Continued Thoughts on "A Letter From Birmingham Jail"...

Throughout the rest of the piece Martin Luther King still draws from his very important premise the only thing that that I owe the government is to do what I feel is right. Unlike Thoreau's "Resistance to a Civil Government" this piece isn't a philosophical argument it's more of a call to political action. For example Martin Luther King Jr. lays out his four basic steps in a nonviolent campaign which are, "collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self purification; and direct action." He clearly and in great detail explains each step and also explains and gives rebuttals to criticism against each step. I feel this piece is a perfect model for nonviolent political action and it also affirms Thoreau's belief in citizen's rights.

Thoughts on "Letter from a Birmingham Jail"...

Letter from a Birmingham Jail was written in April 1963 by Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. This letter was written to promote nonviolent political change. This political argument is similar to Resistance to a Civil Government by Henry David Thoreau. Martin Luther King draws upon the same idea that Thoreau had which was the only thing that that I owe the government is to do what I feel is right. I feel that that idea is a very significant premise to build any political movement on because the government main objective should be to serve its people and if the people don't feel that that's what is happening they should do what they feel is right to catch the government's attention. I look forward to discussing this very important philosophical piece and seeing what other ideas Martin Luther King Jr. presents in his letter.

Follow the link to read....http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html

Thoughts on "Resistance to Civil Government"....

Resistance to Civil Government or Civil Disobedience as it is commonly referred to is a philosophical argument written by Henry David Thoreau. Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi drew upon this very important political piece to start their political movements. Often after reading this piece some people ask if this a piece written in support of anarchy, but I disagree with that thought. An anarchist tries to destroy the current government or administration for the sake of the own political gains. Henry David Thoreau doesn't try to destroy the current government he is criticizing it and offering his opinion on how to fix the situation. In the first couple pages we read in class Thoreau argues that government doesn't prove itself useful and it receives it's power from the majority because they have the strongest group not because they have legitimate good ideas. This is a pretty deep and critical political and philosophical arguement I look forward to exploring Thoreau's ideas more in class.

To read follow the link : http://www.transcendentalists.com/civil_disobedience.htm