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Analysis Of Letter From Birmingham Jail By Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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The “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 while incarcerated for leading a civil rights march in Birmingham, Alabama. “Declaration of Independence” was written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, while preparing the country for a war with Great Britain. Each document was written amongst the midst of a freedom struggle. These struggles were known as the Civil Rights Movement and the American Revolution. According to Eric Badertscher, “Thomas Jefferson, the United States' third president, was one of the founding fathers of the United States, serving both Virginia and the nation in a variety of roles over forty years of public service. Beginning as a member of Virginia's colonial legislature while still in his …show more content…

King was a very influential man and sought after one goal, equality and the freedom from oppression that the African Americans in the United States endured day in and day out during this time period. King instituted many marches, rallies, boycotts, along with numerous prayer and worship sessions during the civil right movement. His work in the field of human rights enabled him to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” King states, “I am in Birmingham because injustice is here.” Oppression, hate, and racial injustice plagued our nation and stood out as one of the most compelling and long-term social wounds during this time period. King went to Birmingham to fight the injustice and was eventually put in jail despite his peaceful efforts. During King’s time spent in Birmingham Jail, many misconceptions and assumptions where held by white clergymen, the media, and numerous amounts of people who questioned his peaceful protests and other activities during his time in Birmingham, Alabama. This influenced him to write “Letter from Birmingham Jail” to address issues such as correcting the mistakes and misconceptions held by the people of Birmingham, Alabama along with, racial injustice, oppression, hate, and justifying the nonviolent civil disobedience presented by King and his followers. Dr. King was unfortunately assassinated on April 4, 1968, but thanks to his efforts, the ultimate goal of equality and freedom from oppression was met later that same

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