Title: Building Trust and Respect through Common Ground: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Strategies in the "Letter from Birmingham Jail"
Introduction:
In the "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. responds to the criticism and attack made by a group of white clergymen who labeled him an outside agitator for his involvement in civil rights demonstrations. Dr. King employs various strategies to establish a sense of trust and respect between himself and the clergymen, primarily through the identification of common ground and shared values. By doing so, he aims to bridge the divide and bring about a deeper understanding of the civil rights movement.
Identifying Shared Beliefs and Values:
One of Dr. King's core strategies is to emphasize the shared beliefs and values that both he and the clergymen hold, even though they are on opposite ends of the racial divide. By appealing to the common ground, Dr. King seeks to break down the stereotype of being an outsider and establish himself as part of the collective struggle for justice. He writes, "I came because injustice is here...just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel...so too am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home." Here, Dr. King highlights the commonality in their religious beliefs, offering a foundation from which to foster trust and respect.
Appealing to Shared Moral Principles:
Dr. King effectively engages in Rogerian Argument by appealing to the moral principles that the clergymen profess to uphold. By demonstrating that his cause aligns with their values, he appeals to their sense of justice and fairness. In response to their accusation of breaking the law, Dr. King asserts, "One may well ask: 'How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?' The answer lies in the fact that there are just and unjust laws." Here, he acknowledges the shared belief in the importance of obeying the law but highlights the necessity of challenging unjust laws, thereby framing the civil rights demonstrations as a moral duty.
Highlighting the Struggles of African Americans:
To establish further common ground, Dr. King focuses on the experiences and struggles of African Americans, shedding light on the injustices they face daily. By doing so, he intends to foster empathy and understanding among the clergymen. He states, "I have traveled the length and breadth of Alabama, Mississippi, and all the other southern states. On sweltering summer days and crisp autumn mornings, I have looked at the South's beautiful churches with their lofty spires, and I have beheld the impressive outlines of her massive religious education buildings." Through vivid descriptions, he brings the clergymen into the world of African Americans, highlighting their shared humanity and collective suffering.
Acknowledging Shared Concerns:
In an attempt to address the clergymen's concern over the impact of civil rights demonstrations on the local community, Dr. King takes the initiative to acknowledge their worries and offers an alternative perspective. He writes, "You deplore the demonstrations taking place...but your statement...fails to express a similar concern for the conditions that brought about the demonstrations." Dr. King recognizes the shared concern for peace and stability within the community, while gently urging the clergymen to extend their empathy towards the underlying causes of the demonstrations.
Conclusion:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" illustrates his skillful use of strategies to foster trust and respect between himself and the white clergymen who criticized him. By identifying common ground, appealing to shared values, highlighting the struggles of African Americans, and acknowledging shared concerns, Dr. King effectively creates a foundation for dialogue and understanding. Through these strategies, he transcends the initial attack and cultivates a space for meaningful conversations about the civil rights movement.
write an essay that explains the strategies Dr. King uses to try to build a sense of trust and respect between himself and the clergymen (He tries to establish common ground in the Rogerian Argument style). Of course, you may want to use examples of his common ground strategies found in other parts of the letter, not just the first two pages. Also, you may include parts of the clergymen's letter as well when you refer to their letter.
Strategy means an approach, method, or action. His strategy is seen in the words that he used. What words did he use? How did he try to establish common ground by identifying points of agreement between the audience and himself? What did he think they could agree on?
Common ground means that we (the writer and his/her audience) have something in common or we have something that we can agree on. Think about this: Why would he want to establish common ground with the white clergymen who attacked him in their letter to which he is responding? They criticized the civil rights demonstrations and called King an outside agitator. Their letter was published in the local newspaper. When someone showed it to Dr. King, he decided to write a response. The object of a Rogerian-style argument is to convince the opposing audience that your position and point of view are right. What strategies does King use to try to get these white clergymen to understand his point of view?
Did King identify the ideas and beliefs that he and the clergymen share or have in common? How is he responding to their attack? Your answers should help you identify what strategies he uses.
You are to approach this assignment in your own way as long as your central point is clearly defined and supported.
Since this is a rhetorical composition, we must look at his words to identify his strategies. The paper must include quotes from the letter as examples of the strategies that you notice. 50 pts. The primary sources are the two letters: the Statement by Alabama Clergymen and the Letter from Birmingham Jail. You may use other sources to support your points, but that is not necessary. All resources must be documented properly.
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