We discussed the Birmingham letter in class and it was very interesting to obtain more background for why that letter was written. In the letter the clergymen are criticizing the demonstrations and encouraging the black community to work in peace and to press for their rights in courts, rather than in the streets. MLK rightfully calls out the tone deafness and privilege of these men in his letter from Birmingham Jail, but does so in a very reasonable and calm manner. Why should the black community only protest in ways approved by its oppressors and according to governors they had no part in electing? Having read MLK’s letter beforehand made this statement even more infuriating to read. It fails to acknowledge the frustrations of the black community, and instead praises the law enforcement officials that ‘protected the city from violence.’ From reading MLK’s letter I know that this is not true and that the demonstrators were non violent, but the treatment the police gave them was in fact not.