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I.

Four Reasons Rieder Gives for Reading MLKs Letter from


Birmingham Jail Today

Historical
Philosophical/Moral
Literary/Rhetorical
Biographical

II. An Outline of the Letter from Birmingham Jail

A. Opening: A Patient and Reasonable Response

B. MLK the Statesman

1. Why he was in Birmingham

a. He was invited
b. Injustice was present

2. The Nature of a Nonviolent Campaign

a. Four Steps

(1) Gathering facts
(2) Negotiation
(3) Self-purification
(4) Direct action

b. Objections by Clergymen

3. The Distinction between Just and Unjust Laws

C. MLK the Prophet

1. Two Confessions

a. Disappointment with White Moderates

(1) Indirect violence
(2) Time and freedom
(3) Accusation of extremism

b. Disappointment with the White Church and Its Leadership

2. The Bottomless Vitality of Black Self-Sufficiency as the Basis for
Self-Emancipation

3. A Final Objection: The Police Maintain Order and Prevent
Violence

D. Closing: A Plea for Understanding

III. Five Examples of Moral Arguments made by MLK in the Letter from
Birmingham Jail

1. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
2. Injustice exists in Birmingham, Alabama.
3. Therefore, justice is threatened throughout the United States.
4. All persons have a right to challenge threats to justice in the United States.
5. Therefore, MLK has a right to challenge the injustice in Birmingham.

1. A just law is one that uplifts human personality.
2. But segregation laws damage human personality.
3. Therefore, segregation laws are unjust.
4. Unjust laws may be challenged and broken.
5. Therefore, segregation laws may be challenged and broken.

1. The Birmingham desegregation campaign uses forms of direct action to
create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has
constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue.
2. Creative tension and crisis are morally justifiable.
3. Therefore, the Birmingham desegregation campaign is morally justifiable.

1. Moderate critics of the Birmingham desegregation campaign urge delay and
waiting for the right time.
2. But justice delayed is justice denied.
3. Therefore, moderate critics who urge that the Birmingham campaign delay by
waiting for the right time to engage in protest against injustice are, in effect,
denying the possibility of social justice.

1. Before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth, we were here.
2. Before the pen of Jefferson etched the majestic words of the Declaration of
Independence across the pages of history, we were here.
3. Therefore, the bottomless vitality of the black struggle for freedom has
existed from the very beginning of the United States.
4. The goal of the United States is freedom.
5. Therefore, we will reach the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over the
nation.

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