Austin's English Blog

King says in his twelfth paragraph that, “Lamentably, it is an historical fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily.” He realizes that whom he is speaking to is the “privileged group.” The white clergymen are disinclined to hasten the process of civil freedom, not because they are against it, but because it is a natural and reoccurring attitude in history. We can see this in many occasions throughout time. In South Africa, much of the same racial prejudice was taking place. The white, aristocratic class did not want to create racial equality, just like segregated America. In colonial times, the British did not want to relieve colonists from excessive taxing because that’s how they retained power. Both of these examples were ones where the privileged did not give up control voluntarily. South Africa was changed by international pressure, and colonial America was changed by revolution. I believe that King wants the clergymen to see the same conclusion; that change will not take place if the Negroes wait for the privileged to relinquish their power, and steps must be taken immediately to see an end to segregation. This adds emotional and historical relevancy to his letter and instigates a logical appeal for action. Not only is this a pivotal point in the development of his argument, but it is also a biting accusation aimed at the white clergyman to whom he is responding to. He cannot directly say that the clergymen are of the privileged class. This would discredit himself by making him seem impatient, intolerant, and antagonizing. Instead, he hints towards the fact of the matter and hopes that the priests will be aware enough to realize their position. King hopes that if they come to realize how they are treating the matter, they would feel the same sense of urgency that King describes throughout his letter. The placement of this quote is also quite important. The preceding few paragraphs explain the reason for King’s presence in Birmingham; however, the next few describe the emotions felt by the segregated. The placement forms a smooth transition from King’s personal convictions and actions to the problems of all Negroes in America, changing the scope from personal to universal. This creates flow and steady pacing in his letter. In addition, this quote is a most basic summary of racial tensions across segregated America. It embodies the reason that civil rights are being withheld from the Negroes. The clergymen are reminded by this quote that they, the privileged, are withholding equality, and that even though they may be of the church, they are no less contributing to segregation. Personally, I find the quote to be radically insightful. I do not believe that white clergymen of the time would be used to this “accusation.” They are leveled with those preventing justice in the letter, a humbling categorization that the men of the church would not be accustomed to. This quote adds many logical developments in his letter, shows an intellectual examination of the current situation in King’s time period that is comparable to other historical events, and creates an even transition in his writing. It also creates an epithetical feeling for the under-privileged, adding pathos to his paper. These elements combined make this quote compelling to myself.