Martin Luther King Jr. and "Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Reese Ayscue https://padlet.com/rcayscue/ji9q0fgtpr5rq93t Overview of his life and times en-us 2020-09-08 22:18:06 UTC 2020-09-09 02:24:10 UTC hello@padlet.com Martin Luther King Jr. Biography rcayscue https://padlet.com/rcayscue/ji9q0fgtpr5rq93t/wish/729348595 Martin Luther King Jr. was a scholar and minister who led the civil rights movement.

  • Born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, GA.
  • King had an older sister, Willie Christine, and a younger brother, Alfred Daniel Williams King.
  • King grew up in a religious loving household and his father tried to hide racism from him as much as possible. 
  • King attended Booker T. Washington High School skipping 9th and 11th entering college at age 15. Morehouse College in Atlanta 1944.
  • in his junior year, King took a Bible class. renewing his faith and began a career in the ministry.
  • In 1948, King earned a sociology degree from Morehouse College.
  • On the night that Rosa Parks was arrested King and other local civil rights leaders to plan a Montgomery Bus Boycott. King was elected to lead the boycott.
  • Martin married Coretta Scott King in 1953.
  • Kings first speech went along the lines of  "We have no alternative but to protest. For many years we have shown an amazing patience. We have sometimes given our white brothers the feeling that we liked the way we were being treated. But we come here tonight to be saved from that patience that makes us patient with anything less than freedom and justice."
  • In April 1960, the SCLC held a conference at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina with local sit-in leaders. King was known for nonviolent protest.
  • By 1960, King was gaining national exposure. He returned to Atlanta to become co-pastor with his father at Ebenezer Baptist Church but also continued his civil rights efforts. 
  • On October 19, 1960, King and 75 students entered a local department store and requested lunch-counter service but were denied. When they refused to leave the counter area, King and 36 others were arrested. 
  • While in Jail protest went on and this is when King wrote "Letter from Birmingham Jail".
  • On August 28, 1963, the historic March on Washington Is when king had his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. 
  • This also led to King receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
  • Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, Memphis, TN by James Earl Ray. 


]]> 2020-09-08 22:38:39 UTC https://padlet.com/rcayscue/ji9q0fgtpr5rq93t/wish/729348595 Historical Background rcayscue https://padlet.com/rcayscue/ji9q0fgtpr5rq93t/wish/729415304 The 1960's was a time of Justice during and around this time tons of protests against segregation as well as protest for Justice upon black people in America. Led by many activists like Martin Luther King Jr himself.

  • President Kennedy assassinated in Dallas, Texas; Vice President Lyndon Johnson becomes President.
  • Civil rights protests continue throughout the South, during which nonviolent activists are frequently met with beatings and arrests
  • On April 16, 1963 Martin Luther King Jr made "Letter from Birmingham Jail"
  • 200,000 people march on Washington in support of civil rights; Dr. Martin Luther King delivers his "I Have a Dream" speech
  • U.S., Soviet Union and Britain sign a nuclear test ban treaty
  • United States President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law.
  • The Voting Rights Act is signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson.
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. leads a peaceful civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery in Alabama.
  • The Civil Rights Act of 1968 is signed into law by President Johnson.


]]> 2020-09-08 23:27:48 UTC https://padlet.com/rcayscue/ji9q0fgtpr5rq93t/wish/729415304 Abstract rcayscue https://padlet.com/rcayscue/ji9q0fgtpr5rq93t/wish/729442390 In a "Letter from Birmingham Jail" Martin Luther King Jr talks about social injustice of black people in southern parts of America. King states at the beginning "injustice anywhere is a threat to Justice everywhere." King continuously talks about the unfortunateness the white power has brought to the black Community. They have no alternative but to protest, but king states that there will only be nonviolent protest. He goes over the four basic steps of a nonviolent campaign. King then talks more in depth about how brutal and ugly the segregation is in Birmingham. Promises that were made to the black Community were broken when merchants never took down humiliating racial signs. The marching in Birmingham was postponed till after the election of the new mayor out of respect. King through out the letter expressed his love and faith for the church and many times threw in references of bible stories that relate to the times. Tells the white people to look at it from a black persons perspective. In hopes of his visit to Birmingham the religious leaders would be on his side but once again he was disappointed. King explains many times that the sit ins and marches will always be nonviolent but says they are being called extremists. Watching peaceful nonviolent protesters get beat up and arrested all because they want change. The entire letter is very calm and polite, with nothing but respect in hopes social equality and brotherhood for the black community. ]]> 2020-09-08 23:47:04 UTC https://padlet.com/rcayscue/ji9q0fgtpr5rq93t/wish/729442390 Insights- Social Inequality on the Black Community rcayscue https://padlet.com/rcayscue/ji9q0fgtpr5rq93t/wish/729675011 The letter written by Martin Luther King Jr was very powerful and meaningful. Everything said in the letter is agreeable as well. One of the main reasons for me choosing this reading is because I find myself listening to his speeches all the time. I can't but be fascinated by his words and message as they keep me going throughout the day. His speeches and lessons motivate me to be a better person and always do my best. So seeing his name in the selection of readings to choose from I instantly picked him. I agree with him 100% on everything he has to say and after reading the letter I actually listened to him give the speech. I think everyone should be treated equally no matter the color of their skin. The things King has said will stay with me forever.
Questions To Consider
1. According to King's letter the four basic steps for a nonviolent campaign are as followed. Collection of the facts to determine whether injustice exists; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action.
2. "Letter From Birmingham Jail," was a response to eight white Alabama clergymen who criticized King and worried the civil rights campaign would cause violence.
3. My favorite quote from the reading was "Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection." For many reasons simply because a gentle acceptance no matter the occasion will always be better than outright rejection.
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