Letter from Birmingham Jail" is a clearly written essay that explains the reasons behind, and the methods of nonviolent civil disobedience, and gently expresses King's disappointment with those who are generally supportive of equal rights for African-Americans. " Martin Luther King, more than any other figure, shaped American life from the mid-'50s to the late '60s. This was a time when large numbers of Americans, barely recognized as such by sanctioned power, dared to …showed first 75 words of 418 total…

…showed last 75 words of 418 total…citizens. He set out to bring equality for people everywhere. So often they had become victims of broken promise (155). As a result, he was determined to create an unstoppable organization, reshape a struggle and with his articulated vision, craft a strategy that took defeats and turned them into victories. Although fellow clergymen urged him not to come to Birmingham, he could not sit idly and be unconcerned with the maddening demonstrations that were taking place.