Letter From Birmingham Jail

Comparing Dr. King's letter from Birmingham Jail to anything else is a very difficult task. His writing was passionate, intelligent, political, religious, and powerful. However, I have selected a piece of writing that I feel can be compared to Dr. King's work, if only in the smallest degree.

An article written by Peter Singer in which Singer analyzes the voter turnout and loyalty in Australia. Although this article lacks the political and cultural magnitude of Dr. King's letter, both employ similar persuasive techniques. Singer presents his audience with facts, raw facts just as King. After establishing facts, both authors analyze the current situation of the public and line out different options that reader (their audience) has to consider. However, Dr. King directly involves his audience by asking questions, getting them to think and give more thought to the idea he wishes to convey. The biggest difference in the two items is the length and detail. The letter from Birmingham Jail was much longer and very detailed. Singer's article was detailed and focused but not to the degree as King's.

I found this exercise to be more difficult than I had expected. Dr. King's letter is just such a powerful and influential piece of work and history that it is very hard to find any other sort of persuasive document that falls in a such a unique category. The letter not only provoked emotion and response from the intended audience, but also from our nation. With such a powerful and lasting impact as this letter and all of Dr. King's other works, it is 'difficult' to compare it to anything much less an article relating to my major. However, I did enjoy reading the letter and broadening my knowledge of the Civil Rights Movement, a truly powerful and important part of our country's history.