Because MLK day is this month and BHM is next month, I think it’s important to address “A Call for Unity’ and the “Letter from Birmingham Jail”. “A Call for Unity” was an open letter by eight local white clergymen addressing civil rights demonstrations taking place in the area at the time. “A Call for Unity” called the demonstrations lead by Martin Luther King Jr. “unwise and untimely”.

        The “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was written in 1963 by Mr. King in response to “A Call for Unity”. During the time the letter by Mr. King was written he was in jail for protesting miss treatment of blacks in Birmingham, Alabama. A court had ordered that Mr. King could not hold protests in Birmingham.

        The first paragraphs in “Letter from Birmingham Jail” starts by addressing the clergymen and explaining King’s reasons for being in Birmingham. Then as the letter continues King begins to protest for freedom of equality. Towards the end of the letter he states that he would like to meet each of the clergymen who wrote the letter. King wraps up the end of the letter by saying “Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities  and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our  great nation with all of their scintillating beauty.”    

        Personally, I really enjoyed reading the “Letter from Birmingham Jail”. It’s filled with emotion and defense for what’s right. This letter can get a little dark but it was a dark time. Overall, the letter is inspiring and drives to create change for the better.