Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil Disobedience

Question 5 • CR-ALLPS-English 11 B

Choose the statement that best summarizes the purpose of King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”

Answer

to show that the leaders of Birmingham need to find new ways to negotiate with African American leaders instead of jailing them for marching without a permit

to demonstrate that the Birmingham clergymen who criticize King want to stop African Americans from gaining equality in their city

to explain that the protests led by King in Birmingham are necessary because the local leaders and courts are not willing to confront the issue

to illustrate that the violence associated with King’s protests in Alabama is justified because a person who attacks a protestor should also be attacked

Explanation

King explains that nonviolent direct action is necessary because Birmingham’s leaders have refused to address racial injustice through negotiation or the courts. The protests create pressure to confront an issue that officials have avoided. Choice C best summarizes this purpose; King does not argue that violence against protesters should be answered with violence.

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