to engage in the letter. He wants the clergymen to really look at the situation from his perspective and the other people that are facing such brutal racism. The clergymen also questioned how Dr. King could encourage to disobey some laws and obey others and he responded that he desires to obey just laws not unjust. From reading the letter from Dr. King I believe that the language was used effectively and supports his argument. I was able to follow the letter well as he switched from more of a scholarly approach to an emotional approach and he appealed to his reader by providing examples and explaining his objectives clearly. I also believe that he appealed effectively to his original audience. He routinely compared his situation to parts of the bible which would be something that his original audience, the clergymen could relate to.