Dr. Martin Luther King's Letter from Birmingham Jail is a classic document from the Civil Rights Movement and an enduring example of protest literature. Letter from Birmingham Jail remains influential because its focus on the need to question how we define and apply justice is relevant to understanding the past and our present society.
How do you convince someone to see things from your point of view? Have you ever sincerely believed in something and struggled to get others to agree with you? If you can’t convince someone to change their mind, what is your best hope? Is it worth having the conversation? What is Dr. King trying to convince his audience? Who is that audience? What strategies is he using?
Dr. King writes: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Do you believe he is right? Why or why not? Have you witnessed or heard about something unfair or unjust and felt that you should act? What motivated you or prevented you?
Are we all really connected? Do you feel part of a web of social connections in your life? What are the benefits to you? Do those connections automatically exclude others? If so, what are the implications of that regarding Dr. King’s message?
Dr. King writes: “One may well ask, ‘How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?’ The answer is found in the fact that there are two types of laws: there are just laws, and there are unjust laws.” What does he mean by this Have you ever been in a situation where you followed your conscience instead of a rule or law? What led you to that decision? Did you face any consequences? What about the opposite: a time when you followed the law but regretted not following your conscience?
What is justice? What are your obligations to others and what are their obligations to you?
When King speaks of his disappointment in the church, he says, “There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love.” Do you think this is true? That disappointment is in some ways a sign of love. Are there aspects of our culture or society that you love but that disappoint you?
In his criticism of moderate whites, Dr. King states, “Shallow understanding from people of goodwill is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.” What does this mean? Do you agree or disagree with what King is saying here? Can you give examples from your life or experiences where you were relieved to know where you stand, even if the reaction was negative?
Full text of Letter from Birmingham Jail
Call and Response: Justice (class activity)
Close Reading Practice (class activity)
Structured Reading/Feedback (class activity)
Think/Pair/Share: Arguing Your Case (class activity)