Monday, January 21, 2008

Response to "Letter From Birmingham Jail"

     Dr. King's "Letter From Birmingham Jail" is brilliant.  I am not able to sufficiently describe my deep emotion from this piece - by all means it is good writing.  He eloquently addresses criticism by explaining honestly and openly how he sees it differently.  For each point he includes many examples; he brings common examples and historical ones into his argument.  His historical examples relate his cause to those of great thinkers such as Socrates and great advocates for change such as Jesus.  His examples are so true I would imagine they would be hard to dispute.  The only disagreement would be created by someone who did not read his argument or refused to acknowledge the truth out of ignorance.  With these logical, historical associations, Dr. King also brings in personal examples that are so strong that any open reader would feel his emotions.  Along with his wonderful ideas, Dr. King includes so many profound truths.  It would do everyone good to read this letter, and be forced to realize how many of the issues could be addressed today.  The prejudice he describes still exists today; some of the people being victimized are different.  The lower class, gays, Muslims, people from the Middle East, Mexicans, and many more meet with hard prejudice today.  Many churches reinforce these prejudices, just like the churches he described.  If only every ill-treated minority had such a powerful speaker and fighter for freedom, equality, and peace, the world would be a far better place.

If someone this great existed, and helped to change the world, it gives me hope that the world is better off than I felt.  There are always those who come and help change the world.  He does so much more b talking and speaking out against what is wrong!  I wish I had the courage to speak the truth in such as way as the world is forced to hear.

One side note - Dr. King new much more about writing and acting to change the world than the author of Writing to Change the World.

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