Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]

Background

• Date: 16 April 1963
• Author: Martin Luther King Jr.
• Context: Written while confined in Birmingham city jail, as a response to criticisms from fellow clergymen regarding his actions being "unwise and untimely."

Key Reasons for Being in Birmingham

• Invited by Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights for nonviolent direct action.
• To address racial injustices present in Birmingham, which is highly segregated.
• Belief in interconnectedness: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

Stages of Nonviolent Campaign

1. Collection of facts to confirm injustice.
2. Negotiation.
3. Self-purification.
4. Direct action.

Concerns with Local Leadership and Broken Promises

• Broken promises from Birmingham’s economic leaders about removing racial signs.
• Necessary direct action to bring about negotiation and change.

Purpose of Direct Action

• Aims to create a crisis to force negotiation.
• Seeks to address underlying causes of racial tension, not just effects.

Argument Against Waiting for Civil Rights

• Historical inaction and delayed justice: "Justice too long delayed is justice denied."
• Urgency due to ongoing severe racial injustices and the moral duty to act.

Just vs Unjust Laws

• Just laws align with moral law; unjust laws degrade human personality.
• Duty to obey just laws and disobey unjust ones consciously and with willingness to accept the penalty.

Critique of White Moderates

• White moderates prioritize "order" over "justice."
• Frustration with the moderate’s lukewarm acceptance and misunderstanding of the urgency for civil rights.

Disappointment with the Church

• Criticism of the church for not being a strong ally in the civil rights movement.
• Hope for the church to recapture its early spirit and support social justice.

Criticism of Praise for Birmingham Police

• Police actions maintained segregation despite appearing nonviolent.
• Commendation should be directed toward those who courageously fight against injustice.

Closing Thoughts

• Acknowledges the letter’s length due to being written in isolation.
• Expresses hope for mutual understanding and brotherhood.
• Calls for continued faith and effort towards achieving racial justice.

Notable Quotes

• "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
• "Justice too long delayed is justice denied."
• "An unjust law is no law at all."