Dr. Martin Luther King’s letter to clergymen uses many of President Thomas Jefferson’s intellectual concepts in writing the Declaration of Independence of America. To establish an emotional and fundamental bond with clergymen, Dr. King references Jefferson’s more idealistic approach while pointing out Jefferson’s less practical approach. Jefferson was less direct in incorporating religion into his writings and doctrines, but King’s ideas and reasoning through God closely match those of President Abraham Lincoln. King’s letter to his prison cell combines the approaches of both Presidents and makes it quite compelling.
Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence explains that “if any Form of Government is destructive of these purposes, it will be the Right of People to alter, abolish, and to institute a new Government, basing its foundation upon such principles and organizing its powers so as to effect their Safety and Happiness.” [1] The British treated colonials with little respect. Jefferson created a document which ensured that the safety and rights to the citizens of the new country were protected at all costs. Jefferson claims that all men were created equal. However, King sees Jefferson’s concept of constituents challenging government as more important. King believed that all men were created equal, but it was important to recognize and understand differences in order for equality. After Dr. King and his followers were reprimanded for their “unwise and untimely protests”, he responded “that the new government must be prodded approximately as much as is the outgoing one before its acts.” [2] Dr. King felt the Birmingham administrations had failed to fulfill their promise to desegregate some institutions. Jefferson’s spokesman Dr. King was adamant that the Lord’s judgments are righteous and true. This alludes back to Lincoln’s belief about God punishing the United States with the Civil War. Dr. King claims that unjust laws need to be broken. Saint Augustine is also quoted by Dr. King. He states, “an unjust Law is no law at any law.” Although it might seem strange to compare Lincoln’s concept of God to Dr. King, there are obvious similarities. While Dr. King protested in Birmingham to address the debate over racial equality and God caused the war to be enacted as a result of slavery in the United States, the similarities are striking. All of these events, whether they are worldly or otherworldly in nature, emphasise Lincoln’s belief that religion is a path to equality. King saw God’s devotion as the key to unity across the races. Lincoln saw God’s actions only as a consequence for man’s atrocities. King saw God’s actions and loyalty as rewards.
While King’s letter shares many similarities with the addresses of the Presidents, their foundations are fundamentally different. Jefferson and King were writing their publications to address inequality. But the Declaration of Independence was created to separate the colonists of British Empire. King’s letter on the contrary was intended to help clergymen understand King and his supporters and then to unify the black and white churches. Lincoln believed that the Civil War had been God’s natural response. King thought trusting God and living a religiously reflective life would be key to unlocking doors to equality.
Although Dr. King did not directly quote or refer to the thoughts of Jefferson and Lincoln, there are many similarities between their words and actions. Jefferson and King view man’s rights as inherent and inalienable. Lincoln and King believe that God will bring justice to all who trust Him. Today, racial inequalities are a hot topic. It is important to examine historical texts like King’s Letter From a Birmingham Jail to see how our current problems relate to those of the past.
Cites
[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence
[2]: https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html
[3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln%27s_second_inaugural_address
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