at stake.”(King, Pg.4) He discusses Nebuchadnezzar and how people in that time refused to obey his laws because they were unjust, just as he did in Birmingham. Socrates, the Boston tea party, early Christians who gave their lives for their religion. These historical events gave King an edge in his persuasiveness. Now he isn’t just someone who has broken laws, now he is now just like all other famous ancient historical figures. However he also addresses his “Negro brothers” in paragraph 14, when he describes what its like to have to tell your children that they cant go somewhere or do something because they are black, or what it is like to watch as your family is beaten or lynched in front of your eyes. He is directing this at the black community of Birmingham by letting them know that he understands the injustice that is occurring and also letting the white people partially understand how wrong it is to be kept from somewhere just because of your color.Martin Luther King Jr.’s ability to recall historical events and his ability to relate to the common person give his writing a persuasiveness that no one person can ignore. He is an intelligent African American who has been jailed unjustly and still holds no grudges. He uses historical facts and religious references as logos and pathos towards the white clergy and uses his pathos of being a black man in an unjust world to appeal to the black society being unfairly treated. Being able to direct at two significantly different audiences and still make a legitimate point makes this a very persuasive letter....
