Monday, January 21, 2008
Response to Birmingham Letter
That letter was insane.
At first I was apprehensive as to whether or not I would like how he was writing, but towards about the third page, he really grabbed me. His writing was so compelling, and the rhetorical structure he used to address his point was phenomenal.
When MLK begins addressing the major struggles that the negros endure, it absolutely captivates the reader, because it all is so gut wrenching. When he discusses the ridicule that they receive, it's absolutely impossible to stop reading. "Any law that degrades human personality is unjust." That right there is so simply stated, but so complex in meaning. MLK speaks with some gentleness but assertiveness, that he almost forces the reader to acknowledge the seriousness of his letter. Even toward the end, he is apologetic for taking up too much of the reader's time. How can a man with so much purpose, be so kindhearted when the battle has yet to be won?
I thought it was brilliant for him to compare his efforts to those of Paul as need for Macedonia. He asked the reader to "never be considered an outsider" and he often describes he and his fellow negroes as "victims of broken promises." These broken promises begin with the signs that the local businesses refuse to take down, to the idea that negroes still can't enjoy a seat in the front of the bus.
His idea of a direct action program used to create a situation so crisis packed that it will inevitably open the door to negotiation. Althought MLK uses such a gentle tone, his ideas are drawn out, and show concrete ideas and planning. It is obvious that he is not toying with these ideas, but planning of prevailing.
I like how he offers the gainer a more personal approach to understanding the difference between the 2 laws of unjust and just. He addresses the audience by saying that Adolf Hitler's possession of Germany, and persection of the Jews was "legal" but the Freedom Fighters and their attempts to change the world, was considered "illegal."
He compares Asia and Africa's "speed toward gaining political independence" with "negroes still fighting to be served a cup of coffee."
This was by far one of my favorite reads in a long time!
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