Rhetoric Letter from Birmingham Jail

Why was King in Birmingham?

• he was invited to help fight the segregation there

• he lived there

• he gave a speech there but drove over the speed limit on his way out of town

• he picked Birmingham as the next place to hold a non-violent protest

King challenges other ministers to see the struggle for equality as...

• a moral concern.

• a political concern.

• a personal concern.

• not their concern.

What is the basis for King’s argument against the idea that he is an outsider who came to Birmingham?

• He was born in Birmingham.

• He has many relatives in Birmingham.

• He has organizational ties in Birmingham.

• He went to college in Birmingham.

Why does King compare himself to early Christian prophets?

• Because they died fighting for their cause?

• Because they believed in civil disobedience.

• Because they did not submit to unjust laws.

• Because they did not negotiate with enemies.

What does King mean when he says in lines 37-38, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”?

• All citizens are equally threatened by justice.

• All laws are unfair and should be ignored.

• All laws are unfair and should be ignored.

• Everyone is affected when one person is hurt.

   

What statement best describes Dr. King’s purpose in writing the letter?

• Dr. King hoped to explain why the discrimination of African Americans is immoral

• Dr. King criticized white Americans who were supportive of his cause but were fearful of the Klan’s terrorism

• Dr. King attempts to encourage all Americans to end racism by joining the cause

• Dr. King responded to the criticism he received from people by addressing each of their claims.

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.

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

• liberals

• white moderates

• conservatives

• teachers