But we are convinced that these demonstrations are unwise and untimely. My friends, I must say to you that we have not made a single gain in civil rights without determined legal and nonviolent pressure. [Why King is making an exception here, and how he hopes to answer it]. Answers: 1 Show answers Another question on English. 100. We must come to see that, as the federal courts have consistently affirmed, it is wrong to urge an individual to cease his efforts to gain his basic constitutional rights because the quest may precipitate violence. LSU Press, 2001), some of these clergy labored for racial justice and were stung by King’s public criticism, never able to live it down as they were immortalized as literally a “textbook example” of those on the wrong side of history. I have hope that Mr. Boutwell will be reasonable enough to see the futility of massive resistance to desegregation. ... At first, tension seems to hold a negative connotation, but as King refines its meaning, the tone surrounding tension becomes clearly positive. But more basically, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Martin Luther King Jr. in “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and the prisoners in “The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses” both followed a higher moral law combined with the universal values of unity, equality, and justice to fight for change in the midst of unjust tradition. In spite of my shattered dreams, I came to Birmingham with the hope that the white religious leadership of this community would see the justice of our cause and, with deep moral concern, would serve as the channel through which our just grievances could reach the power structure. But despite these notable exceptions, I must honestly reiterate that I have been disappointed with the church. As in so many past experiences, our hopes had been blasted, and the shadow of deep disappointment settled upon us. When King read the letter from a small prison cell at the Birmingham Jail, he began composing notes of a response in the margins of the newspaper. But they have acted in the faith that right defeated is stronger than evil triumphant. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. I have been so greatly disappointed with the white church and its leadership. Martin Luther King Jar’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” is a compelling letter that states his points of view and beliefs of segregation and racial injustice while persuading important clergymen of defending “direct action” against segregation for all African Americans. It was practiced superbly by the early Christians, who were willing to face hungry lions and the excruciating pain of chopping blocks rather than submit to certain unjust laws of the Roman Empire. Yes, these questions are still in my mind. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. This is certainly a legitimate concern. Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. Instead, some have been outright opponents, refusing to understand the freedom movement and misrepresenting its leaders; all too many others have been more cautious than courageous and have remained silent behind the anesthetizing security of stained glass windows. We recognize the natural impatience of people who feel that their hopes are slow in being realized. But your statement, I am sorry to say, fails to express a similar concern for the conditions that brought about the demonstrations. [1. I cannot join you in your praise of the Birmingham police department. Like many others, we waited to see Mr. Connor defeated, and to this end we endured postponement after postponement. I doubt that you would have so warmly commended the police force if you had seen its dogs sinking their teeth into unarmed, nonviolent Negroes. Its ugly record of brutality is widely known. Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear drenched communities, and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.