April 16, 1963 Martin Luther King's Letter from the Birmingham Jail MYDEARFELLOWCLERGYMEN: WhileconfinedhereintheBirminghamcityjail,Icameacrossyourrecentstatementcallingmypresentactivities"unwiseanduntimely."SeldomdoIpauseto answercriticismofmyworkandideas.ifisoughttoanswerallthecriticismsthat crossmydesk,mysecretarieswouldhavelittletimeforanythingotherthansuch correspondenceinthecourseoftheday,andiwouldhavenotimeforconstructivework.butsinceifeelthatyouaremenofgenuinegoodwillandthatyour criticismsaresincerelysetforth,iwanttotrytoansweryourstatementsinwhati hopewillbepatientandreasonableterms. IthinkIshouldindicatewhyIamhereinBirmingham,sinceyouhavebeeninfluencedbytheviewwhicharguesagainst"outsiderscomingin."Ihavethehonorof servingaspresidentofthesouthernchristianleadershipconference,anorganizationoperatingineverysouthernstate,withheadquartersinatlanta,georgia. Wehavesomeeighty fiveaffiliatedorganizationsacrossthesouth,andoneof themisthealabamachristianmovementforhumanrights.frequentlyweshare staff,educationalandfinancialresourceswithouraffiliates.severalmonthsago theaffiliatehereinbirminghamaskedustobeoncalltoengageinanonviolent direct actionprogramifsuchweredeemednecessary.wereadilyconsented,and whenthehourcameweliveduptoourpromise.soi,alongwithseveralmembers ofmystaff,amherebecauseiwasinvitedhereiamherebecauseihaveorganizationaltieshere. Butmorebasically,IaminBirminghambecauseinjusticeishere.Justasthe prophetsoftheeighthcenturyb.c.lefttheirvillagesandcarriedtheir"thussaith thelord"farbeyondtheboundariesoftheirhometowns,andjustastheapostle PaullefthisvillageofTarsusandcarriedthegospelofJesusChristtothefarcornersoftheGreco Romanworld,soamIcompelledtocarrythegospeloffreedom beyondmyownhometown.likepaul,imustconstantlyrespondtothemacedoniancallforaid. Moreover,Iamcognizantoftheinterrelatednessofallcommunitiesandstates.I cannotsitidlybyinatlantaandnotbeconcernedaboutwhathappensinbir MLK Birmingham Jail Letter Page 1
mingham.injusticeanywhereisathreattojusticeeverywhere.wearecaughtin aninescapablenetworkofmutuality,tiedinasinglegarmentofdestiny.whatever affectsonedirectly,affectsallindirectly.neveragaincanweaffordtolivewiththe narrow,provincial"outsideagitator"idea.anyonewholivesinsidetheunited Statescanneverbeconsideredanoutsideranywherewithinitsbounds. YoudeplorethedemonstrationstakingplaceinBirmingham.Butyourstatement,I amsorrytosay,failstoexpressasimilarconcernfortheconditionsthatbrought aboutthedemonstrations.iamsurethatnoneofyouwouldwanttorestcontent withthesuperficialkindofsocialanalysisthatdealsmerelywitheffectsanddoes notgrapplewithunderlyingcauses.itisunfortunatethatdemonstrationsaretakingplaceinbirmingham,butitisevenmoreunfortunatethatthecity'swhite powerstructureleftthenegrocommunitywithnoalternative. Inanynonviolentcampaigntherearefourbasicsteps:collectionofthefactsto determinewhetherinjusticesexist;negotiation;self purification;anddirectaction.wehavegonethroughanthesestepsinbirmingham.therecanbenogainsayingthefactthatracialinjusticeengulfsthiscommunity.birminghamisprobablythemostthoroughlysegregatedcityintheunitedstates.itsuglyrecordof brutalityiswidelyknown.negroeshaveexperiencedgrosslyunjusttreatmentin thecourts.therehavebeenmoreunsolvedbombingsofnegrohomesand churchesinbirminghamthaninanyothercityinthenation.thesearethehard, brutalfactsofthecase.onthebasisoftheseconditions,negroleaderssoughtto negotiatewiththecityfathers.butthelatterconsistentlyrefusedtoengagein good faithnegotiation. Then,lastSeptember,cametheopportunitytotalkwithleadersofBirmingham's economiccommunity.inthecourseofthenegotiations,certainpromiseswere madebythemerchants forexample,toremovethestoreshumiliatingracial signs.onthebasisofthesepromises,thereverendfredshuttlesworthandthe leadersofthealabamachristianmovementforhumanrightsagreedtoamoratoriumonalldemonstrations.astheweeksandmonthswentby,werealizedthat wewerethevictimsofabrokenpromise.afewsigns,brieflyremoved,returned; theothersremained. Asinsomanypastexperiences,ourhopesbadbeenblasted,andtheshadowof deepdisappointmentsettleduponus.wehadnoalternativeexcepttoprepare fordirectaction,wherebywewouldpresentourverybodiesasameansoflaying MLK Birmingham Jail Letter Page 2
ourcasebeforetheconscienceofthelocalandthenationalcommunity.mindful ofthedifficultiesinvolved,wedecidedtoundertakeaprocessofself purification. Webeganaseriesofworkshopsonnonviolence,andwerepeatedlyaskedourselves:"Areyouabletoacceptblowswithoutretaliating?""Areyouabletoenduretheordealofjail?"Wedecidedtoscheduleourdirect actionprogramforthe Easterseason,realizingthatexceptforChristmas,thisisthemainshoppingperiod oftheyear.knowingthatastrongeconomicwithdrawalprogramwouldbethebyproductofdirectaction,wefeltthatthiswouldbethebesttimetobringpressure tobearonthemerchantsfortheneededchange. ThenitoccurredtousthatBirmingham'smayoraltyelectionwascomingupin March,andwespeedilydecidedtopostponeactionuntilafterelectionday.When wediscoveredthatthecommissionerofpublicsafety,eugene"bull"connor,had piledupenoughvotestobeintherun offwedecidedagaintopostponeaction untilthedayaftertherun offsothatthedemonstrationscouldnotbeusedto cloudtheissues.likemanyothers,wewaitedtoseemr.connordefeated,andto thisendweenduredpostponementafterpostponement.havingaidedinthis communityneed,wefeltthatourdirect actionprogramcouldbedelayedno longer. Youmaywellask:"Whydirectaction?Whysit ins,marchesandsoforth?isn'tnegotiationabetterpath?"youarequiterightincalling,fornegotiation.indeed,this istheverypurposeofdirectaction.nonviolentdirectactionseekstocreatesuch acrisisandfostersuchatensionthatacommunitywhichhasconstantlyrefused tonegotiateisforcedtoconfronttheissue.itseekssotodramatizetheissuethat itcannolongerbeignored.mycitingthecreationoftensionaspartofthework ofthenonviolent resistermaysoundrathershocking.butimustconfessthatiam notafraidoftheword"tension."ihaveearnestlyopposedviolenttension,but thereisatypeofconstructive,nonviolenttensionwhichisnecessaryforgrowth. JustasSocratesfeltthatitwasnecessarytocreateatensioninthemindsothat individualscouldrisefromthebondageofmythsandhalf truthstotheunfettered realmofcreativeanalysisandobjectiveappraisal,wemustweseetheneedfor nonviolentgadfliestocreatethekindoftensioninsocietythatwillhelpmenrise fromthedarkdepthsofprejudiceandracismtothemajesticheightsofunderstandingandbrotherhood. Thepurposeofourdirect actionprogramistocreateasituationsocrisis packed thatitwillinevitablyopenthedoortonegotiation.ithereforeconcurwithyouin MLK Birmingham Jail Letter Page 3
yourcallfornegotiation.toolonghasourbelovedsouthlandbeenboggeddown inatragicefforttoliveinmonologueratherthandialogue. OneofthebasicpointsinyourstatementisthattheactionthatIandmyassociateshavetakeninBirminghamisuntimely.Somehaveasked:"Whydidn'tyou givethenewcityadministrationtimetoact?"theonlyanswerthaticangiveto thisqueryisthatthenewbirminghamadministrationmustbeproddedaboutas muchastheoutgoingone,beforeitwillact.wearesadlymistakenifwefeelthat theelectionofalbertboutwellasmayorwillbringthemillenniumtobirmingham. WhileMr.BoutwellisamuchmoregentlepersonthanMr.Connor,theyareboth segregationists,dedicatedtomaintenanceofthestatusquo.ihavehopethatmr. Boutwellwillbereasonableenoughtoseethefutilityofmassiveresistancetodesegregation.Buthewillnotseethiswithoutpressurefromdevoteesofcivilrights. Myfriends,Imustsaytoyouthatwehavenotmadeasinglegaincivilrightswithoutdeterminedlegalandnonviolentpressure.Lamentably,itisanhistoricalfact thatprivilegedgroupsseldomgiveuptheirprivilegesvoluntarily.individualsmay seethemorallightandvoluntarilygiveuptheirunjustposture;but,asreinhold Niebuhrhasremindedus,groupstendtobemoreimmoralthanindividuals. Weknowthroughpainfulexperiencethatfreedomisnevervoluntarilygivenby theoppressor;itmustbedemandedbytheoppressed.frankly,ihaveyettoengageinadirect actioncampaignthatwas"welltimed"intheviewofthosewho havenotsufferedundulyfromthediseaseofsegregation.foryearsnowihave heardtheword"wait!"itringsintheearofeverynegrowithpiercingfamiliarity. This"Wait"hasalmostalwaysmeant'Never."Wemustcometosee,withoneof ourdistinguishedjurists,that"justicetoolongdelayedisjusticedenied." Wehavewaitedformorethan340yearsforourconstitutionalandGod given rights.thenationsofasiaandafricaaremovingwithjetlikespeedtowardgaining politicalindependence,butwestiffcreepathorse and buggypacetowardgaining acupofcoffeeatalunchcounter.perhapsitiseasyforthosewhohaveneverfelt thestingingdarkofsegregationtosay,"wait."butwhenyouhaveseenvicious mobslynchyourmothersandfathersatwillanddrownyoursistersandbrothers atwhim;whenyouhaveseenhate filledpolicemencurse,kickandevenkillyour blackbrothersandsisters;whenyouseethevastmajorityofyourtwentymillion Negrobrotherssmotheringinanairtightcageofpovertyinthemidstofanaffluentsociety;whenyousuddenlyfindyourtonguetwistedandyourspeechstammeringasyouseektoexplaintoyoursix year olddaughterwhyshecan'tgoto MLK Birmingham Jail Letter Page 4
thepublicamusementparkthathasjustbeenadvertisedontelevision,andsee tearswellingupinhereyeswhensheistoldthatfuntownisclosedtocolored children,andseeominouscloudsofinferioritybeginningtoforminherlittlementalsky,andseeherbeginningtodistortherpersonalitybydevelopinganunconsciousbitternesstowardwhitepeople;whenyouhavetoconcoctananswerfora five year oldsonwhoisasking:"daddy,whydowhitepeopletreatcoloredpeople somean?";whenyoutakeacross countydriveandfinditnecessarytosleepnight afternightintheuncomfortablecornersofyourautomobilebecausenomotelwill acceptyou;whenyouarehumiliateddayinanddayoutbynaggingsignsreading "white"and"colored";whenyourfirstnamebecomes"nigger,"yourmiddlename becomes"boy"(howeveroldyouare)andyourlastnamebecomes"john,"and yourwifeandmotherarenevergiventherespectedtitle"mrs.";whenyouare harriedbydayandhauntedbynightbythefactthatyouareanegro,livingconstantlyattiptoestance,neverquiteknowingwhattoexpectnext,andareplagued withinnerfearsandouterresentments;whenyouareforeverfightingadegeneratingsenseof"nobodiness"thenyouwillunderstandwhywefinditdifficultto wait.therecomesatimewhenthecupofendurancerunsover,andmenareno longerwillingtobeplungedintotheabyssofdespair.ihope,sirs,youcanunderstandourlegitimateandunavoidableimpatience. Youexpressagreatdealofanxietyoverourwillingnesstobreaklaws.Thisiscertainlyalegitimateconcern.SincewesodiligentlyurgepeopletoobeytheSupremeCourt'sdecisionof1954outlawingsegregationinthepublicschools,at firstglanceitmayseemratherparadoxicalforusconsciouslytobreaklaws.one maywonask:"howcanyouadvocatebreakingsomelawsandobeyingothers?" Theanswerliesinthefactthattherefiretwotypesoflaws:justandunjust.I wouldbethebrattoadvocateobeyingjustlaws.onehasnotonlyalegalbuta moralresponsibilitytoobeyjustlaws.conversely,onehasamoralresponsibility todisobeyunjustlaws.iwouldagreewithst.augustinethat"anunjustlawisno lawatall" Now,whatisthedifferencebetweenthetwo?Howdoesonedeterminewhether alawisjustorunjust?ajustlawisaman madecodethatsquareswiththemoral laworthelawofgod.anunjustlawisacodethatisoutofharmonywiththe morallaw.toputitinthetermsofst.thomasaquinas:anunjustlawisahuman lawthatisnotrootedineternallawandnaturallaw.anylawthatupliftshuman personalityisjust.anylawthatdegradeshumanpersonalityisunjust.allsegregationstatutesareunjustbecausesegregationdistortthesoulanddamagesthe MLK Birmingham Jail Letter Page 5
personality.itgivesthesegregatorafalsesenseofsuperiorityandthesegregated afalsesenseofinferiority.segregation,tousetheterminologyofthejewishphilosophermartinbuber,substitutesan"i it"relationshipforan"i thou"relationshipandendsuprelegatingpersonstothestatusofthings.hencesegregationis notonlypolitically,economicallyandsociologicallyunsound,itismorallywrong andawful.paultillichsaidthatsinisseparation.isnotsegregationanexistential expression'ofman'stragicseparation,hisawfulestrangement,histerriblesinfulness?thusitisthaticanurgementoobeythe1954decisionofthesupreme Court,foritismorallyright;andIcanurgethemtodisobeysegregationordinances,fortheyaremorallywrong. Letusconsideramoreconcreteexampleofjustandunjustlaws.Anunjustlawisa codethatanumericalorpowermajoritygroupcompelsaminoritygrouptoobey butdoesnotmakebindingonitself.thisisdifferencemadelegal.bythesametoken,ajustlawisacodethatamajoritycompelsaminoritytofollowandthatitis willingtofollowitself.thisissamenessmadelegal. Letmegiveanotherexplanation.Alawisunjustifitisinflictedonaminoritythat, asaresultofbeingdeniedtherighttovote,hadnopartinenactingordevising thelaw.whocansaythatthelegislatureofalabamawhichsetupthatstate'ssegregationlawswasdemocraticallyelected?throughoutalabamaallsortsofdeviousmethodsareusedtopreventnegroesfrombecomingregisteredvoters,and therearesomecountiesinwhich,eventhoughnegroesconstituteamajorityof thepopulation,notasinglenegroisregistered.cananylawenactedundersuch circumstancesbeconsidereddemocraticallystructured? Sometimesalawisjustonitsfaceandunjustinitsapplication.Forinstance,I havebeenarrestedonachargeofparadingwithoutapermit.now,thereisnothingwronginhavinganordinancewhichrequiresapermitforaparade.butsuch anordinancebecomesunjustwhenitisusedtomaintainsegregationandtodeny citizensthefirstamendmentprivilegeofpeacefulassemblyandprotest. IhopeyouareabletoacethedistinctionIamtryingtopointout.InnosensedoI advocateevadingordefyingthelaw,aswouldtherabidsegregationist.that wouldleadtoanarchy.onewhobreaksanunjustlawmustdosoopenly,lovingly, andwithawillingnesstoacceptthepenalty.isubmitthatanindividualwho breaksalawthatconsciencetellshimisunjustandwhowillinglyacceptsthepenaltyofimprisonmentinordertoarousetheconscienceofthecommunityoverits injustice,isinrealityexpressingthehighestrespectforlaw. MLK Birmingham Jail Letter Page 6
Ofcourse,thereisnothingnewaboutthiskindofcivildisobedience.ItwasevidencedsublimelyintherefusalofShadrach,MeshachandAbednegotoobeythe lawsofnebuchadnezzar,onthegroundthatahighermorallawwasatstake.it waspracticedsuperblybytheearlychristians,whowerewillingtofacehungry lionsandtheexcruciatingpainofchoppingblocksratherthansubmittocertain unjustlawsoftheromanempire.toadegree,academicfreedomisarealitytoday becausesocratespracticedcivildisobedience.inourownnation,thebostontea Partyrepresentedamassiveactofcivildisobedience. WeshouldneverforgetthateverythingAdolfHitlerdidinGermanywas"legal" andeverythingthehungarianfreedomfightersdidinhungarywas"illegal."itwas "illegal"toaidandcomfortajewinhitler'sgermany.evenso,iamsurethat,had IlivedinGermanyatthetime,IwouldhaveaidedandcomfortedmyJewish brothers.iftodayilivedinacommunistcountrywherecertainprinciplesdearto thechristianfaitharesuppressed,iwouldopenlyadvocatedisobeyingthatcountry'santireligiouslaws. Imustmaketwohonestconfessionstoyou,myChristianandJewishbrothers. First,ImustconfessthatoverthepastfewyearsIhavebeengravelydisappointed withthewhitemoderate.ihavealmostreachedtheregrettableconclusionthat thenegro'sgreatstumblingblockinhisstridetowardfreedomisnotthewhite Citizen'sCouncilerortheKuKluxKlanner,butthewhitemoderate,whoismore devotedto"order"thantojustice;whoprefersanegativepeacewhichistheabsenceoftensiontoapositivepeacewhichisthepresenceofjustice;whoconstantlysays:"iagreewithyouinthegoalyouseek,buticannotagreewithyour methodsofdirectaction";whopaternalisticallybelieveshecansetthetimetable foranotherman'sfreedom;wholivesbyamythicalconceptoftimeandwhoconstantlyadvisesthenegrotowaitfora"moreconvenientseason."shallowunderstandingfrompeopleofgoodwillismorefrustratingthanabsolutemisunderstandingfrompeopleofillwill.lukewarmacceptanceismuchmorebewildering thanoutrightrejection. Ihadhopedthatthewhitemoderatewouldunderstandthatlawandorderexist forthepurposeofestablishingjusticeandthatwhentheyfaninthispurposethey becomethedangerouslystructureddamsthatblocktheflowofsocialprogress.i hadhopedthatthewhitemoderatewouldunderstandthatthepresenttensionin thesouthisanecessaryphaseofthetransitionfromanobnoxiousnegative MLK Birmingham Jail Letter Page 7
peace,inwhichthenegropassivelyacceptedhisunjustplight,toasubstantive andpositivepeace,inwhichallmenwillrespectthedignityandworthofhuman personality.actually,wewhoengageinnonviolentdirectactionarenotthecreatorsoftension.wemerelybringtothesurfacethehiddentensionthatisalready alive.webringitoutintheopen,whereitcanbeseenanddealtwith.likeaboil thatcanneverbecuredsolongasitiscoveredupbutmustbeopenedwithanits uglinesstothenaturalmedicinesofairandlight,injusticemustbeexposed,with allthetensionitsexposurecreates,tothelightofhumanconscienceandtheair ofnationalopinionbeforeitcanbecured. Inyourstatementyouassertthatouractions,eventhoughpeaceful,mustbe condemnedbecausetheyprecipitateviolence.butisthisalogicalassertion?isn't thislikecondemningarobbedmanbecausehispossessionofmoneyprecipitated theevilactofrobbery?isn'tthislikecondemningsocratesbecausehisunswerving commitmenttotruthandhisphilosophicalinquiriesprecipitatedtheactbythe misguidedpopulaceinwhichtheymadehimdrinkhemlock?isn'tthislikecondemningjesusbecausehisuniquegod consciousnessandnever ceasingdevotion togod'swillprecipitatedtheevilactofcrucifixion?wemustcometoseethat,as thefederalcourtshaveconsistentlyaffirmed,itiswrongtourgeanindividualto ceasehiseffortstogainhisbasicconstitutionalrightsbecausethequestmayprecipitateviolence.societymustprotecttherobbedandpunishtherobber. Ihadalsohopedthatthewhitemoderatewouldrejectthemythconcerningtime inrelationtothestruggleforfreedom.ihavejustreceivedaletterfromawhite brotherintexas.hewrites:"anchristiansknowthatthecoloredpeoplewillreceiveequalrightseventually,butitispossiblethatyouareintoogreatareligious hurry.ithastakenchristianityalmosttwothousandyearstoaccomplishwhatit has.theteachingsofchristtaketimetocometoearth."suchanattitudestems fromatragicmisconceptionoftime,fromthestrangelyrationalnotionthatthere issomethingintheveryflowoftimethatwillinevitablycureallills.actually,time itselfisneutral;itcanbeusedeitherdestructivelyorconstructively.moreand moreifeelthatthepeopleofillwillhaveusedtimemuchmoreeffectivelythan havethepeopleofgoodwill.wewillhavetorepentinthisgenerationnotmerely forthehatefulwordsandactionsofthebadpeoplebutfortheappallingsilence ofthegoodpeople.humanprogressneverrollsinonwheelsofinevitability;it comesthroughthetirelesseffortsofmenwillingtobeco workerswithgod,and withoutthis'hardwork,timeitselfbecomesanallyoftheforcesofsocialstagnation.wemustusetimecreatively,intheknowledgethatthetimeisalwaysripeto MLK Birmingham Jail Letter Page 8
doright.nowisthetimetomakerealthepromiseofdemocracyandtransform ourpendingnationalelegyintoacreativepsalmofbrotherhood.nowisthetime toliftournationalpolicyfromthequicksandofracialinjusticeto6esolidrockof humandignity. YouspeakofouractivityinBirminghamasextreme.AtfistIwasratherdisappointedthatfellowclergymenwouldseemynonviolenteffortsasthoseofanextremist.Ibeganthinkingaboutthefactthatstandinthemiddleoftwoopposing forcesinthenegrocommunity.oneisaforceofcomplacency,madeupinpartof Negroeswho,asaresultoflongyearsofoppression,aresodrainedofself respect andasenseof"somebodiness"thattheyhaveadjustedtosegregation;andin partofafewmiddleclassnegroeswho,becauseofadegreeofacademicand economicsecurityandbecauseinsomewaystheyprofitbysegregation,havebecomeinsensitivetotheproblemsofthemasses.theotherforceisoneofbitternessandhatred,anditcomesperilouslyclosetoadvocatingviolence.itisexpressedinthevariousblacknationalistgroupsthatarespringingupacrossthenation,thelargestandbest knownbeingelijahmuhammad'smuslimmovement. NourishedbytheNegro'sfrustrationoverthecontinuedexistenceofracialdiscrimination,thismovementismadeupofpeoplewhohavelostfaithinAmerica, whohaveabsolutelyrepudiatedchristianity,andwhohaveconcludedthatthe whitemanisanincorrigible"devil." Ihavetriedtostandbetweenthesetwoforces,sayingthatweneedemulateneitherthe"do nothingism"ofthecomplacentnorthehatredanddespairofthe blacknationalist.forthereisthemoreexcellentwayofloveandnonviolentprotest.iamgratefultogodthat,throughtheinfluenceofthenegrochurch,theway ofnonviolencebecameanintegralpartofourstruggle. Ifthisphilosophyhadnotemerged,bynowmanystreetsoftheSouthwould,Iam convinced,beflowingwithblood.andiamfurtherconvincedthatifourwhite brothersdismissas"rabble rousers"and"outsideagitators"thoseofuswhoemploynonviolentdirectaction,andiftheyrefusetosupportournonviolentefforts, millionsofnegroeswill,outoffrustrationanddespair,seeksolaceandsecurityin black nationalistideologiesadevelopmentthatwouldinevitablyleadtoafrighteningracialnightmare. Oppressedpeoplecannotremainoppressedforever.Theyearningforfreedom eventuallymanifestsitself,andthatiswhathashappenedtotheamericannegro. Somethingwithinhasremindedhimofhisbirthrightoffreedom,andsomething MLK Birmingham Jail Letter Page 9
withouthasremindedhimthatitcanbegained.consciouslyorunconsciously,he hasbeencaughtupbythezeitgeist,andwithhisblackbrothersofafricaandhis brownandyellowbrothersofasia,southamericaandthecaribbean,theunited StatesNegroismovingwithasenseofgreaturgencytowardthepromisedlandof racialjustice.ifonerecognizesthisvitalurgethathasengulfedthenegrocommunity,oneshouldreadilyunderstandwhypublicdemonstrationsaretakingplace. TheNegrohasmanypent upresentmentsandlatentfrustrations,andhemustreleasethem.solethimmarch;lethimmakeprayerpilgrimagestothecityhall;let himgoonfreedomrides andtrytounderstandwhyhemustdoso.ifhisrepressedemotionsarenotreleasedinnonviolentways,theywillseekexpression throughviolence;thisisnotathreatbutafactofhistory.soihavenotsaidtomy people:"getridofyourdiscontent."rather,ihavetriedtosaythatthisnormal andhealthydiscontentcanbechanneledintothecreativeoutletofnonviolentdirectaction.andnowthisapproachisbeingtermedextremist. ButthoughIwasinitiallydisappointedatbeingcategorizedasanextremist,asI continuedtothinkaboutthematterigraduallygainedameasureofsatisfaction fromthelabel.wasnotjesusanextremistforlove:"loveyourenemies,bless themthatcurseyou,dogoodtothemthathateyou,andprayforthemwhichdespitefullyuseyou,andpersecuteyou."wasnotamosanextremistforjustice: "Letjusticerolldownlikewatersandrighteousnesslikeanever flowingstream." WasnotPaulanextremistfortheChristiangospel:"Ibearinmybodythemarks ofthelordjesus."wasnotmartinlutheranextremist:"hereistand;icannotdo otherwise,sohelpmegod."andjohnbunyan:"iwillstayinjailtotheendofmy daysbeforeimakeabutcheryofmyconscience."andabrahamlincoln:"thisnationcannotsurvivehalfslaveandhalffree."andthomasjefferson:"wehold thesetruthstobeself evident,thatanmenarecreatedequal..."sothequestion isnotwhetherwewillbeextremists,butwhatkindofextremistswebe.willwe beextremistsforhateorforlove?willwebeextremistforthepreservationofinjusticeorfortheextensionofjustice?inthatdramaticsceneoncalvary'shill threemenwerecrucified.wemustneverforgetthatallthreewerecrucifiedfor thesamecrime thecrimeofextremism.twowereextremistsforimmorality, andthusfellbelowtheirenvironment.theother,jesuschrist,wasanextremist forlove,truthandgoodness,andtherebyroseabovehisenvironment.perhaps thesouth,thenationandtheworldareindireneedofcreativeextremists. Ihadhopedthatthewhitemoderatewouldseethisneed.PerhapsIwastoooptimistic;perhapsIexpectedtoomuch.IsupposeIshouldhaverealizedthatfew MLK Birmingham Jail Letter Page 10
membersoftheoppressorracecanunderstandthedeepgroansandpassionate yearningsoftheoppressedrace,andstillfewerhavethevisiontoseethatinjusticemustberootedoutbystrong,persistentanddeterminedaction.iamthankful,however,thatsomeofourwhitebrothersinthesouthhavegraspedthe meaningofthissocialrevolutionandcommittedthemselvestoit.theyarestill toofewinquantity,buttheyarebiginquality.some suchasralphmcgill,lillian Smith,HarryGolden,JamesMcBrideDabbs,AnnBradenandSarahPattonBoyle havewrittenaboutourstruggleineloquentandpropheticterms.othershave marchedwithusdownnamelessstreetsofthesouth.theyhavelanguishedin filthy,roach infestedjails,sufferingtheabuseandbrutalityofpolicemenwho viewthemas"dirtyniggerlovers."unlikesomanyoftheirmoderatebrothersand sisters,theyhaverecognizedtheurgencyofthemomentandsensedtheneedfor powerful"action"antidotestocombatthediseaseofsegregation. Letmetakenoteofmyothermajordisappointment.Ihavebeensogreatlydisappointedwiththewhitechurchanditsleadership.Ofcourse,therearesomenotableexceptions.Iamnotunmindfulofthefactthateachofyouhastakensome significantstandsonthisissue.icommendyou,reverendstallings,foryourchristianstandonthispastsunday,inwelcomingnegroestoyourworshipserviceona nonsegregatedbasis.icommendthecatholicleadersofthisstateforintegrating SpringHillCollegeseveralyearsago. Butdespitethesenotableexceptions,ImusthonestlyreiteratethatIhavebeen disappointedwiththechurch.idonotsaythisasoneofthosenegativecritics whocanalwaysfindsomethingwrongwiththechurch.isaythisasaministerof thegospel,wholovesthechurch;whowasnurturedinitsbosom;who'hasbeen sustainedbyitsspiritualblessingsandwhowillremaintruetoitaslongasthe cordofrioshalllengthen. WhenIwassuddenlycatapultedintotheleadershipofthebusprotestinMontgomery,Alabama,afewyearsago,Ifeltwewouldbesupportedbythewhite churchfeltthatthewhiteministers,priestsandrabbisofthesouthwouldbe amongourstrongestallies.instead,somehavebeenoutrightopponents,refusing tounderstandthefreedommovementandmisrepresentingitsleaderera;antoo manyothershavebeenmorecautiousthancourageousandhaveremainedsilent behindtheanesthetizingsecurityofstained glasswindows. MLK Birmingham Jail Letter Page 11
Inspiteofmyshattereddreams,IcametoBirminghamwiththehopethatthe whitereligiousleadershipofthiscommunitywouldseethejusticeofourcause and,withdeepmoralconcern,wouldserveasthechannelthroughwhichourjust grievancescouldreachthepowerstructure.ihadhopedthateachofyouwould understand.butagainihavebeendisappointed. Ihaveheardnumeroussouthernreligiousleadersadmonishtheirworshipersto complywithadesegregationdecisionbecauseitisthelaw,butihavelongedto hearwhiteministersdeclare:"followthisdecreebecauseintegrationismorally rightandbecausethenegroisyourbrother."inthemidstofblatantinjusticesinflicteduponthenegro,ihavewatchedwhitechurchmenstandonthesideline andmouthpiousirrelevanciesandsanctimonioustrivialities.inthemidstofa mightystruggletoridournationofracialandeconomicinjustice,ihaveheard manyministerssay:"thosearesocialissues,withwhichthegospelhasnoreal concern."andihavewatchedmanychurchescommitthemselvestoacompletely otherworldlyreligionwhichmakesastrange,onbiblicaldistinctionbetweenbody andsoul,betweenthesacredandthesecular. IhavetraveledthelengthandbreadthofAlabama,Mississippiandalltheother southernstates.onswelteringsummerdaysandcrispautumnmorningsihave lookedatthesouth'sbeautifulchurcheswiththeirloftyspirespointingheavenward.ihavebeheldtheimpressiveoutlinesofhermassivereligious education buildings.overandoverihavefoundmyselfasking:"whatkindofpeopleworship here?whoistheirgod?whereweretheirvoiceswhenthelipsofgovernorbarnettdrippedwithwordsofinterpositionandnullification?whereweretheywhen GovernorWalleyegaveaclarioncallfordefianceandhatred?Whereweretheir voicesofsupportwhenbruisedandwearynegromenandwomendecidedtorise fromthedarkdungeonsofcomplacencytothebrighthillsofcreativeprotest?" Yes,thesequestionsarestillinmymind.IndeepdisappointmentIhaveweptover thelaxityofthechurch.butbeassuredthatmytearshavebeentearsoflove. Therecanbenodeepdisappointmentwherethereisnotdeeplove.Yes,Ilovethe church.howcouldidootherwise?lamintheratheruniquepositionofbeingthe son,thegrandsonandthegreat grandsonofpreachers.yes,iseethechurchas thebodyofchrist.but,oh!howwehaveblemishedandscarredthatbody throughsocialneglectandthroughfearofbeingnonconformists. MLK Birmingham Jail Letter Page 12
Therewasatimewhenthechurchwasverypowerfulinthetimewhentheearly Christiansrejoicedatbeingdeemedworthytosufferforwhattheybelieved.In thosedaysthechurchwasnotmerelyathermometerthatrecordedtheideasand principlesofpopularopinion;itwasathermostatthattransformedthemoresof society.whenevertheearlychristiansenteredatown,thepeopleinpowerbecamedisturbedandimmediatelysoughttoconvictthechristiansforbeing"disturbersofthepeace"and"outsideagitators"'butthechristianspressedon,inthe convictionthattheywere"acolonyofheaven,"calledtoobeygodratherthan man.smallinnumber,theywerebigincommitment.theyweretoogodintoxicatedtobe"astronomicallyintimidated."bytheireffortandexamplethey broughtanendtosuchancientevilsasinfanticide.andgladiatorialcontests. Thingsaredifferentnow.Sooftenthecontemporarychurchisaweak,ineffectual voicewithanuncertainsound.sooftenitisanarchdefenderofthestatusquo. Parfrombeingdisturbedbythepresenceofthechurch,thepowerstructureof theaveragecommunityisconsoledbythechurch'ssilentandoftenevenvocal sanctionofthingsastheyare. ButthejudgmentofGodisuponthechurchasneverbefore.Iftoday'schurch doesnotrecapturethesacrificialspiritoftheearlychurch,itwillloseitsauthenticity,forfeittheloyaltyofmillions,andbedismissedasanirrelevantsocialclub withnomeaningforthetwentiethcentury.everydayimeetyoungpeoplewhose disappointmentwiththechurchhasturnedintooutrightdisgust. PerhapsIhaveonceagainbeentoooptimistic.Isorganizedreligiontooinextricablyboundtothestatusquotosaveournationandtheworld?PerhapsImustturn myfaithtotheinnerspiritualchurch,thechurchwithinthechurch,asthetrue ekklesiaandthehopeoftheworld.butagainiamthankfultogodthatsomenoblesoulsfromtheranksoforganizedreligionhavebrokenloosefromtheparalyzingchainsofconformityandjoinedusasactivepartnersinthestruggleforfreedom,theyhavelefttheirsecurecongregationsandwalkedthestreetsofalbany, Georgia,withus.TheyhavegonedownthehighwaysoftheSouthontortuous ridesforfreedom.yes,theyhavegonetojaiwithus.somehavebeendismissed fromtheirchurches,havelostthesupportoftheirbishopsandfellowministers. Buttheyhaveactedinthefaiththatrightdefeatedisstrongerthaneviltriumphant.Theirwitnesshasbeenthespiritualsaltthathaspreservedthetruemeaningofthegospelinthesetroubledtimes.Theyhavecarvedatunnelofhope throughthedarkmountainofdisappointment. MLK Birmingham Jail Letter Page 13
Ihopethechurchasawholewillmeetthechallengeofthisdecisivehour.But evenifthechurchdoesnotcometotheaidofjustice,ihavenodespairaboutthe future.ihavenofearabouttheoutcomeofourstruggleinbirmingham,evenif ourmotivesareatpresentmisunderstood.wewillreachthegoaloffreedomin Birmingham,hamandalloverthenation,becausethegoalofAmericakfreedom. Abusedandscornedthoughwemaybe,ourdestinyistiedupwithAmerica'sdestiny.BeforethepilgrimslandedatPlymouth,wewerehere.BeforethepenofJeffersonetchedthemajesticwordsoftheDeclarationofIndependenceacrossthe pagesofhistory,wewerehere.formorethantwocenturiesourforebearslaboredinthiscountrywithoutwages;theymadecottonking;theybuiltthehomes oftheirmasterswhilesufferinggrossinjusticeandshamefulhumiliation andyet outofabottomlessvitalitytheycontinuedtothriveanddevelop.iftheinexpressiblecrueltiesofslaverycouldnotstopus,theoppositionwenowfacewill surelyfail.wewillwinourfreedombecausethesacredheritageofournationand theeternalwillofgodareembodiedinourechoingdemands. BeforeclosingIfeelimpelledtomentiononeotherpointinyourstatementthat hastroubledmeprofoundly.youwarmlycommendedthebirminghampolice forceforkeeping"order"and"preventingviolence."idoubtthatyouwouldhave sowarmlycommendedthepoliceforceifyouhadseenitsdogssinkingtheirteeth intounarmed,nonviolentnegroes.idoubtthatyouwouldsoquicklycommend thepolicemenif.youweretoobservetheiruglyandinhumanetreatmentofnegroeshereinthecityjail;ifyouweretowatchthempushandcurseoldnegro womenandyoungnegrogirls;ifyouweretoseethemslapandkickoldnegro menandyoungboys;ifyouweretoobservethem,astheydidontwooccasions, refusetogiveusfoodbecausewewantedtosingourgracetogether.icannotjoin youinyourpraiseofthebirminghampolicedepartment. Itistruethatthepolicehaveexercisedadegreeofdisciplineinhandingthedemonstrators.Inthissensetheyhaveconductedthemselvesrather"nonviolently"in pubic.butforwhatpurpose?topreservetheevilsystemofsegregation.overthe pastfewyearsihaveconsistentlypreachedthatnonviolencedemandsthatthe meansweusemustbeaspureastheendsweseek.ihavetriedtomakeclear thatitiswrongtouseimmoralmeanstoattainmoralends.butnowimustaffirm thatitisjustaswrong,orperhapsevenmoreso,tousemoralmeanstopreserve immoralends.perhapsmr.connorandhispolicemenhavebeenrathernonviolent inpublic,aswaschiefpritchettinalbany,georgiabuttheyhaveusedthemoral meansofnonviolencetomaintaintheimmoralendofracialinjustice.ast.s.eliot MLK Birmingham Jail Letter Page 14
hassaid:"thelasttemptationisthegreatesttreason:todotherightdeedforthe wrongreason." IwishyouhadcommendedtheNegrosit innersanddemonstratorsofbirminghamfortheirsublimecourage,theirwillingnesstosufferandtheiramazingdisciplineinthemidstofgreatprovocation.onedaythesouthwillrecognizeitsreal heroes.theywillbethejamesmerediths,withthenoblesenseofpurposethat enablesthemtofacejeering,andhostilemobs,andwiththeagonizingloneliness thatcharacterizesthelifeofthepioneer.theywillbeold,oppressed,battered Negrowomen,symbolizedinaseventy two year oldwomaninmontgomery,alabama,whoroseupwithasenseofdignityandwithherpeopledecidednotto ridesegregatedbuses,andwhorespondedwithungrammaticalprofunditytoone whoinquiredaboutherweariness:"myfleetsistired,butmysoulisatrest."they willbetheyounghighschoolandcollegestudents,theyoungministersofthe gospelandahostoftheirelders,courageouslyandnonviolentlysittinginatlunch countersandwillinglygoingtojailforconscience'sake.onedaythesouthwill knowthatwhenthesedisinheritedchildrenofgodsatdownatlunchcounters, theywereinrealitystandingupforwhatisbestintheamericandreamandfor themostsacredvaluesinourjudaeo Christianheritage,therebybringingournationbacktothosegreatwellsofdemocracywhichweredugdeepbythefounding fathersintheirformulationoftheconstitutionandthedeclarationofindependence. NeverbeforehaveIwrittensolongaletter.I'mafraiditismuchtoolongtotake yourprecioustime.icanassureyouthatitwouldhavebeenmuchshorterifihad beenwritingfromacomfortabledesk,butwhatelsecanonedowhenhekalone inanarrowjailcell,otherthanwritelongletters,thinklongthoughtsandpray longprayers? IfIhavesaidanythinginthisletterthatoverstatesthetruthandindicatesanunreasonableimpatience,Ibegyoutoforgiveme.IfIhavesaidanythingthatunderstatesthetruthandindicatesmyhavingapatiencethatallowsmetosettlefor anythinglessthanbrotherhood,ibeggodtoforgiveme. Ihopethisletterfindsyoustronginthefaith.Ialsohopethatcircumstanceswill soonmakeitpossibleformetomeeteachofyou,notasanintegrationistoracivil rightsleaderbutasafellowclergymanandachristianbrother.letusallhopethat thedarkcloudsofracialprejudicewillsoonpassawayandthedeepfogofmisun MLK Birmingham Jail Letter Page 15
derstandingwillbeliftedfromourfear drenchedcommunities,andinsomenot toodistanttomorrowtheradiantstarsofloveandbrotherhoodwillshineoverour greatnationwithalltheirscintillatingbeauty. YoursforthecauseofPeaceandBrotherhood, MARTINLUTHERKING,JR. MLK Birmingham Jail Letter Page 16