Letter From Birmingham Jail

Announcements:

4/27-5/1 Weekly Planner

In addition to reading today's post, please make sure you:

1. Read Letter from a Birmingham Jail and annotate. This is one of the foundational documents for the AP exam.
2. Complete the Khan Academy modules on Letter from a Birmingham Jail.

READING: 129-159 in Edwards

UNIT THREE Identification Terms 

Today's Essential Question: How did non-violent protests affect the civil rights movement?

Learning Standards:

PRD-1.A.2: The leadership and events associated with civil, women’s, and LGBTQ rights are evidence of how the equal protection clause can support and motivate social movements, as represented by:

• Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” and the civil rights movement of the 1960s 
• The National Organization for Women and the women’s rights movement 
• The pro-life (anti-abortion) movement

Letter from Birmingham Jail

One of the most notable documents of the 20th century is Dr. Martin Luther King's Letter from Birmingham Jail, a response to criticisms from local clergymen. 

• Read the initial letter (linked above) addressed to Dr. King. What is their concern/criticism? Do you think it is a valid criticism?

• Read Letter from Birmingham Jail.  Make a copy for yourself and annotate as you read. Select three quotes that you think are most significant and highlight them. Also, be prepared to discuss the questions listed below:

1. Briefly, what is the argument of the "Statement by Alabama Clergymen"?
2. What reasons does King provide for his decision to support direct action or demonstrations against segregation in Alabama?
3. What are justice and injustice according to King?
4. What kinds of law does King speak about in this letter, and what is their applicability in terms of political life?
5. What kind of moderation is King criticizing, and what kind of extremism is he praising?
6. According to King, what is the role of the church and organized religion in contemporary society?
7. What did King mean when he wrote, "But now I must affirm that it is just as wrong, or perhaps even more so, to use moral means to preserve immoral ends"?
8. Is King's argument sound? Explain your answer.