Quiz on Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'Letter from Birmingham Jail'

According to 'Letter from Birmingham Jail,' what is the reason Martin Luther King Jr. and his staff were in Birmingham?

• They were invited by local affiliates to help with the nonviolent campaign.

• They came to Birmingham to start a new chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

• They were passing through Birmingham on their way to another city.

• They were there to protest the imprisonment of local activists.

What does Martin Luther King Jr. consider to be the interrelatedness of all communities and states?

• An opportunity to spread nonviolent protest techniques.

• A reason why anyone who lives inside the United States cannot be considered an outsider in any American city.

• A challenge to the effectiveness of local governments.

• A way to promote economic ties between different regions.

According to the text, why was the decision made to start the direct-action program around Easter?

• Because it was the best time to bring pressure on merchants for the needed changes.

• To celebrate the Easter holiday with a public demonstration.

• Because it was the only time when people were available to participate.

• To coincide with the anniversary of a historical event.

What is the main reason the author gives for the necessity of creating tension?

• To disrupt the peace and cause chaos in the city.

• To force individuals to confront the issue of segregation and negotiate.

• To encourage violent protests against the oppressors.

• To gain media attention and publicity for their cause.

What does the author suggest is a misconception about nonviolent resistance?

• That it is a method intended to provoke violence.

• That it is ineffective and does not lead to any significant change.

• That it is a passive approach that does not involve any active struggle.

• That it is only used because other methods are not available.

According to the text, what has been the long-standing policy in the author's struggle for civil rights?

• To wait for the courts to make a decision before taking action.

• To engage in negotiation whenever possible.

• To only use direct action as a last resort.

• To prioritize violent methods over peaceful ones.

What does the author imply about the statement "justice too long delayed is justice denied"?

• It is a principle that justifies immediate violent action.

• It is a call to patiently wait for justice to occur naturally.

• It is a reason to reject any postponement of direct action.

• It is a legal argument used in court cases.

According to the text, what is the difference between just and unjust laws?

• Just laws are created by a majority and unjust laws by a minority

• Just laws align with moral law and unjust laws do not

• Unjust laws are legal and just laws are not

• Just laws benefit the rich and unjust laws benefit the poor

What does the author suggest is a moral responsibility regarding unjust laws?

• To obey them until they are changed

• To follow them without question

• To break them openly and lovingly

• To avoid any form of disobedience

What historical figure does the author mention to argue that everything legal is not necessarily just?

• Martin Luther King Jr.

• Adolf Hitler

• Martin Buber

• Thomas Aquinas