MLK's Letter From a Birmingham Jail
Read this famous letter and answer the following questions.
1. Who is MLK's target audience?
2. King faced criticism for being in Birmingham as an outsider. Explain this criticism, and his response to it (his rationale for being there).
3. Describe the four basic steps for a nonviolent campaign, as outlined by King
4. Explain, in detail, King’s reaction to the advice “wait” and “give us time to act”.
5. Dr. King describes what a just laws look like. Additionally, he explains at length some ways in which laws can be unjust. Using King’s description of just vs. unjust law, create a “just law rubric” or “just law checklist”. ( Be sure to examine what it means for a law to be just “on it’s face but not in application”)
6. King is more disappointed with the white moderate than with the KKK… please explain this phenomenon. How could King be more upset with moderate whites than violent extremists like clansmen?
7. How is King viewed by fellow clergymen (church leaders)? How does he feel about being viewed this way?
8. Finally, compare MLK to Thoreau? Are there any obvious connections between the two authors??
