In his letter, Dr. King responds to criticism for his participation in the civil rights demonstration that landed him in jail. The letter is specifically directed towards clergymen that attempt to argue logically, yet King proves his argument to be more sound. Although at the beginning of the letter, King appears to regard the clergymen as “fellow clergymen” (142), it becomes apparent later that when he addresses them as equals, he is not trying to be sycophantic, instead sarcastic.

Dr. King makes a point to use the clergy’s arguments against them. In their condemnation of King’s techniques, the clergy argue that King’s ways contribute to “violent and disruptive behavior”. However, King justifies his own attendance at the demonstration by saying that a group associated with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference “asked (us) to be on call to engage in a nonviolent direct-action program if such were deemed necessary” (143). This points out that King was not an unsought troublemaker, on the contrary an invited guide.

King uses the term and title of clergyman more properly than those who condemned him did. He believed that as clergy, they were duty-

King attempts all throughout the letter to bring shame on the clergymen, so that they are unable to dispute his claims without the appearance of being irrational. He appears to taunt the readers of the letter and at one point, seems to become more emotionally influenced. He does realize though, that if he allows his emotions to dictate his writing, that the clergy will become more angry and possibly throw the letter away without finishing. This would have defeated Dr. King’s purpose in Birmingham and the purpose of his letter. As an alternative, King mentions irrefutable events and facts. He recalls unjust treatment in the courts, bombings of homes, and general brutality towards Negroes. King is appalled at the clergy’s mention that the police worked hard towards keeping order and preventing violence, to the point where they should be commended. He says, “I doubt that you would[…]commend the policemen[…]If you were to watch them push and curse old Negro women and young Negro girls” (154). King makes no reference in the letter to the powerful water hoses and the German shepherd police dogs that were used by the firemen and the policemen of Birmingham against demonstrators as directed by police commissioner Eugene ("Bull") Connor. However, he does make reference to Connor’s directives regarding the treatment of black inmates and demonstrators. He cites the refusal of the policemen to provide them food because they wanted to sing grace together.

King later picks up the pace of his argument by reminding the clergy that they have never lived the painful and brutal lives that the Negro has. He asks the clergy if they would wait to act against racism if they had watched “vicious mobs lynch (their) mothers and fathers at will and drown (their) sisters and brothers at whim” (145). Dr. King has a eloquent way with his words in comparing the treatment of Negroes with how the clergy would react if the unjust treatment were directed towards them. King attempts to tap into people’s compassion towards children to try and describe his ow

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