# data[].attributes.body
Eight clergymen expressed their understanding that convictions in racial matters should be pursued in courts, not on the streets. This group urged that these legal matters be restricted to meetings and conversations, and disapproved of protests. They believed that these types of "demonstrations" were "unwise and untimely" and incited hate and violence. The clergymen stated that everyone needed to be responsible and work together to find a logical solution to the problems being faced. They commended the community for how calmly they were handling the demonstrations and urged the Negro community to not support these demonstrations, but to work peacefully for a better Birmingham.

# data[].attributes.body
Speaker: Eight white clergymen, religious leaders

Occasion: Civil Rights movement in 1963, after clergymen learned of MLK's plans to stage mass protests in Birmingham during Easter season

Audience: Martin Luther King, Birmingham's Negro and white communities

Purpose: want MLK to stop the protests, convince the black community that their protests are unwise and unnecessary, urge the community to instead unite to work together against the issues

Subject: disagreement with MLK's efforts to reform the city

# data[].attributes.body
Authoritarian:

"We the undersigned clergymen are among those who, in January, issued "An Appeal for Law and Order and Common Sense," in dealing with racial problems in Alabama."

Critical:

"Just as we formerly pointed out that "hatred and violence have no sanction in our religious and political traditions," we also point out that such actions as incite to hatred and violence, however technically peaceful those actions may be, have not contributed to the resolution of our local problems."

# data[].attributes.body
Ethos: They state in the beginning of the letter that they are the undersigned clergymen and have written previous articles regarding racial problems.

Pathos: They state later on that protests incite hate and violence and have not contributed to a resolution of Birmingham's racial problems.

Logos: They state early on that they believe everyone has opportunity for a realistic approach to racial issues, negotiation, in their opinion.

# data[].attributes.body
Pronouns to include the audience:

"In Birmingham, recent public events have given indication that we all have opportunity for a new constructive and realistic approach to racial problems."

Pronounce to exclude the audience:

"However, we are now confronted by a series of demonstrations by some of our Negro citizens, directed and led in part by outsiders."

Parallelism:

"We commend the community as a whole, and the local news media and law enforcement in particular, on the calm manner in which these demonstrations have been handled. We urge the public to continue to show restraint should the demonstrations continue, and the law enforcement official to remain calm and continue to protect our city from violence. 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... We appeal to both our white and Negro citizenry to observe the principles of law and order and common sense."

# data[].attributes.body
Allusion:

"Before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth we were here. Before the pen of Jefferson etched across the pages of history the majestic words of the Declaration of Independence, we were here. For more than two centuries our foreparents labored in this country without wages; they made cotton king; and they built the homes of their masters in the midst of brutal injustice and shameful humiliation—and yet out of a bottomless vitality they continued to thrive and develop. If the inexpressible cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail."

Repetition:

"I don't believe you would have so warmly commended the police force if you had seen its angry violent dogs literally biting six unarmed, nonviolent Negroes. I don't believe you would so quickly commend the policemen if you would observe their ugly and inhuman treatment of Negroes here in the city jail; if you would watch them push and curse old Negro women and young Negro; if you would see them slap and kick old Negro men and young Negro boys; if you will observe them, as they did on two occasions, refuse to give us food because we wanted to sing our grace together."

Pronouns to include the audience:

"I have no fear about the outcome of our struggle in Birmingham, even if our motives are presently misunderstood. We will reach the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over seasons for action; the nation, because the goal of America is freedom."

# data[].attributes.body
Patient:

"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."

Bold:

"I have no fear about the outcome of our struggle in Birmingham, even if our motives are presently misunderstood."

# data[].attributes.body
Speaker: Martin Luther King, black civil rights activist

Occasion: Civil Rights movement in 1963, response to clergymen's letter

Audience: clergymen, black community

Purpose:  want the clergymen to rethink their criticisms, want them to recognize the black community's hardships and achievements, convince them that their protests are not to incite hate or violence, but to fight for freedom

Subject: acknowledgment of the clergymen's criticisms & defense for his (MLK) protests

# data[].attributes.body
MLK responded to the clergymen stating that they had misunderstood his motives, and that the black community would win their freedom with or without the clergymen's support. He further disagreed with their commendation of the police force and even gave examples of how the police force had mistreated the black community. He stated the police system had tried to protect segregation, and made a comment about the morality of the situation. MLK then praised some important people of the black community that had publicly defended their rights. He later emphasized his faith and apologized if anything previously stated was incorrect or impatient.

# data[].attributes.body
Ethos: He establishes credibility right away by referencing the large amount of criticisms he receives and mentioning the workload his secretaries would have if he were to answer them all.

Pathos: He makes notice of the harsh police brutality that the black community faces. He also commends the courage of people that participate in protests.

Logos: He references the history of the black community, beginning with Pilgrim times and ending with slavery. He states that if they can beat slavery, they can also beat the oppression they are faced with now.