Readership Surrounding Race in King’s Letter

Readership surrounding Race in King’s Letter
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Readership surrounding Race in King’s Letter
Authors in past and contemporary society settings aimed at creating different notions surrounding their works; the same idea was also applicable in art. In writing, readership is achieved using different literary devices to enable the author advance their intended notion. Some common forms of readership include the issue of race, gender equality, and justice. In his Letter, King vividly brings out the concept of readership surrounding race. This essay proposes to show how there is a readership around King’s Letter that involves racial identity. The readership is explicated through interaction of the text in regard to the rhetorical cues that the author uses, and his main arguments. Direct quotes are also borrowed from the Letter to clearly bring out the readership.
King paints the image of Birmingham being the most segregated city in the U.S to show how racial identity was an issue in the South. He also shows that the policy of segregation and racism were widespread in the South (Rieder, 2014). He proves his point by giving concrete examples of why protesting and raising attention on desegregation was needed (King Jr., 2012). The tone and emphasis that King lays on the issue of racism help the reader to create an image of a region were racism was deeply rooted, and something that was disgusting to people like King (King & Vivian, 2013). King also lists the burdens faced by African Americans on a national scale, and the negative impacts of the actions and policies on mental health. Therefore, King successfully brings out the concept of readership surrounding race by evoking images of violence like drowning and lynching, and economic violence like poverty and emotional toll on children and women. His disgust at such events is well spelt out.
King points out to the deep roots of racism in Birmingham city by highlighting the record of police brutality against African Americans, unfair application of the rule of law, and unsolved bombings of Negro churches and homes. King brings out such records to appeal to the reader regarding the extent of racism within the city (Brewer & Heitzeg, 2008). African Americans in Birmingham were extremely oppressed due to their race (Foner, 2016). The issue raised concerns and intrigued involvement of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights to push for human rights and stamping out of racism. However, this change could not be achieved without intense pressure on the new mayor, as King convinces readers (Arah, 2013). The picture that King paints is one of a city in which the rights of African Americans were outright abused and called for respect for human rights ignored. The readership in this case is that African Americans could only achieve independence through pressure and use of uncivilized means.
King also shows the extent of racism in the society as one beyond discussion. In the Letter, King argues that the only way to generate change in the city was through involving his fellow protesters in creating constructive tension on the mayor (Richardson III, 2015). The author shows that the readership surrounding race featured su...