Letter from Burningham Jail
Essay title: Letter from Burningham Jail
In his Letter from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King effectively presented his arguments by using “ethos” about the racial discrimination that has been happening. He gave emphasis on the legality and truthfulness of their claims and their actions on racial discrimination or segregation.
One of his main points is the aptness of the demonstrations being done by people who condone racial discrimination. He shared that there are clergymen who tag the demonstrations as “unwise and untimely.” But then, he maintained that the Negro community was left with no other option but to prepare for direct action. He also stressed the importance of engaging with “good-faith negotiation” among city fathers of the Negro community leaders. Disappointingly, the city fathers refused to be engaged in negotiations.
Martin Luther King was also successful in establishing credibility through out his letter. One of evidences is his response to the clergymen that he was an “outsider coming in”; referring to his entry to the jail. He answered that he is the president of an organization based on every southern state, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He related their actions against the blatant racial discrimination.
Also, aside from his claims supported by hard facts and evidences, he also resorted to using “pathos” or appeals involving the emotion. But he presented this