Letter from a Birmingham Jail: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

by Simon Starr

The Letter from Birmingham Jail, also known as the Letter from Birmingham City Jail and The Negro Is Your Brother, is an open letter written on April 16, 1963, by Martin Luther King Jr. The letter defends the strategy of nonviolent resistance to racism. It says that people have a moral responsibility to break unjust laws and to take direct action rather than waiting potentially forever for justice to come through the courts. Responding to being referred to as an "outsider," King writes, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Leadership, Social Justice, Audiobook, Politics, Essays

102 pages, Paperback

Published January 30, 2017

Reviews

[Linda Rosche · Rating 5 out of 5]

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day I decided to listen to the audio version of Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Obviously it’s not read by Dr. King, but the gentleman who gave voice to Dr. King’s words is so genuine that I could picture Dr. King in his jail cell as I listened. Although the letter was written in 1964, his words are completely relevant in our country today.”

[Obadiah Dalrymple · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick read, but what a wonderful insight into the thoughts of such an amazing man. It is filled with famous and powerful quotes such as "Justice too long delayed is justice denied" or "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Less famous, but equally powerful in my opinion is Dr. King's response to the question of why he was in Birmingham. He responds that he is there because injustice is there.

I read this book/letter because not only is it an easy "must read", but because it felt timely in 2020. I felt his passion in his plea for white Christians to support the cause of justice. I will note two distinctive characteristics of Dr. King's strategy that stood out to me and I think would be helpful in today's climate (besides non-violence, of course).
1) He fought against something very specific--racial segregation. As such there was a clear end game to his efforts. His goals were not vague. He was not outraged just to be part of cancel culture or rage culture. There was a clearly defined injustice - or as he called it, an "unjust law" - to fight against and correct. There is a great wisdom and practicality in his specificity.

2) He had a specific strategy which he said all protests should have: (1) info gathering, (2) negotiation (which was also the end goal), (3) self-reflection, (4) direct action. He says that the purpose of direct action was to force negotiations (paraphrase). This means a protest led by Dr. King would not be intended to go on forever. It would be designed to cause oppressors to go to the negotiation table and thereby evoke change - which again that change is specifically defined. There is wisdom and practicality in this approach.

He was not only brilliant, his words are laced with love throughout. In sacrifice and oppression, he offered grace and wisdom.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The introduction about King Leopold II was intriguing (don’t remember that in my history class) and of course Dr. King’s letter is fantastic. The only reason this gets 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the weird stuff by Wallace Wattles after the letter finished. Not only did it have nothing to do with MLK, his letter, or racial injustice but it also is a clear teaching of the prosperity gospel which is a false teaching and not apart of the scripture message. So ignore the end, read the intro and MLKs letter!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in 1963 whilst King was imprisoned in Birmingham Alabama, his 'letter' is addressed to 8 white clergymen who had criticised his campaign of peaceful protest against racism and segregation. Whilst calm, diplomatic and immensely polite on the surface, it's not hard to detect the contempt and anger King feels about the lack of meaningful support the Civil Rights campaign was receiving from the majority of white Church leaders.
The points he uses to justify the campaign, supported by a range of impressive philosophical arguments, are irrefutably powerful and stirring!
The other piece in this, admittedly, slim volume is 'The three dimensions of a complete life' which, though actually a church sermon delivered in Atlanta in 1963, is admirably argued, even to this atheist's ears. His reference to self proclaimed Christians who "have a high blood pressure of creeds and an anaemia of deeds" is a powerful one which continues to ring true to this day and could apply to a whole raft of the current Republican intake in Congress!
Equally eloquent and rigorous, the two brief pieces in this volume are essential reading.

[Joshua Pearsall · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a shame he was a heretic, for he spoke well and did much good. Appealing to both Aquinas & Augustine he says, “...’An unjust law is no law at at all.’... A just law is a man made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law.” Appealing to several examples, such as the legal actions of Hitler and how it was illegal to help the Jews.
Despite his great errors, his damnable errors, he even had such wisdom as, ‘A just law is a man made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law.”

[Jay DeMoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

glad I read this in it’s entirety after just hearing bits and pieces for years. Only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 where the pieces after Dr. King's letter that had NOTHING to do with him or his message.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never read this letter in its entirety until this week and I’m heartbroken to see how much of it still is applicable today. I’d like to read this yearly (maybe around his federal holiday) as a reminder of where we were, how much still needs to change, and to encourage myself to be a change maker instead of a disgusted watcher of history.

Also, there are free versions of this letter online (make sure to find a full version - a few I looked at had been edited) and also, an audiobook that is under one hour.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. King’s articulate letter cuts to the heart of the issue of desegregation with clarity and passion, and is strikingly contrasted by King Leopold’s letter. The foreword was worth reading as it provided the necessary context for the second letter, but the last several writings by Wallace D Wattles seemed only vaguely relevant and alarmingly errant when compared with Christ’s actual teachings. If the extra writings by Wallace had been left out of the book, I likely would have given it a 5-star rating. The rest of the book is well worth the read.

[Mimi.Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

This touched my very soul.... to this day black Americans are still facing the same injustice.

[jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not that I've read many letters in my life, but if I HAD read lots of letters there is still no way that any letter I hypothetically would have read up until now would have gone anywhere near as hard as this letter did. How impactful it is doesn't even really have anything to do with what MLK is saying, although what he is saying is obviously incredibly important, but has more to do with how he says what he's saying.

Right off the hop, this letter gets 5 stars before the actual content of it is even considered. This might be like one of the most well known facts in the world (I would hope), but it still deserves to be said - MLK's skill in crafting an emotionally gripping and, frankly, utterly-heart wrenching speech is bar fucking none and it translates from his speaking to his writing without losing a shred of value. On the basis of pure literature alone, this is an absolute 5-star piece of writing if there ever was one. But if that wasn't enough already, MLK also outlines here a rigorous and well formulated account of political disobedience that I frankly think is almost impossible to argue against. The way he so effectively fuses the, for lack of a better word, "technical" and emotive sides of his writing only serves to strengthen rather than weaken the actual position he's pushing for since the heroism and self-sacrifice that he fuses into his account of political disobedience doesn't lend itself to being easily pushed back on. And while one might argue that the general approach he takes to combating systemic racism is a little outdated when compared to more contemporary standards of anti-racism, I think his discussion of white moderates is equally as relevant today as it was back then.

TL;DR - If high school English classes don't upgrade their social justice educating from To Kill A Mockingbird to literally anything else soon, I'm about to be politically disobedient until the government makes it mandatory for everyone to read this or literally just anything said or written by any actual civil rights leader. Seriously, do yourself a favor and read this if you haven't already.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. 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; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.”

[Rodney Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth the short read! MLK is vulnerable and real as he writes in the middle of sacrifice and suffering. Many of his thoughts desperately need to be heard today for their rationality and peaceful tone that calls for brotherhood instead of vengeance and violence. King is uncompromising in his stand for equality while simultaneously extending a large serving of grace to those who disagree with his tactics. It is obvious that he has deeply considered not only the impact of his actions, but the path to reconciliation as well. He well illustrates the biblical ministries of righteousness, justice, and love. His arguments are well reasoned and expertly articulated.

I am not in agreement of all of his views articulated in the letter, particular those rooted in liberation theology, however, I greatly appreciate his mindfulness and his conciliatory approach to those who are not completely aligned with him.

Certainly a must read!

[Chris Loeffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book read by Dr. King. Many of King's famous quotes come from this one piece. It is such a powerful piece and makes those quotes, which are valuable unto themselves, all the more important. The context to understand King's thinking gives new life and meaning to those phrases. His critical yet optimistic approach throughout helped push me to think critically about my actions and how I could act individually to move away from the long-term hope that change will occur and focus instead on the ways to make significant change now.

[Tyler Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book on Audible. This was a powerful and moving letter. I am so glad I listened to it. I was struck by how patient Dr. King was with the white pastors he was writing to, and by how widely he quoted from historic theologians, the scriptures, and more recent figures. Dr. King was clearly a very educated man, and his appeal was grounded in the Christian tradition and his own faith. This is something I think all kids should read in high school.

[Phillip Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to put into words what I felt reading Dr. King's letter. The passion that he felt for his cause, even in that jail cell is beyond belief. Even through all the abuse and hardships he continued to advocate peaceful, nonviolent action. From sit-ins to marches. This should be required reading for high school students.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think anyone who wants to quite the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. needs to read this book to understand the full context behind the slice and dice of words. This will be an annual read for me. It’s wonderful and in spite of progress shows how little we’ve actually made in the fight against injustice.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely in our world today. I need to read this again and again. I'm thankful for reminders like the recognition of MLK's birthday but I should do better at remembering him and his message every day. His is a message of freedom and of love. We can all learn from him. Read this...then read it again!

[Laura Mahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in 1963 yet still so painfully relevant to modern times. Do yourselves a favour and read this.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, profound, and the blueprint for all that came after. Should be required reading.

[Rachel Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I read this in it’s entirety after just hearing bits and pieces for years.

[Allison Berkowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea that so many of my favorite MLK quotes came from this letter. Quick, very important read!

[Michelle Hausmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, powerful words appropriate for this day.

[Camilla Taft Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant work with meaningful references both historic and contemporary. King appeals to the best in humans while laying bare the realities of black America.

[Ruth Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it. It will draw you in and you won't be able to stop. You can feel his passion and his heart. One of the most eloquent pieces I have ever read.

[Jacqueline Fish · Rating 5 out of 5]

More significant than anything else I’ll read this year- I hope history records me to not be one of the marginal Christians.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Timeless call to action and ever-inspiring. Challenge yourselves people!

[Luis Estrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best things I’ve ever read. Not a word wasted. Absolutely poetry. Poetry written with tangible intent