The Letter from Birmingham

To whom is the Letter from Birmingham Jail addressed?

• ministers who criticized King's efforts

• whites who arrested King for no reason

• his coworkers in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference

• his wife and his lawyer

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

According to King, history shows that...

• people don't like to give up their power.

• people easily listen to others and change their behavior.

• social change happens quickly, not over time.

• equality can never happen.

"Justice too long delayed is justice _________"

• denied.

• waiting to happen.

• soon.

• never.

King believes that resentment and frustration over racism should be channeled into...

• non-violent direct action.
• violent protest.
• religious belief.
• political discussions.

In his opening paragraph, King says that he rarely pauses to answer criticisms, but he is replying to the clergymen because

• their actions were unwise and untimely.
• their letter shows them to be extremists.
• he believes them to be sincere and good.
• he wants his letter to bring about change.

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 organizational ties in Birmingham.
• He has many relatives in Birmingham.
• He went to college in Birmingham.

 Why was Martin Luther King arrested and put in jail?

• He refused to pay income taxes. 
• The U.S. President felt threatened by his actions.  
• He participated in illegal fundraising.  
• He instructed people to disobey unjust laws.  

Towards the end of his letter, King worries that he has been

• too assertive
• too long-winded
• too silly
• too patient

King uses the evidence that other nations are gaining political independence to argue against

• inhumane treatment.
• violent protests.
• waiting for freedom.
• asking for compromise.