Letter from Birmingham Jail

BELLWORK

A hunter looked for his gun. He aimed it carefully and fired. A few seconds later, he felt remorseful of what he has done. Minutes later, he was dead. What do you think happened?

1. How does Dr. King respond to the idea that he is an outsider?

• He argues that he cannot be an outsider in Birmingham because he was born there.

• He suggests that an outsider's perspective is necessary.

• He claims that the clergymen are outsiders in Birmingham.

• He denies that he is an outsider in Birmingham or anywhere in the U.S

The timing of the protest continued to change because...

• they continued to negotiate with the leaders of the economic community.

• they did not want to interfere with the mayoral election.

• some people wanted it to coincide with Christmas, not Easter.

• their self-purification took longer than expected as more people got involved.

King claims that direct action must be used because…

• powerful groups are unlikely to change on their own.

• well-timed campaigns rarely just happen.

• the progress in the courts is too slow.

• the new Birmingham administration is supportive of their goals.

King argues that unjust laws…

• must be followed.

• celebrate the human spirit.

• should not be obeyed.

• promote sameness.

In his opening paragraph, King says that he rarely pauses to answer criticisms, but he is replying to the clergymen because

• he wants his letter to bring about change.

• he believes them to be sincere and good.

• their letter shows them to be extremists.

• their actions were unwise and untimely.

King states that "Wait" almost always means

• Soon

• An extended period of time

• Never

• Time to procrastinate or delay

King compares himself to early Christian prophets because they

• did not negotiate with enemies.

• did not submit to unjust laws.

• believed in civil disobedience.

• died fighting for their cause.

hat is the basis for King's argument against the idea that he is an outsider who came to Birmingham

• He went to college in Birmingham.

• He has many relatives in Birmingham.

• He was born in Birmingham.

• He has organizational ties in Birmingham.

Which of the follwing is NOT one of the four basic steps in any nonviolent campaign?

• having an ugly record of brutality widely known

• negotiation

• direct action

• collection of facts to determine whether injustices exist