Introduction
Analyzing Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” it is possible to state that this work is highly credible, trustworthy, and persuasive. In this letter, using various strategies, Dr. King tries to convince his audience explaining to readers why Blacks’ non-violent demonstrations for civil right are essential (Marshall, 2016).
Discussion
First of all, the character of people’s non-violence is reflected in the author’s polite and respectful manner to address his audience. Using the cordial tone, Dr. King (1963) writes “I feel that you are men of genuine good” to White clergymen calling them Jewish and Christian friends knowing, at the same time, that they support discrimination (para. 1). In this way, the writer proofs that he and other protestants did not have any violent intentions. Another technique used by Dr. Kings is addressing people’s emotions, logic, and competence. Writing “but when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim,” Dr. King (1963) aims to evoke readers’ emotions and help them understand others’ feeling (para. 12). At the same time, he provides facts that determined demonstrations and historical parallels for the audience to realize that in the case of any oppression, people’s fight for their human rights is inevitable.
Conclusion
At the same time, while the letter is highly persuasive, its addressees’ understanding is questionable as White clergymen are involved in long-lasting discrimination supporting white supremacy and the ability of a Black person’s one letter to change their mind is doubtful regardless of its credibility.
References
King Jr., M. L. (1963). Letter from Birmingham Jail. Web.
Marshall, K. (2016). Martin Luther King, Jr., and the art of persuasion. Medium. Web.