The letter that Dr. King writes while imprisoned for a peaceful demonstration in Birmingham is an excellent window into the minds of the strong advocates for civil rights changes in America during the time. While a local paper calls these demonstration Doctor King led unwise, Doctor King writes this letter to say otherwise. His main point is while the paper says now is not the time for such demonstrations, King sees the present as no better time because of the discrimination they have faced. It may put some in an awkward situation, but that is nothing in comparison to the social injustice the African American population has endured. They are no longer willing to wait for the equal treatment that is promised to them in the Constitution. Many white people of this time are annoyed and want the African American Population to just wait it out until their freedom for oppression comes. In King’s eyes, waiting is the worst thing they can do because that allows the oppressors to be comfortable in their current situation and not have to move towards change.

Many of King’s point from this letter still ring true to this day with our current social movement. Those who are not oppressed see no need for such demonstrations and feel uncomfortable at the sign of them. This uncomfortable feeling that those experience is what the oppressed strive for because that is what creates gradual change. While we might feel like certain social movements are unnecessary, we must put ourselves in the shoes of those whom are oppressed. Only then can we truly understand the pain they go through just for being different from others. While many wish the African American population would continue to wait, they are just looking for a way to delay the inevitable. Total equal treatment under law will come and that scares some of us, but it shouldn’t. America is a place of freedom for all and all citizens must honor that. If we want to celebrate how everyone is different from one another, we cannot punish those who are too different from us for our own comfort.