Rhetorical Analysis

Letter From Birmingham Jail

At the peak of the Civil War Movement in the United States of America on April 12th, 1963, eight Alabama clergymen made a public declaration that Martin Luther King’s protests must end due to the hatred and violence they promoted. During the 1960s Dr. King served as the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, also known as the SCLC, which advocated to abolish segregation. The SCLC’s intention was to desist segregation in a nonviolent, peaceful direct action program. Dr. King frequently referred to Birmingham, Alabama as “America’s worst city for racism”. Despite Dr. King’s peaceful efforts, he was sent to Birmingham jail while protesting the ruthless treatment of black people in Birmingham, Alabama after the court had ruled that Dr. King could not protest in Birmingham anymore. The racial divide left the black people no other choice but to take action against the injustices imposed against them. Throughout his letter, Dr. King appeals emotionally to the reader, states facts, and displays his authentic self in an effort to magnify the significant need for the Civil Rights Movement. 

 In the Letter From Birmingham Jail, by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are exposed to the harsh reality of the times in the 1960s. Dr. King uses ethos, pathos, and logos throughout his letter to persuade the readers, which during this time were mostly privileged White Americans, that there is no difference between the White and Black citizens of America. Dr. King begins his letter with “My Dear Fellow Clergymen”. The choice of diction in this letter is nothing short of precise. Dr. King uses these words to establish that the clergymen are not above him and he is no less than them. Dr. King continues his letter by stating that, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’” along with “‘Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.’” Both these statements use pathos to make the reader think and look back on any injustices they may have seen or taken part in. The letter defends and bolsters the nonviolent strategy to combat racism.  Later in the letter, King also states that “We should never forget that everything Adolf Hitler did in Germany was ‘legal’ and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was ‘illegal.’ It was ‘illegal’ to aid and comfort a Jew in Hitler’s Germany. Even so, I am sure that, had I lived in Germany at the time, I would have aided and comforted my Jewish brothers”. Numerous other examples of allusions are listed of other unjust acts of the past and force the reader, and more specifically the clergymen, to think about what they would have done if placed in a Nazi soldier’s position. Would they have helped, or have been a bystander too afraid to speak up? The clergymen label themselves to be ‘good Christians’ yet their actions speak otherwise. The correlation between the acts preformed against the Jews during World War II and the black citizens of America both exemplify unjust laws that evoke nothing but violence and death.  

The letter continues and Dr. King even asks how Black parents are supposed to explain to their children why they are insignificant compared to the White children. This question sparks sadness and hopelessness. Throughout this time period, Black children had no aspirations or goals in life because of the racist and prejudice laws that were set against them. In addition, to pathos, Dr. King also states numerous facts throughout his letter to present the reader with information to prove the injustices that the African American community has been facing during this time in Birmingham, Alabama. Some of his examples of the racial injustices were the violence and police brutality that his community had been facing and the unfair ruling in a court setting. Dr. King seizes the reader’s attention and allows them to sympathize with the violence and hatred that the black people of America have suffered. The sense of urgency for change is also brought to the reader’s attention through Dr. King’s tone. He begins numerous sentences with the term “if…”. The effective method of using the word “if” instills the idea of a consequence. Dr. King defends the nonviolent protestors and pleas for action to stop segregation. 

The reason we look up to Dr. King today and others during this time looked up to him as well is because of his ability to make the weak feel so strong. Dr. King effectively showed the American people the injustices and demanded what needed to be changed in order to bring justice and peace to America. Despite the opposition and the people who constantly wanted to oppress the Black people, Dr. King uses his leadership role to give people the strength and courage they need to stand up for themselves. The letter ends with Dr. King apologizing, he apologizes to anyone he might have offended and for the fact that his letter was so long yet due to the fact that he was in jail at the time, he had all the time in the world to voice his opinions. Without his effective use of rhetorical devices and his persistent, yet compassionate tone, the letter would not have been as prosperous and monumental. The letter inspires urgency and a call-to-action which King, hopes in time, will bring positive change for the black people of America. Dr. King was ultimately one of the most influential and visible spokespersons during the civil rights movements, and we will continue to honor his bravery and courage to fight for what is right.