Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail - Essay Example

It is needless to say that racial discrimination was one of the ancient practices those were predominant in the society across the world over the ages. Though Luther King Jr. wrote the letter in response to public statement by fellow clergymen, this, however, exposed the harsh reality and inhuman practices of the time, more particularly what happened in various parts of America namely Albany, Georgia, Alabama, and Birmingham etc. Martin Luther King Jr.’s long letter had very categorically pointed out and justified the importance of his presence in Birmingham.

He also made it clear that he, though often referred as “outsiders coming in”, came down to Birmingham with a great pledge of eradicating injustice, as the prophets of 18th century B.C. traveled far in order to propagate the truths of Bible. In the first place, while answering the statement of the clergymen, he defends his actions in Birmingham by saying that it was the city that experienced a thorough segregation and became famous for the wide brutality it saw. Negroes were subject to inhuman treatment in the court.

They were the vulnerable sections whose houses and churches were destroyed by bombs. It was but obvious that racial injustice engulfed these people most. These were the brutal facts, most savage of its kind. Being at this crucial juncture and being exposed to the most barbaric practices of the time. Negro leaders tried to negotiate with the city fathers but these fathers refused to negotiate. These people had an opportunity to talk to the leaders of Birmingham Economic Community, promises were made, but which however resulted in the end in broken promise.

Luther Jr.’s chief object was to fight for those people which in his own word “I am in Birmingham because injustice is here” (King). In his long letter King Jr. raised some questions about the timing and prudence of his action and he