Monday 12/12/16
T- 7 SCHOOL DAYS UNTIL
BREAK!
Journal:
Have your beliefs ever been challenged in a real way? I’m
not just talking about religious beliefs– I’m talking about your
emotional and ethical beliefs. Has your integrity every truly
been challenged?
Emotional- Characterized by intense feeling
Ethical- Of or relating to moral principals
Integrity- The state of being whole and undivided in your moral
principals
Agenda and Materials
• Journal
• Discussion
• Power Point
Background with
Questions for writing
and discussion
Paper
For the next three days there will be three parts
to the same formative. In order to get ANY
credit on the formative– you need all three
parts.
1
Notes
Discussion
Today is Part I (You
may place a ONE at
the top right corner of
your paper)
Instructions for the notes:
The questions you will be answering will be numbered and in
purple. If they state the word “DISCUSSION” after them– that
means that you are to write the question down– but that we will
discuss its answer.
All questions must be answered with at least 4 sentences. Make
these answers thoughtful and important to you.
Title of the notes:
“Letter From Birmingham Jail”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
1929-1968
Background for the notes:
For the next three days we’re going to be discussing “Letter
From Birmingham Jail”. This is a piece that was written by
Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 when he was arrested and sent to
jail because he and others were protesting the treatment of
blacks in Birmingham, Alabama.
A court had ordered that King could not hold protests in
Birmingham. Birmingham in 1963 was a hard place for blacks to
live in. Everything was segregated, from businesses to
churches to libraries. Blacks faced constant discrimination and
the constant threat of violence.
Biography
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“Letter From Birmingham Jail”
Born 1929 to minister in Atlanta, Georgia
Attended Morehouse College, Crozer Theological
Seminary, and obtained a Ph.D. from Boston
University
Married Coretta Scott and had four children
Became pastor in 1954
Led black boycott against segregated bus lines
Organized Southern Christian Leadership
Conference
1964 received Nobel Peace Prize
Historical Context

“Letter From Birmingham Jail”
Racial segregation was wide spread and the South was a
place of great racial tension. King along with others were in
non-violent battle to stop the segregation.
1. What do you think it means for a “battle” to be “nonviolent”? How can we fight something without actually
fighting?
2. Define Segregation in your own words.
Main Points

“Letter From Birmingham Jail”
All communities in America are related.
 “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
3. Explain this quote in your own words– what do
you think it really is saying?
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Four basic steps to nonviolent campaign:
 Collection of the facts to determine whether injustice existed
 Negotiation
 Self-purification
 Direct action
Main Points

“Letter From Birmingham Jail”
Nonviolent protests draw attention to what has previously been ignored.
4. Do you think that the protests that have happened lately are
non-violent? What have you heard? Share your knowledge.
DISCUSSION

Those with power and privilege don’t give up voluntarily; waiting for the
right time never comes.
 “We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and Godgiven rights. The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jetlike speed
toward gaining political independence, but we still creep at horse and
buggy pace toward gaining a cup of coffee at a lunch counter.”
5. WOW!  Imagine what it would be like to truly
experience this…
DISCUSSION
Tuesday 12/13
Journal:
Yesterday we started to talk about segregation in
the early 60s. We also discussed current
separation problems within our own country. Do
you think racism should be against the law?
Explain to me how you would enforce that and
why you think it should or shouldn’t be a
federal/state offense.
Agenda/Materials:
1.
2.
3.
Take out your paper from yesterday.
Take out a new sheet of paper.
Pen/ or pencil
ALL PHONES NEED TO BE
PUT AWAY! The next phone I
see is a referral!
Main Points

“Letter From Birmingham Jail”
Nonviolent protests draw attention to what has previously been ignored.
4. Do you think that the protests that have happened lately are
non-violent? What have you heard? Share your knowledge.
DISCUSSION

Those with power and privilege don’t give up voluntarily; waiting for the
right time never comes.
 “We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and Godgiven rights. The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jetlike speed
toward gaining political independence, but we still creep at horse and
buggy pace toward gaining a cup of coffee at a lunch counter.”
5. WOW!  Imagine what it would be like to truly
experience this…
DISCUSSION
Main Points
“Letter From Birmingham Jail”
Individuals have the moral responsibility to disobey unjust
laws.
6. Do you feel that this is true?
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Unjust laws are those who the majority compels the
minority to obey but does not make it binding on
themselves.
Main Points
“Letter From Birmingham Jail”
Quotes from the actual letter itself:
“The Negro has many pent-up resentments and latent frustrations, and he
must release them. So let him march;”
 The churches are not standing up to the moral responsibility.
 Two types of forces in the Negro community
-The complacent which are the ones who have adjusted to segregation.
-The other are those filled with bitterness and hatred who would advocate
violence.
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Final Exit Question
If the black community had waited as many suggested (to
protest and fight for their rights) would they have received the
rights they now have without some type of protests?
Same goes for the LGBTQ Community– if they had waited for a
different time…would they still be legally allowed to marry?
Consider the following facts, and come up with a
conclusion of your own. Do you truly think our world
would be what it is– if these people in our history had
waited for a better time?