MLK QUESTIONS

1. Martin Luther King Jr. was addressing eight Alabama clergymen who had
published a statement condemning his nonviolent demonstrations in Birmingham.
These clergymen had published a statement condemning his actions as "unwise
and untimely” they were from various denominations and were part of the
religious leadership in Birmingham, Alabama. King's letter serves as a response to
their call for him to cease his activities and wait for a more appropriate time to
seek equality. They were considered moderate religious leaders, and they had
asked King to delay his civil rights demonstrations on April 12th. That same day,
he was arrested and put in jail. In response, King wrote his famous "Letter from
Birmingham Jail." In the letter, he began by acknowledging the length of the
letter, noting that it would have been much shorter if he had been writing from a
comfortable desk, rather than a narrow jail cell. King then responded to the
criticism of the campaign made by the eight clergymen, defending his strategy
and asserting the importance of direct action. He also argued that the African-
American community had waited long enough and should no longer be expected
to wait.

2. According to King, a just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law
or the law of God while an unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the
moral law, he also puts the difference in terms of St Thomas Aquinas that an
unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law or any
law that degrades human personality while any law that uplifts human personality
is just. King further explains that an unjust law is a code that a numerical or
power majority group compels a minority group to obey but does not make
binding on itself, while a just law is a code that a majority compels a minority to
follow and that it is willing to follow itself. A law is unjust if it is inflicted on a
minority that, as a result of being denied the right to vote, had no part in enacting
or devising the law.

3. Martin Luther King Jr. expresses impatience and frustration regarding waiting for
segregation to end in his writings and speeches. He believes that the African
American community has already waited for far too long, over 340 years, for their
constitutional and God-given rights to be recognized and upheld. He
acknowledges that he has become impatient due to the ongoing isolation and
injustice faced by people of color. King cites a distinguished jurist who stated that
justice delayed for too long is essentially justice denied. He firmly believes that
waiting has almost always led to inaction, and he emphasizes the urgency of
addressing segregation immediately. King argues that segregation is not just
unjust, but it also distorts the soul, damages the personality of individuals, and has
a detrimental impact on the broader society. Therefore, he is resolute in his stance
against waiting and advocates for swift action to end segregation and prejudice.
 4. Vocabularies
Segregation: The enforced separation of different racial or ethnic groups in a community, often
involving the division of facilities, services, and opportunities based on race.
Extremist-is a person who holds beliefs or opinions that are far beyond what most people
consider reasonable.
Complacency- refers to a state of satisfaction or contentment, often accompanied by a lack of
awareness or concern about potential dangers, difficulties, or shortcomings
Impatience: A state of restlessness or frustration when one is unwilling to wait for something or
someone, often due to a desire for immediate action or change.
Jurist: A legal expert, especially one who is knowledgeable in matters of law and justice and is
involved in the interpretation and application of laws.
Injustice: The violation of rights or the unfair treatment of individuals or groups, often involving
the denial of basic human rights or equality under the law.

6. Both King and Gandhi emphasized the importance of active and responsible citizenship
in the struggle for justice and equality. They advocated for nonviolent civil disobedience
and peaceful protest as powerful tools for social change. Their key principles included:
Nonviolence: Both leaders believed in the power of nonviolent resistance as a means to effect
change. They encouraged citizens to engage in peaceful protests and civil disobedience rather
than resorting to violence.
Civil Disobedience: King and Gandhi urged citizens to disobey unjust laws and policies
peacefully and openly, accepting the legal consequences of their actions to draw attention to the
injustice.
Equality: They emphasized the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and equality,
regardless of their race, caste, or background.
Inclusivity: King and Gandhi stressed the need for inclusivity and unity among citizens of
different backgrounds and beliefs to achieve common goals.
Responsibility: Citizens were seen as responsible for actively participating in the struggle for
justice and equality, as well as for holding their governments and institutions accountable for
their actions and policies.