"Letter from Birmingham Jail" Quiz

Who was James Meredith?

American civil rights activist who gained national renown at a key juncture in the civil rights movement in 1962, when he became the first African American student at the University of Mississippi

How does King turn the tables on his critics?

King turns the tables of his critics by saying that the white men caused the demonstrations; therefore, the ones whom are oppressive and violent are actually those who advocate for white supremacy; the white men leave no other choice than for the blacks to upraise in demonstration for their rights

How does King support that "we did not move irresponsibly into direct action"?

MLK addressed the violations of their rights by white men, and that many steps were taken into consideration to persuade negotiation; yet, still no progress was made, so persistence has to continue; also, many moved into direct action as every negotiation was met with postponement to aid

How does this paragraph strengthen the purpose?

MLK is trying to say that despite hate and persecution, he will move passed the oppression with the help of God and his supporters; he is also comparing himself to early Christians and relating their persecution to his

What is MLK's argument against the statement by clergymen that MLK encourages people to break the law?

MLK says that he in no sense advocates evading or defying the law as the rapid segregationist would do. This would lead to anarchy, but one who breaks an unjust law must do it openly and lovingly and with a willingness to accept the penalty; he also says that by accepting the penalty it advocates and expresses the highest respect for the law; MLK, for example, was arrested simply because he was parading without a permit; he says it is legitimate

How does King support his claim that "oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever."?

The urge for freedom will eventually come, as it is a man's birthright for freedom; the Negro community must also release their pent-up resentments and frustrations through marches instead of violent actions

(True/False): There have been white demonstrators to advocate for black civil rights

True

(True/False): MLK admits that his demonstrations are unfortunate. What does he find to be more unfortunate though?

True; that the white power structure of the city has left the Negro community with no other alternative than to demonstrate

What are the two seminal U.S. documents King refers to and what is the impact of this reference?

the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. The impact of this reference is to acknowledge that the White men are creating a society, which the principles of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence do not apply to everyone, despite it saying that the US is independent and the 14th Amendment saying that all in the US are free

What organization is MLK the president of?

the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)

How does MLK relate himself to Paul the Apostle?

both were compelled to carry out the gospel of freedom beyond their villages or hometowns

According to King, the purpose of direct nonviolent action is to...

create tension so that people have to confront an issue

What is another of MLK's disappointments? Why?

the White Church and its leadership; most of the churches preach one thing and then do another thing and promote love, but implement segregation

King compares himself to early Christian prophets because they...

did not submit to unjust laws

What does "blatant" mean?

done openly or without shame

Because of the church's resiliency to helping the black community, what did MLK question?

the faithfulness or character of their religion

Why does MLK think he will reach his goal of freedom?

the goal of America is freedom itself

What does MLK mainly question about society's laws?

how it could possibly be democratically-structured

In this chunk, King evaluates the church. What does he say and how does he support his perspective?

is that the Church is no longer strict on its policies and conforms to what is popular opinion. Their voices is not heard and becomes irrelevant in society as it loses its true purpose or message; he says the church has too much "laxity"

What is King's response to the clergymen warmly commending the police for keeping "order" and "preventing violence"?

is that they wouldn't have commended the police's actions if they didn't sit on the sidelines and not be not involved in the violence. If they saw dogs biting at unarmed blacks, police treating imprisoned blacks inhumanely, and old and young Negroes getting denied food, they might change their views. - King is trying to say of course they commend the police because society portrays blacks as violent criminals

What did St. Thomas Acquinas indicate about an unjust law?

it is any law that isn't rooted in eternal and natural law

According to MLK, how is freedom recieved?

it must be demanded by the oppressed since it isn't voluntarily given by the oppressor

What will happen to the Church if it does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church?

it will lose with authentic ring, it will become irrelevant, and it will dismiss the loyalty of millions

What will happen if white brothers continue to dismiss the nonviolent black protesters?

many blacks will find security in black nationalist groups and will lead to racial nightmares

What would have happened if the philosophy of love and nonviolent protest didn't emerge?

many streets of the South would be flowing with floods of blood

What kind of figurative language is used in the sentence: "ill-formed infant of frustration"

metaphor

What is MLK's plan for communities to confront the issues?

nonviolent direct action and dramatization of the issue so that it can be no longer ignored

Why did King get wrong about his fellow men of God?

originally, MLK felt he had the support of the white Church within his protests; yet, many were opponents as the refused to understand the movement and remained cautious or remained silent to avoid persecution. Also MLK thought the white church could serve as a channel for black voices to be heard, but it seemed like the leaders were going by law not what was morally right

How did the black community know they were victims of a broken promise?

segregationist policies and signs remained despite several promises by white society; therefore, many decided to take direct-action so that their rights were met (failed)

Why was MLK and his supporters constantly postponing their demonstrations?

so that the demonstration could not be used to cloud the issues of the political climate

In line 210, King alludes to Paul Tillich's opinion that "sin is separation" to...

strengthen his moral argument against segregation

What black organization agreed to prohibit any type of demonstration?

the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights

What is the purpose of including the steps to a nonviolent campaign?

the importance is that these steps are not for one particular moment as this is a well-thought out plan that MLK has constantly used for negotiation, but still white men denounce it - these steps are: 1.) determining if the injustices are alive or not, 2.) negotiation, 3.) self-purification (non-retaliation), 4.) direct-action

What is the tone of paragraph 7?

the overall tone is disappointment as many leaders promised desegregation; yet, they failed to do so. Due to this, a sense of persistence and hope were also met.

What was MLK's concept of self-purification?

the process in which one cleanses the ugliness within himself before he tries to go out and change the world

What does the letter defend?

the strategy of nonviolent resistance to racism. It says that people have a moral responsibility to break unjust laws and to take direct action rather than waiting potentially forever for justice to come through the courts

What was the emotional everyday feeling of a negro?

they constantly felt like they had to "walk on eggshells" plagued with inner fears and outer resentments

What strategies does MLK use to make himself so effective and influential?

through strategies such as using emotional strategies of persuasion as well as logical facts. He also tries to take the other sides' argument and put them "in their place"

What is the importance of "direct action"?

to establish tension as the issue can be no longer ignored and open the door to negotiation and growth

Why does MLK include sections of religious figures in his letter?

to sway and appeal to those whom are of that particular religion within the clergy

To "retaliate" means to...

to take revenge

King uses the evidence that other nations are gaining political independence to argue against...

waiting for freedom

How is the force of bitterness and hatred expressed?

within various black nationalist groups

How did the clergymen describe MLK and his supporters?

as extremists

What does "cognizant" mean?

aware

What is MLK's call to action?

"If the inexpressible cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail. We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands."

How does MLK respond to being called an "outsider"

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"

What is King's compliment to his critics? What does he gain?

"Since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and your criticisms are sincerely set forth"; he is trying to show that he is peaceful and shows respect (their criticisms also motivates him and keeps them busy)

According to King, why are the "white moderates" a bigger obstacle than the KKK?

"White moderates" are more devoted to "order" than to justice, they prefer a negative peace with the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice, they can't agree with methods of direct action, and they set another man's timetable for freedom, they also express lukewarm/low-enthusiastic acceptance

How does King differentiate between just and unjust laws? How does he defend his actions?

- Just Law: A man-made code that squares with moral law (the law of God) - Unjust Law: A code that bis out of harmony with the moral law or a law that has no law at all; a law in which the majority inflicts on a mnority that is not binding on itself *MLK defends his actions by saying that segregation is sinful and damages the soul into thinking one is superior or inferior

What are the 4 accusations made against MLK's campaign by the clergymen?

1.) MLK was an "outsider"; 2.) Should negotiate for change rather than demonstrate; 3.) Actions were "untimely"; 4.) Encouraging people to break the law

When was the 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' written? By whom?

April 16, 1963; Martin Luther King, Jr.

Where is MLK from?

Atlanta, GA

Where is the main setting taking place?

Birmingham, AL jail

What was probably the most segregated city in the U.S. back in this time?

Birmingham, Alabama; this is mainly due to the ugly brutality of the police, unjust treatments in courts, bombings of black homes and churches

What are the similarities to Thoreau? How does King support the idea of civil disobedience?

Both MLK and Thoreau wrote their letters in jail; King supports the idea of civil disobedience because he is saying that at no matter the costs sometimes defying law is because one's rights are violated in accordance with the Constitution and becoming arrested for injustice expresses the highest respect for the law

What was the 1954 Supreme Court Case?

Brown v. Board of Education was a landmark United States Supreme Court case in which the Court declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional

What was the largest black nationalist group in America?

Elijah Muhammad's Muslim Movement (Black Muslims); it is made up of people who have lost faith in America, repudiated Christianity, and concluded the white man is incurable

What does King mean in lines 37-38 when he says, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"?

Everyone is affected when one person is hurt.

What is the basis for King's argument against the idea that he is an outsider who came to Birmingham?

He has organizational ties to Birmingham, plus he was invited there

What religion was MLK and most of the black community?

Judeo-Christian

Take a close look at paragraphs 44-47. How does King conclude his letter? What is the impact to his audience (those 8 clergymen)?

King concludes his letter by saying that he apologizes if he in any way overshot or minimized the truth of what he proposed and asks for forgiveness. He wishes that he can become a loving brother to the white men and not be a person who simply forces equality and racial justice. He lastly wants the "dark clouds" and "heavy fog" to pass away as to bring love, peace, and unity back to the great nation. This impact makes it seem as though he is not trying to force their conformity but merely state what a better nation would be illustrated as.

What are the commonalities between King & Thoreau?

The commonalities between MLK and Thoreau are that they both hold true the statement that one has the right to protest or rebel against tyranny and/or an oppressor, even in cases where it is illegal to do so. MLK says, "Any unjust law is a code that a majority inflicts on a minority that is not binding on itself."

Who were Mr. Boutwell and Mr. Connor?

White segregationists who were dedicated to the task of maintaining the status quo

What are the "two opposing forces" that King stands in the middle of?

a force of complacency and a force of bitterness and hatred (which advocates violence)

What is a "moratorium" ?

a temporary prohibition of an activity

What does King confess to be "rather disappointed" about. What examples does he give?

about how no matter how he and his people display nonviolent direction, the clergy men will continue to call them extremists and drain their self-respect; also disappointed with white men as they advocate "order" over justice and moderates don't realize that they are the ones that are causing the negative tension

What were the opinions of the 8 clergymen regarding dealing with the social injustices?

agreed that social injustices existed but argued that the battle against racial segregation should be fought solely in the courts, not the streets

What criticisms does King raise against White moderates?

few white men have the vision to see that injustice must be rooted out by strong, persistent, and determined action; furthermore, MLK is trying to address that the majority of white men don't recognize the need for action to combat segregation

What is the purpose of "tension" in MLK's opinion?

first of all, MLK has always preached against violent tension and rather follows constructive tension necessary for growth and to have individuals rise from bondage; if this works it might lead to understanding and brotherhood

What does "deplore" mean?

greatly disapprove of

How does MLK defend himself when the clergymen say his actions were "unwise" and "untimely"?

he admits that his direct-action movements have never been well-timed, but he has heard the word "wait" too many times. As this word is postponed it becomes a word that means "never" and that it is not right for the black community to wait longer as their ancestors have been waiting 340 years for; he also gives gruesome examples and persuades through pathos saying that why would the black community wait while more deaths will occur due to it

In his opening paragraph, King says that he rarely pauses to answer criticisms, but he is replying to the clergymen because...

he believes them to be sincere and good.

How does King change the connotation of the word "extremist" to work in his favor?

he changes extremist to mean someone who is fully persistent and displays advocacy for others. He cites an extremist to be one who represents love and truth, such as Jesus Christ. This may make clergy men see his actions differently as he pertains to persuasion through religion

Even though MLK rarely answers his criticisms, why does he find it important to address the clergymen's issues with the black community?

he feels that they are men of genuine good will and that their criticisms are sincerely set forth, plus he wants to negotiate by being patient and reasonable

What are examples did MLK offer to support his argument about demonstrating rather than negotiating for change?

he has used negotiation and nonviolent direct action, but there comes a time when the issue can be no longer ignored, tension is necessary for nonviolent registers, and that he preaches against violent tension and rather use constructive nonviolent tension for growth; feels it is necessary to create tension to have men rise out from the bondages of objective appraisal and to promote brotherhood; also says that society has promoted only for white men to speak, and not the black community to be included

How does King respond to being an outsider?

he says he is already familiar with Birmingham, injustice is a threat to everywhere, and that he is being persecuted just like the Christians during Jesus' time and he will carry the gospel of Jesus Christ no matter the situation; "Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider"

What is King's point in quoting T.S. Eliot?

he tries to point out that the clergy men can make it look like they are at peace and cooperation with blacks, but if it is not meaningful, it will not work and it is not good enough for the Black Community

Who was Reverend Stallings?

he welcomed Negroes into his Baptist Church worship service on a non-segregated basis