Assignment

In April 1963 Martin Luther King Jr., while sitting in an Alabama prison, wrote a general address to the Civil Rights community, "Letter from a Birmingham Jail." This letter both articulated his strategy and answered the challenges of his critics within the movement. I want you to read this document and then respond to the following questions.

1. In "Letter from Birmingham Jail," how does King explain the purpose and effectiveness of nonviolent direct action?

2. How does King respond to the charge that the movement is too "extreme?"

3. Why do you think King's approach, at least in terms of political rights, proved so effective? I want you to address these questions in a 1-2 page, double-spaced written response.