Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil Disobedience

Read the excerpt from "Letter from Birmingham Jail." We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. King includes this sentence to a. draw attention to the interrelationship of events. b. illustrate the connectivity of his professional network. c. challenge the concept of predetermined destiny. d. explain his plan for a peaceful demonstration.

a. draw attention to the interrelationship of events.

Read the excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." 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, so must we see the need for nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice. Why does King use this allusion? a. to appeal to his critics' intellect b. to define democratic principles c. to commemorate a famous leader d. to decry the bondage of ancient Greece

a. to appeal to his critics' intellect

Read the excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." I have tried to stand between these two forces, saying that we need emulate neither the "do nothingism" of the complacent nor the hatred and despair of the black nationalist. How does King support this claim? a. by listing churches who support his nonviolent stand b. by describing nonviolent direct action as a peaceful middle ground c. by urging church leaders to abandon their "do nothing" approaches d. by insisting that complacency is preferable to hatred and violence

b. by describing nonviolent direct action as a peaceful middle ground

Read the excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." Just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town. Why does King use this allusion? a. to share historical precedent b. to emphasize the morality of his cause c. to define the purpose of his travel d. to compare the goals of famous leaders

b. to emphasize the morality of his cause

Read the excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." But such an ordinance becomes unjust when it is used to maintain segregation and to deny citizens the First-Amendment privilege of peaceful assembly and protest. Why does King use this allusion? a. to compare two historic documents b. to urge patriotic responsibility c. to issue a call for action d. to state a moral dilemma

b. to urge patriotic responsibility

Read the excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." In no sense do I advocate evading or defying the law, as would the rabid segregationist. King includes this sentence to a. praise the efforts of local police. b. clarify the purpose of his protest. c. distinguish himself from radicals. d. define the term "segregationist."

c. distinguish himself from radicals.

Read the excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." It is unfortunate that demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham, but it is even more unfortunate that the city's white power structure left the Negro community with no alternative. How does King support this claim? a. by providing the names of corrupt public figures b. by explaining Birmingham's segregationists laws c. by quoting the racist sentiments of city leaders d. by describing Birmingham's record of injustice

d. by describing Birmingham's record of injustice

Read the excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." Of course, there is nothing new about this kind of civil disobedience. It was evidenced sublimely in the refusal of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to obey the laws of Nebuchadnezzar, on the ground that a higher moral law was at stake. King uses this allusion to a. retell an important historical tale. b. describe a governmental struggle in a foreign land. c. explain the reason for his peaceful approach. d. forge a connection with familiar figures of faith.

d. forge a connection with familiar figures of faith.

Read the excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law. Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Why does King use this allusion? a. to appeal to his critics' sense of duty b. to describe an historical precedent c. to commemorate a famous leader d. to encourage a consideration of ethics

d. to encourage a consideration of ethics

Read the excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." Frankly, I have yet to engage in a direct action campaign that was "well timed" in the view of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation. What is the author's purpose for including this sentence? a. to establish the suffering experienced under segregation b. to define the concept of a direct action campaign c. to criticize the public officials who endorse segregation d. to explain his unwillingness to postpone his efforts

d. to explain his unwillingness to postpone his efforts