Name_________________________________________________________________________ Handout using brief excerpts from the letters.

Excerpts from A Group of Clergymens Letter to Martin Luther King Jr. We clergymen are among those who, in January, issued an Appeal for Law and Order and Common Sense, in dealing with racial problems in Alabama. We expressed understanding that honest convictions in racial matters could properly be pursued in the courts, but urged that decisions of those courts should in the meantime be peacefully obeyed. We are now confronted by a series of demonstrations by some of our Negro citizens, directed and led in part by outsiders. We recognize the natural impatience of people who feel that their hopes are slow in being realized. But we are convinced that these demonstrations are unwise and untimely. We further strongly urge our own Negro community to withdraw support from these demonstrations, and to unite locally in working peacefully for a better Birmingham. When rights are consistently denied, a cause should be pressed in the courts and in negotiations among local leaders, and not in the streets. We appeal to both our white and Negro citizenry to observe the principles of law and order and common sense. Excerpts from the MLKs Letter from Birmingham Jail Direction: Highlight single words (at least 5) throughout the letter that you believe best summarizes what MLK is arguing for or against My Dear Fellow Clergymen: While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling my present activities "unwise and untimely." Seldom do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would have little time for anything other than such correspondence in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work. But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and that your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I want to try to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms. I am in Birmingham because injustice is here We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly, I have never yet engaged in a direct-action movement that was well timed, according to the timetable of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation. For years now I have heard the word Wait! It rings in the ear of every Negro with a piercing familiarity. This wait has almost always meant never. We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that justice too long delayed is justice denied. We have waited for more than three hundred and forty years for our constitutional and God-given rights. The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jetlike speed toward the goal of political independence, but we still creep at horse-and-buggy pace toward the gaining of a cup of coffee at a lunch counter.

 Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself, and that is what has happened to the American Negro. Something within has reminded him of his birthright of freedom, and something without has reminded him that it can be gained. 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. Yours for the cause of Peace and Brotherhood, Martin Luther King Jr. Out of the words that are highlighted, choose 3 that best describe MLKs message in his letter. Place in them in order of effectiveness: Number 1 would be the word that BEST describes his message). 1)__________________ What was MLK trying to argue by using this word? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 2)__________________ What was MLK trying to argue by using this word? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 3)__________________ What was MLK trying to argue by using this word? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ WHOLE GROUP ACTIVITY: After each group write their THREE words on the board, pick 10 words from the whole class: 6)__________________________________ 1)__________________________________ 7)__________________________________ 2)__________________________________ 8)__________________________________ 3)__________________________________ 9)__________________________________ 4)__________________________________ 10)_________________________________ 5)__________________________________
Assessment: Write a short letter to the head of the Birmingham Prison arguing why Martin Luther King should be released from jail. Use 5-10 words from the group list above in your letter. Make sure you use the words properly! Use both MLKs and the Clergymens Letter as evidence to back up your argument.