On "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King, Jr.

 After reading King's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," I was able to gain a deeper perspective on the basic principles of civil disobedience and the founding ideas of the nonviolence movement led by Martin Luther King, Jr. His words of a just law versus an unjust law clearly supports the invalidity of the segregation laws in Alabama. He 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." King gives a different example that pertains more to the state of the African Americans in the 1960s and writes that "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." Because African Americans were for the most part prevented from registering to vote, they had no way to partake in devising such a law. He argues the irrationality of the segregation law in a legal standpoint by stating that the people who are the most affected by it had no say in the "democratic" process. King further supports his argument using the words of St. Augustine that "an unjust law is no law at all" and the theory of the natural law proposed by St. Thomas Aquinas, which is of the moral standpoint. 

 Throughout the letter, King's persona is shown to be gracious yet strong and understanding yet indignant. He writes that "I had hoped that the white moderate would see this need. Perhaps I was too optimistic; perhaps I expected too much." King sees the urgency of the equality of rights for colored people and how the exhausting wait of 340 years for their rights has left the people at a stage of internal degradation. He staunchly states "I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice..." King laments over the fact that even among those who believe in equality and integration, many are refusing to step out of the crowd and stand up for the rights of all due to the perseverance of peace and avoidance of violence. However King does not convey contempt or hatred towards any group of people but towards the institutions of racism, segregation, and inequality. 

He shows grace even towards the white church that has failed to assist and support the rights of the colored people. He writes "I came to Birmingham with the hope that the white religious leadership of this community would see the justice of our cause and, with deep moral concern, would serve as the channel through which our just grievances could reach the power structure." However, even after seeing otherwise, King testifies "In deep disappointment I have wept over the laxity of the church. But be assured that my tears have been tears of love. There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love. Yes, I love the church." 

Similar to Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, the "Letter" contains religious diction and biblical references that is a testament to his background as a reverend. He writes about the struggle of early Christians and their persecution for their beliefs in Jesus Christ who was an "extremist for love". King addresses civil disobedience that was practiced by Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They refused to obey the laws of Nebuchadnezzar due to a higher moral law they desired to obey, which was of the God of the Israelites in the Old Testament of the Bible.