Question

Delineate, or identify and briefly explain, Dr. King's use of concession in paragraphs 5, 10, and 11.
in letter from Birmingham jail and be overall

Do you think those concessions are effective? Why, or why not?

Answer 1

Here’s a concise delineation of King’s use of concession in those three paragraphs and an overall evaluation of how well it works.

Paragraph 5
- What he concedes: He acknowledges the factual claim that he is “in Birmingham” (and that some call him an “outsider” or criticize his presence there).
- How he uses it: He accepts the literal point but immediately reframes it: he explains why being there is necessary (“injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”) and links his presence to the moral obligation of interconnection.
- Purpose: Conceding the factual charge removes a simple objection and allows him to elevate the moral stakes.

Paragraph 10
- What he concedes: He admits that nonviolent direct action does create “tension” and that it appears to break normal order (and that the clergy value order and “timeliness”).
- How he uses it: He openly accepts that the actions precipitate crisis, but he argues that such tension is deliberate and constructive — a means to force negotiation and to expose injustice that would otherwise be ignored.
- Purpose: By conceding the unwanted consequence (tension) he reframes it as a necessary, morally justified tactic rather than a reckless disturbance.

Paragraph 11
- What he concedes: He accepts the label some have given him — “extremist” — and admits the charge in its neutral sense.
- How he uses it: He then redefines “extremist” positively by aligning himself with Jesus, Amos, Abraham Lincoln and others, asking rhetorically what kind of extremist one should be (for justice/love vs. for hate).
- Purpose: Concession here lets him turn an insult into a powerful moral claim and to claim the high ground.

Overall effectiveness
- Yes — the concessions are effective. Conceding small or factual points:
- builds ethos (he appears fair, reasonable, and attentive to critics),
- disarms opponents by removing easy objections,
- anticipates and neutralizes counterarguments,
- creates logical openings to reframe the issue and strengthen his moral/logical case.
- Limitation: Concessions work especially well on moderate or undecided readers (the clergy he addresses). They are less likely to persuade entrenched segregationists whose objections are ideological rather than merely factual.

Summary: King’s strategic concessions make his argument more persuasive by showing intellectual honesty, creating common ground, and then using that foundation to redefine and morally justify his actions.