In April of 1963, while incarcerated in the Birmingham City Jail, Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote an influential letter defending his anti-segregation protests. The letter was sent in response to a statement released by eight clergymen from Alabama asking King and his followers to cease their public demonstrations. In an effort to gather support for his beliefs and quell the criticism, King explains his position thoroughly with a detailed and organized summary of his view.
             King begins his letter by rationalizing his belief that steps must be taken to stop to segregation which is extensive in the Southern United States. He mentions police brutality, unjust treatment in the judicial system, and unwillingness by the political leaders to negotiate with the African Americans. King plans to force the government to confront the issue by creating a crisis in Birmingham that can no longer be avoided. This decision, which was deemed irresponsible by the Alabama clergymen, was the most effective way to approach the issue while causing the minimum amount of additional violence and chaos.
             King then began to outline his plan for the most effective and sensible approach to challenge the system that was unjust to African Americans. His nonviolent protests were criticized by religious leaders for their tendency to bring about violence in retaliation. King compares this argument to condemning Jesus for provoking his own crucifixion. The protestors cannot control how their demonstrations are received, but can only do what is right and accept the consequences. King called upon the religious leaders to support him and his followers in the search for equality. He asks them to avoid turning their back to such obvious injustices that the African American community receive.
             King's letter is primarily a discussion of morality. To make sure that his writings are ones of credibility, King uses a source that is the guideline for morality, th...