The Importance of Logos in "Letters from a Birmingham Jail"

                As we have learned from the previous blogs, King's audience were the the white preachers and clergymen who accused his nonviolent campaign of being extreme and troublesome. Therefore King's speech was an attempt to persuade his audience (WHITE clergymen and preachers) that his nonviolent campaigns were necessary but they were not troublesome. Henceforth King's appeal to logos proves historically that “extremist” causes are not always wrong, and can bring about positive, much needed change. 

• "So I, along with several members of my staff, am here because I was invited here. I am here because I have organizational ties here."
• "In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self purification; and direct action. We have gone through all these steps in Birmingham." 

               The above quotes from MLK's letter reiterate his goal of persuading the clergymen that his cause is just and that his organized nonviolent protest are not meant to cause trouble, but to correct the wrong that was being done in Birmingham.  Additionally to King's logical appeal was the answer to why did he come there. King pointed out that injustice existed and action needed to be taken. These injustices included lunching, public places exclusivity toward the black community, drowning’s, and the list goes on.  The way the letter is composed it is to inform the clergymen of the just cause driving these protest and that is ill treatment of blacks. Secondly he addresses the type of injustice that he is referring to, so the clergymen know exactly what is driving the protest. Logic is MLK's most powerful tool in this letter because he makes strong claims and supports them with strong evidence. He attacks, refutes, and corrects the accusations from the clergymen and gives evidence as to why their views and opinions were wrong.