Letter from the Birmingham Jail

According to King, the purpose of direct nonviolent action is to

• End the bombings of homes and churches.

• Halt the activities of both merchants and consumers.

• Create tension so that people must confront an issue.

• Draw the sympathy of the religious community and moderate whites.

King states that there are two types of laws: Just and unjust.  Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a “just” law?

• man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God

• a majority compels a minority to follow and that is willing to follow itself.

• uplifts human personality.

• is out of harmony with the moral law.

King expresses his “grave disappointment” with which of the following groups?

• liberals

• white moderates

• conservatives

• teachers

Dr. King sought to respond to the criticism he received from people that he considered to be colleagues by methodically addressing each of their claims.

• It's more important to have a timely response to criticism & prejudice than to maintain moral integrity.

• The presence of injustice necessitates a nonviolent response to repair the harms of prejudice & discrimination

• Peace will only be achieved after white supremacists are transformed by the white moderate.

• The church’s role in the civil rights movement continues to create tension & alienate followers

In his opening statement, King says he rarely answers criticisms, but he replies to this because

• Their actions were unwise and untimely.

• He believes them to be sincere and good.

• Their letter shows them to be extremist.

• He wants his letter to bring about change.

King’s definition of civil disobedience includes

• breaking unjust laws

• accepting the penalty

• resisting violently

• both A and B

   

Why does Dr. King say that he is answering the clergymen?

• They have acted in an unwise way.

• King uses letter-writing to bring about change.

• Their letter shows them to be extremists.

• He believes them to be sincere and good.

According to King, the purpose of direct nonviolent action is to...

• end the bombings of homes and churches.

• create tension so that people have to confront an issue.

• halt the activities of both merchants and consumers.

• draw the sympathy of the religious community and moderate whites.

What does MLK think about white moderates?

• He thinks they are the most important players in the success of the civil rights movement.

• He thinks their religion is the best religion that everyone should follow.

• He thinks they try even harder than the black community in the civil rights movement.

• He thinks they end up doing more harm than good.

All of the following are criticisms King makes about the church except:

• It is no longer as committed to justice as it used to be.

• It tries to distance itself from political issues.

• It encourages its followers to disobey the law.

• It has not strongly supported the civil rights movement.