"Letter from Birmingham Jail" Quiz
- Just Law: A man-made code that squares with moral law (the law of God)
- Unjust Law: A code that bis out of harmony with the moral law or a law that has no law at all; a law
in which the majority inflicts on a mnority that is not binding on itself
*MLK defends his actions by saying that segregation is sinful and damages the soul into thinking one
is superior or inferior - ✔✔How does King differentiate between just and unjust laws? How does he
defend his actions?
"If the inexpressible cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail.
We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are
embodied in our echoing demands." - ✔✔What is MLK's call to action?
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" - ✔✔How does MLK respond to being called
an "outsider"
"Since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and your criticisms are sincerely set forth"; he is
trying to show that he is peaceful and shows respect (their criticisms also motivates him and keeps
them busy) - ✔✔What is King's compliment to his critics? What does he gain?
100%
"White moderates" are more devoted to "order" than to justice, they prefer a negative peace with the
absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice, they can't agree with methods
of direct action, and they set another man's timetable for freedom, they also express
lukewarm/low-enthusiastic acceptance - ✔✔According to King, why are the "white moderates" a
bigger obstacle than the KKK?
1.) MLK was an "outsider"; 2.) Should negotiate for change rather than demonstrate; 3.) Actions were
"untimely"; 4.) Encouraging people to break the law - ✔✔What are the 4 accusations made against
MLK's campaign by the clergymen?
a force of complacency and a force of bitterness and hatred (which advocates violence) - ✔✔What
are the "two opposing forces" that King stands in the middle of?
a temporary prohibition of an activity - ✔✔What is a "moratorium" ?
about how no matter how he and his people display nonviolent direction, the clergy men will continue
to call them extremists and drain their self-respect; also disappointed with white men as they
advocate "order" over justice and moderates don't realize that they are the ones that are causing the
negative tension - ✔✔What does King confess to be "rather disappointed" about. What examples
does he give?
, agreed that social injustices existed but argued that the battle against racial segregation should be
fought solely in the courts, not the streets - ✔✔What were the opinions of the 8 clergymen regarding
dealing with the social injustices?
American civil rights activist who gained national renown at a key juncture in the civil rights movement
in 1962, when he became the first African American student at the University of Mississippi -
✔✔Who was James Meredith?
April 16, 1963; Martin Luther King, Jr. - ✔✔When was the 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' written? By
whom?
as extremists - ✔✔How did the clergymen describe MLK and his supporters?
Atlanta, GA - ✔✔Where is MLK from?
aware - ✔✔What does "cognizant" mean?
Birmingham, AL jail - ✔✔Where is the main setting taking place?
100%
Birmingham, Alabama; this is mainly due to the ugly brutality of the police, unjust treatments in courts,
bombings of black homes and churches - ✔✔What was probably the most segregated city in the
U.S. back in this time?
Both MLK and Thoreau wrote their letters in jail; King supports the idea of civil disobedience because
he is saying that at no matter the costs sometimes defying law is because one's rights are violated in
accordance with the Constitution and becoming arrested for injustice expresses the highest respect
for the law - ✔✔What are the similarities to Thoreau? How does King support the idea of civil
disobedience?
both were compelled to carry out the gospel of freedom beyond their villages or hometowns -
✔✔How does MLK relate himself to Paul the Apostle?
Brown v. Board of Education was a landmark United States Supreme Court case in which the Court
declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be
unconstitutional - ✔✔What was the 1954 Supreme Court Case?
create tension so that people have to confront an issue - ✔✔According to King, the purpose of direct
nonviolent action is to...
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