Letters / Response to Dr. Kings Letter to Clergymen Essay [3]

We had to write an argumentive essay responding to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. responds to the clergymen's letter to him in Birmingham Jail. We were to include a counter argument.

Martin Luther King strongly believes in protesting for the Civil Rights of African American citizens. I agree with his argument and viewpoint completely. There are two kinds of citizens in the US, citizens and non-citizens. There should be no in-between when it comes to citizenships and rights. If someone doesn't act for equality things will never change.

To be direct, African Americans are citizens just as much as Caucasians. The Africans that were brought to the states helped build this nation. In actuality the only true citizens or "all Americans" are the Native Americans. In the Declaration of Independence, it says all men are created equal. This means that there are no second-class citizens. Martin Luther King is protesting for that to be a truth in the United States. The Constitution is made for everyone. Martin Luther King is protesting so that the Constitution will not only be used against us but for us, as it is with Caucasians.

To elaborate, the government affects blacks. We have to stop at red light, pay our taxes, and obey the speed limit. So, we should be able to elect the people that are going to ultimately affect our lives the greatest. With protesting voices will be heard and African american will be recognized as a part of the country. If no one acts on voting rights for African Americans, then the matter will appear as contentment and will be looked at as something that is not necessary. Then African Americans would seem to enjoy the blissful ignorance.

The problems of inequality will not simply just die down if things are left alone. In fact, things will only continue to get worse with each passing day. Frustration will continue to boil causing violence. Hate crimes will come as often as mosquito bites. Standing up for Civil Rights is the best thing for African Americans and Caucasians. Martin Luther King is a role model and gives his oppressed people hope by doing what he does. To tell Dr. King to stop his demonstrations is the same thing as telling him to give away the hope he has built up in his community.

The Alabama clergymen ask the police to "remain calm and continue to protect our city from violence." However, in Dr. King's article he says " there have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than any city in this nation." The clergymen men also request that "Negro community to withdraw support from theses demonstrations, and to unite locally in working peacefully for a better Birmingham." This is directly disputed when Dr. King states, "...Negro leaders sought to negotiate with the city fathers. However, the political leaders consistently refused to engage in good faith negotiation."

Dr. King's actions were completely necessary in the struggle for equality among African Americans. Negotiations were attempted but refused, hence producing no results. To call his demonstrations extreme is something expected from someone who hasn't experienced the oppression and brutality that Negroes had to go through. That is why I fully support his actions and admire him for having the courage to stand up for justice.