Question

The following is the Birmingham News Advertisement directed at Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Birmingham News. April 12, 1963.
(Underlining is from original)

We the undersigned clergymen are among those who, in January, issued "An Appeal for Law and Order and Common Sense," in dealing with racial problems in Alabama. We expressed understanding that honest convictions in racial matters could properly be pursued in the courts, but urged that decisions of those courts should in the meantime be peacefully obeyed.
Since that time there had been some evidence of increased forbearance and a willingness to face facts. Responsible citizens have undertaken to work on various problems which cause racial friction and unrest. In Birmingham, Recent public events have given indication that we all have opportunity for a new constructive and realistic approach to racial problems.
However, we are now confronted by a series of demonstrations by some of our Negro citizens, directed and led in part by outsiders. We recognize the natural impatience of people who feel that their hopes are slow in being realized. But we are convinced that these demonstrations are unwise and untimely.
We agree rather with certain local Negro leadership which has called for honest and open negotiation of racial issues in our area. And we believe this kind of facing of issues can best be accomplished by citizens of our own metropolitan area, white and Negro, meeting with their knowledge and experience of the local situation. All of us need to face that responsibility and find proper channels for its accomplishment.
Just as we formerly pointed out that "hatred and violence have no sanction in our religious and political traditions," we also point out that such actions as incite to hatred and violence, however technically peaceful those actions may be, have not contributed to the resolution of our local problems. We do not believe that these days of new hope are days when extreme measures are justified in Birmingham.
We commend the community as a whole, and the local news media and law enforcement officials in particular, on the calm manner in which these demonstrations have been handled. We urge the public to continue to show restraint should the demonstrations continue, and the law enforcement officials to remain calm and continue to protect our city from violence.
We further strongly urge our own Negro community to withdraw support from these demonstrations, and to unite locally in working peacefully for a better Birmingham. When rights are consistently denied, a cause should be pressed in the courts and in negotiations among local leaders, and not in the streets. We appeal to both our white and Negro citizenry to observe the principles of law and order and common sense.
Signed by
C.C.J. Carpenter, D.D. LL.D. Bishop of Alabama
Joseph A. Durick, D.D.,Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Mobile-Birmingham
Rabbi Milton L. Grafman, Temple Emanu-El, Birmingham, Alabama
Bishop Paul Hardin, Bishop of the Alabama-West florida Conference of the Methodist Church
Bishop Nolan B. Harmon, Bishop of the North Alabama Conference of the Methodist Church
George M. Murray, D.D., LL.D., Bishop Coadjustor, Episcopal Diocese of Alabama
Edward V. Ramage, Moderator, Synod of the Alabama Presbyterian Church in the United States
Earl Stallings, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama








Answer in full sentences, if you want full credit.


1.What does the word “clergy “ mean?


2.Why is it important that this letter labels demonstration leaders as “outsiders”?


3.The authors label demonstrations as “untimely”, is there such thing as a “timely” act of protest? Why or why not?

4.What is the alternative to direct action, according to the letter, which should be preferred when combating racial injustice?



PARAGRAPH ANSWER (please answer with a few complete sentences)


1.Who are two of the intended audiences for this letter? Why do you think they are the intended audience?


2.Do you think this letter represents ideals of authenticity or tradition? Why do you say that?

Answer 1

1. **Clergy** refers to religious leaders, such as priests, ministers, and rabbis, who hold positions of authority within a religious organization.

2. Labeling demonstration leaders as "outsiders" is important in order to distance the local leadership and community from the influence of external individuals or groups. This can be an attempt to undermine the credibility of the demonstrations by implying that they are driven by forces outside the local context.

3. The letter suggests that demonstrations are "untimely," implying that there could be a "timely" act of protest. The authors likely mean that while protest can be a powerful tool for change, they believe that the specific circumstances or current state of affairs may not be conducive to achieving the desired outcomes through demonstrations at that particular moment.

4. According to the letter, the alternative to direct action, or street demonstrations, is pursuing change through legal and negotiated means. The authors advocate for engaging in honest and open negotiations among local leaders, and seeking redress through the courts when rights are denied.

**Paragraph Answers**:

1. Two of the intended audiences for this letter are the local community, both white and Negro citizens, and law enforcement officials. The authors address the local community to encourage peaceful negotiation and discourage demonstrations. Law enforcement officials are addressed to maintain calm and protect the city. The intended audiences are likely because they hold influence over the actions and reactions within the city.

2. This letter represents ideals of **tradition**. The authors, who are prominent religious leaders, emphasize principles of "law and order" and "common sense." They reference religious and political traditions and advocate for negotiation and legal avenues, reflecting a conservative and established approach to addressing issues.

Step-by-step explanation: