before his victory in Birmingham, Negro babies could expect to be born into a ghetto to poor parents, and grow up playing in the streets rather than parks due to the inadequate colored parks (King 171). King fought to desegregate the city keeping protesters peaceful and under control at all times despite the violence of the police his people restrained themselves from resorting to violence. Without his methods of nonviolence Birmingham could have been a city over run with riots. At one point King was arrested and sent to solitary confinement in Birmingham Jail. While incarcerated King wrote a letter to 8 clergy men who had condemned the direct action of the movement, and suggested it be taken up in the courts. King explained the aim of direct action as a way to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue (American reformers). His message was accepted, the Birmingham campaign was successful: through nonviolence, black and white leaders had agreed on desegregation. King received many accolades for his role as a civil rights leader including; honorary degrees, foundation awards and grants, being named Time Magazine Man of the Year, and being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1963,. He accepted his Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the movement stating, the answer to the crucial political and moral question of our time; the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence (American reformers). King was rising to the top and was pushing to crush segregation. Dr. King like any other public figure had his critics and opposition. Most notably was J Edgar Hoover director of the FBI (Carson). Hoovers bureau tapped the SLC and Kings phone lines. Hoover went as attacking King as a man in official memos and in government meetings. He was convinced that King was a traitor, a communist, and a deeply immora...
