MLK, Jr. Rhetorical Analysis

I believe that Martin Luther King Junior's words, descriptions, and examples in his "Letter from Birmingham Jail" support the fact that this is a successful rhetorical act. In his letter, he states that he is "compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town" which interprets into him trying to reveal to his readers that the injustice in Birmingham must be told to everyone in the world, not just those amongst Birmingham. King expresses his opinion when he mentions that "Birmingham is probably the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States" because he feels that Negroes have not been treated fairly when it involves the courts system. King provides past details and experiences of events that happened when he lived in Birmingham: "There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham that in any other city in the nation." Because of these horrible and sad experiences, King feels that all of his hopes, dreams, and wishes have been demolished and disappointment has overcame him and his fellow Negroes. King also refers to the bible when he states that nothing about civil obedience is new. He followed up that argument by providing evidence that Christians would not obey the unjust of the Roman Empire and faced "hungry lions and excruciating pain."

King was not afraid to let his voice be heard as a minority in his time. He admitted to being disappointed with the white citizens because he thought that they would understand law and order and the purpose for establishing justice and if they did fail, then there would be no social progress. The justice system was clearly unfair, but the people of the court system didn't care because they thought that the blacks didn't need or deserve these God given rights, because they were different from the white majority. Based on the personal viewed from the white society, they thought that they were much better and at a higher social ranking than those from the black society. Equality among the people was never a common ground to be settled upon.

Pathos: King uses a sentimental appeal when he states, "Perhaps it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say, "Wait." But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brother at whim..." He continues on in this manner and keeps describing with vivid detail examples or maybe even past experiences that he went through during his lifetime. This is clearly all pathos, because it touches the hearts of his readers and it makes them feel sad or hurt to know that the blacks went through this type of torture during their life and maybe even on a daily basis.

Ethos: King uses the "name calling strategy" to help support the ethos theory. In the paragraph where King extensively describes his and his family's day to day interaction and encounters with others, he recalls that he was "humiliated day in and day out by nagging signs reading "white" and "colored." Those official signs stating clearly just because they are black, they can't come into a white restaurant or place because of their racial background. Another name calling appears when he states "when your first name becomes "Nigger," your middle name becomes "boy" and your last name becomes "John," and your wife and mother are never given the respected title "Mrs."

Logos: King includes his own opinion, or hasty generalization when talking to the clergy about how his life has changed. "When you are harried by day and haunted by night by the fact that you are a Negro, living constantly at tiptoe stance, never quite knowing what to expect next, and are plagued with inner fears and outer resentments." He vividly describes with more detail that the blacks feel a sense of "nobodiness" and they find it difficult to wait for change. King says that black men and women have come to the point where they are not willing to become desperate and cry out in despair. King uses his own point of view, not really describing how others may feel or with any factual evidence. Some may have felt too afraid to speak up and say something, because they fear what the white citizens would do.

My Public Sphere Activity Proposal

Relay For Life is the signature activity of the American Cancer Society, that I am a proud to say I am a member of and love to help out within the activities that it creates. Relay For Life allows everyone in a community to participate in the fight against all types of cancer. Whether it is lung, colon, pancreatic, etc. Relay For Life is an event that strives to battle and kill these diseases. People are encouraged to create teams and camp out at local high schools, parks, or fairgrounds and take turns walking or running around a track or path. A representative from each team is asked to be on the track or course at all times during this event. Relays are an overnight event, held up to 24 hours in length. Teams involved in different sorts of cancer battles can walk and have fun while trying to raise much-needed funds in order to fight cancer and raise the awareness of prevention and treatment.

I have known from experience what it feels like to have a loved one pass away from cancer. This event has given me the chance to make friends with others that are also celebrating the lives of their friends or family, whether they have passed away or are currently fighting back their lives. In order to be able to gain knowledge from others pains and strengths, I have decided to dedicate my time and support into helping these people and it has allowed me to help myself as well.

The audience I am specifically targeting for my organization in order to get more members is college students our community. My fliers and brochure will be created in bright colors in order to capture the attention of the readers. The brochure will be written in a laid back tone that will invite the readers in and get them interested in being involved. The fliers and brochure are going to be written to point out that this organization is fun to be active in as well as something to work toward with great passion and commitment in order to fight back.

I plan on getting support from my audience by introducing all the benefits of being a part of this organization. Not only is this organization close to home, but members part of this organization are allowed to go out of town or to bigger cities to volunteer and meet new people for a great cause. It allows members to contribute to society and its fight and also a feeling of self worth, hope, and accomplishment.

Difficulties that arise within this organization are those that occur when members think it is too much work and stress. When people hear and think about volunteering, they aren't too excited. When a person volunteers, it's likely that they get nothing in return, which means they are less likely to do it. By being a proud supporter and advocate of this organization I am hoping to eliminate these voices and attitudese and convince people that volunteering is well worth it when it comes to saving lives. After all, if the situation was in reverse and it was your life at risk, wouldn't you want help?